cuSTEM Journeys

Software engineer explains how you can get paid to learn in tech apprenticeship. Catherine Booker is now a Software Engineer at Bloomberg through @catalyte apprenticeship program. During this interview we discuss how she got accepted into the program, what life is like as a software engineer, and how you can be successful too.0:00 Intro3:38 Preparing for Catalyte program7:14 Is the program self-pa...

Check out this episode of the cuSTEM Journeys podcast to find out how to become a linux systems engineer in 10 months. By completing the Yellow Tail Tech program, King Venord was able to go from making $40k/year as a Medical Assistant to over $100k/year as a Linux Systems Engineer. You can find out more about the Yellow Tail Tech program here (full transparency: this is an affiliate link):https://...

From Converse, to GameStop, to Capital Factory venture capital associate. In episode 41, Tanaka Tava reveals how he landed his first job as a venture capital associate after graduating from Baylor University. In this episode we cover Tanaka Tava's entrepreneurship journey, and provides tips for how other founders can successfully raise capital.0:00 Intro2:09 What do VC associates do7:59 Tava Multi...

In episode 40 of the cuSTEM Journeys interview we talk with Mike Martin , a Product Manager who works on the NBA fantasy and Betting app Pick'em. During this interview we talk about Mike's career journey from Inglewood, CA to Georgetown where he majored in Computer Science. After graduating, he worked for General Mills before moving on to the NBA. Check out this interview to hear Mike's unique sto...

In episode 39 of the cuSTEM Journeys podcast Ishvarus "Ish" Davis gives the steps he took to build a successful engineering career in Silicon Valley. Before becoming an Engineering Manager at Meta Ish worked at IBM and attended the University of Pittsburg where he studied Computer Science. Watch this episode to find out how Ish went from Waycross, GA to Silicon Valley, including having 6 internshi...

Selam Degefu transitioned from healthcare to tech after finishing a Flatiron coding bootcamp. Check out this interview if you want to learn how you can break into tech and how a bootcamp can help prepare you for a software engineering role. After completing the FlatIron bootcamp, Selam landed a job at JP Morgan Chase through their Emerging Talent Program. Click the link below to check out the Emer...

Check out this interview to find out how Jeremiah Walker, a military vet turned Cybersecurity pro goes from 50k to six figures in 2 yearsJeremiah was able to increase his salary from $50K to $140K in only 2 years after making a series of strategic moves that helped him rapidly progress his Cybersecurity career. Check out this interview to find out how Jeremiah built a successful Cybersecurity care...

In this interview Jennifer Plummer, Engineering Manager at PROS, discusses how she went from software engineer to engineering manager. We also discuss what she looks for in candidates, how to progress your career, and how coding bootcamps are changing the workforce. Jennifer is also the host of PROS podcast, Interface. Click the link below to check out the Interface podcast on all streaming platfo...

Dropout turned software engineer, Eric Deleon, explains how he found success despite dropping out high school. Eric is a creative designer turned software engineer, and owner of 132 Design. In this interview we discuss Eric's career journey including, how he became a successful entrepreneur, the most-common mistakes entrepreneurs make, how he became a software engineer, and his plans for the futur...

The founder and CEO of TRAINR, Jeremy Gaston, explains how his experience as a product designer has helped become a successful entrepreneur and build an amazing app. In this episode we take a deep dive into the world of product design - we discuss:The skills it takes to be a product designerThe rule of thumb for defining your revenue modelAdvice for breaking into tech without college experienceTRA...

Destin Bell is a 23 year old CEO who is revolutionizing cardio through the development of his fitness app Cardii.io. In Destin's entrepreneurial journey he has moved from Kentucky to Austin to Houston, managed to raise $50K from Niantic (the makers of Pokemon Go), and is currently raising $2 Million to launch and scale his app. Cardii.io is a revolutionary app that gamifies fitness by allowing you...

If you're interested in making a career change to tech check out this interview with DEI Program Manager, Kenefra Carter. After completing the Google Certification in 6 WEEKS she was able to land a Customer Success Manager at The Mom Project. Despite having to drop out of college after having a baby at 21, being laid off because of the pandemic, and not having the ideal Tech credentials, Kenefra w...

In this episode of the cuSTEM journeys podcast, Mike Roberts discusses how he is using apprenticeships programs to train the next generation of tech workers. A tech apprenticeship program allows students to become full-time employees (with benefits) of a tech company, and get paid will learning how to code. In this interview, we discuss Mike's journey to building Creating Coding Careers, and what...

Tristen Alexander explains how he went from being a college dropout to getting into it without a degree. After taking Google's Coursera Certification Tristen was able to get into IT career. Despite dropping out of college and not having any formal IT experience, Tristen was able to go from working in a Call Center to IT without a degree. Click the link below to check out Google's Career Certificat...

In this episode of the cuSTEM journeys podcast engineer turned investment banker, Dominic Smith, explains how his engineering background has helped him have a successful career in investment banking. In this episode, we review how much money investment bankers make, the day in the life of an investment banker, the value of an MBA, and more. Dominic also details his experience as a Math major at Mo...

Civil Engineering student turned real estate developer, Demetrice Ballenger, gives a master class on real estate and discusses why he had to drop out of college. During this interview we also discussed + How Engineering helped prepare him to be a successful real estate developer + Demetrice's experience at a HBCU (Prairie View A&M) + How much money you can make as a real estate developer + Why...

In this interview of the cuSTEM journeys podcast, Anna Selser breaks down her journey from engineer to brand marketing manager. After majoring in Biomedical Engineering at Case University (Cleveland, Ohio), Anna worked as Sales Engineer before returning to school for an MBA. Since graduating with an MBA, Anna has become a successful brand marketing manager for Red Bull. In this clip Anna describes...

Chef Keesha O'Galdez is an Engineer turned Chef. Since being laid off during the 2008 financial crisis, Chef Keesha has gone on to become a successful Culinary Entrepreneur, and was recently featured on Food Network's hit show "Chopped". In this episode of the cuSTEM journeys podcast we talk with Chef Keesha about her journey from Engineer to Culinary Entrepreneur. In addition to providing advice...

We are beginning Black History month by featuring one of the original founding members of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), George Smith. In this interview, we discuss how NSBE was created. Mr. Smith shares how the guidance of Dr. Arthur Bond was instrumental to the creation and success of NSBE. He also discusses what inspired him to pursue Engineering, imposter syndrome, and how we...

In this episode, Lee Arnold breaks down how he was able to transition from being a Teacher in HISD to becoming a Scrum Master and Project Manager. After getting a Scrum Master certification, Lee attended Digital Crafts coding bootcamp where he gained the skills to help him be a successful Scrum Master for C Panel. Every week we highlight successful Black and Latino STEM professionals. Be sure to s...

In this episode of the cuSTEM journeys podcast we interview Mechanical Engineer turned Coding Bootcamp instructor Veronica Lino. During this interview we chat with Veronica about her journey from being a NASA engineer to a coding bootcamp instructor for Digital Crafts. We also get Veronica's thoughts on the following:1. The pros and cons of doing a Coding Bootcamp vs Self Taught2. How to Choose th...

In this episode Clarissa Hernandez breaks down how she accomplished her dream job of being an Engineer at Disney World. In order to get her foot in the door, Clarissa first interned at Disney World as a Custodian. She then went on to intern as an Engineer at Disney World, but didn't receive an offer to return as a full-time employee. After working at Universal Studios for nearly 5 years, and worki...

This episode features the Senior Product Designer for CONVOZ, Dave Giles II. Before working for CONVOZ, Dave was a History grad from the University of Washington St. Louis, worked for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) in D.C., did design work for Macys.com, worked for ESSENCE, and worked as a freelance designer. In this episode Dave walks us through his Tech journey and details the di...

In this episode, we chat with Joél Ramirez, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Quirk Chat, and discussed his journey through tech. Since completing a Coding Bootcamp a few years ago, Joél has had a meteoric rise through Tech. In this episode, he talks about the highs and lows of his journey, including being laid off by one of his previous employers. He also provides a ton of advice including:1....

This episode of cuSTEM journeys features Taylor Shead, the co-founder and CEO of STEMuli. Taylor details her journey from being a college athlete to a successful entrepreneur, and her goals for STEMuli to become the leading education technology company. STEMuli allows K-12 students to have engaging learning experiences inside of the Metaverse. STEMuli is currently adopted by Dallas ISD. You can fi...