Jazmin Diaz's career story dismantles the myth that you need perfect credentials to succeed in technology. Her path from middle school administrative assistant to Chief of Staff at a cybersecurity company demonstrates how curiosity, authenticity, and strategic relationship-building can accelerate professional growth.

Episode Highlights:
Jazmin shares her unique background growing up between two cultures - born in California, raised in Mexico until age nine, then returning to relearn English and navigate American educational systems. This experience shaped her ability to connect with others facing similar challenges, particularly at-risk students during her time working in education.
The conversation reveals practical strategies for career transitions, including how she researched transferable skills, leveraged informational interviews, and ultimately secured her first tech role through networking rather than traditional applications. Her willingness to start as a receptionist - despite years of experience - proved essential for getting her foot in the door.

Key Takeaways:
- Networking authentically means building relationships without immediate agenda
- Being uncomfortable signals growth opportunities worth pursuing
- Self-advocacy requires data and strategic timing, not just confidence
- Starting at entry level in a new industry can fast-track learning and advancement
- Salary negotiation extends beyond base pay to stock options, bonuses, and benefits
- Vulnerability and authenticity create stronger professional connections than perfection

Resources Mentioned:
Book: "Ignite Your Growth" by Jazmin Diaz (English)
Book: "Enciende Tu Crecimiento" by Jazmin Diaz (Spanish)
Business: Flourish Learning and Development

Connect with Our Guest:
Jazmin Diaz is available for speaking engagements, workshops, and coaching through Flourish Learning and Development. Her book is available in both English and Spanish editions.

About Career Downloads:
Each episode features professionals sharing real experiences, setbacks, and breakthroughs to help you manage your own career with greater success. Host Manuel Martinez brings conversations that go beyond surface-level advice to uncover actionable insights you can apply immediately.

Episode Highlights:
Join host Manuel Martinez for an inspiring conversation with Rishma Khimji, the pioneering CIO of Harry Reid International Airport. Her story begins with constant movement - nine cities across two countries - and leads to managing technology systems that serve millions of travelers annually.
Rishma's career trajectory breaks conventional wisdom about climbing corporate ladders. Starting as a junior programmer debugging code for IBM, she discovered her true calling lay in making technology invisible to end users. Her public sector experience spans water utilities, police departments, and now aviation - each role teaching her how technology should serve humanity, not the other way around.

Key Takeaways:
- Embrace Your Migration Story: Constant change teaches adaptability and opens doors you never imagined
- Failure Equals Course Correction: Build backup plans (A, B, and C) because your primary approach won't always work
- Technology Should Be Invisible: The best systems are the ones passengers never think about
- Community Amplifies Success: Surround yourself with people who champion your growth
- Apply at 50% Qualification: Stop waiting until you're 100% ready - most learning happens on the job
- AI as Augmented Influence: Use technology to enhance your capabilities, not replace your humanity

Resources Mentioned:
- "Smart Brevity" book referenced by Manuel
- Airport common-use technology systems
- RFID baggage tracking implementation
- Public sector technology transformation strategies

About Rishma Khimji:
Rishma serves as Chief Information Officer for the Clark County Department of Aviation, managing technology operations for Harry Reid International Airport and four general aviation facilities. Her leadership spans over 25 years in technology, with experience transforming operations across utilities, law enforcement, and aviation sectors. She's recognized for her innovative approaches to making technology serve community needs.

Connect with Our Guest:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishmakhimji/

Next Steps:
Ready to accelerate your tech career? Subscribe to Career Downloads for weekly episodes featuring leaders who've navigated unconventional paths to success. Each conversation delivers actionable insights you can implement immediately.

Episode Overview
Angie Cosca's career journey challenges every assumption about traditional tech career paths. Starting with no formal computer science education, she taught herself HTML using Notepad, worked her way up through help desk support, and eventually became CIO of a major healthcare organization - all while staying with the same company for 23 years.
Her story demonstrates the power of curiosity, relationship-building, and continuous learning in creating a successful technology career.

Key Takeaways

On Career Development:
- Formal education isn't required for tech success, but continuous learning is non-negotiable
- Taking on responsibilities beyond your job description opens unexpected opportunities
- Building relationships across the organization matters as much as technical skills

On Leadership:
- Understanding business workflows and pain points enables better technology solutions
- Collaborative hiring processes involving other departments improve team dynamics
- Second opinions and diverse perspectives strengthen decision-making

On Healthcare IT:
- Technology professionals in healthcare indirectly save lives by ensuring reliable systems
- Vendor relationships should be partnerships, not just transactions
- AI implementation requires careful change management to avoid employee fear

Guest Background
Angie Cosca serves as Chief Information Officer at Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging (SDMI), where she oversees IT infrastructure, compliance, and security for 12 locations serving 550+ employees. The organization processes approximately 500,000 diagnostic studies annually, including MRIs, CTs, X-rays, and ultrasounds.
Beyond her corporate role, Angie is President of ISSA Las Vegas and dedicates extensive time to mentoring through IT Works, a 16-week intensive program helping disadvantaged students transition into technology careers.

Resources Mentioned
- IT Works: 16-week intensive IT program for disadvantaged students
- ISSA Las Vegas: Information Systems Security Association chapter
- PACS: Picture Archival Communication System for medical imaging
- UNLV Negotiation Course: Referenced for professional development

Episode Highlights
- The Power of Curiosity: How asking "why" and observing workflows leads to better solutions
- Vendor Partnership Strategy: Building relationships beyond transactional interactions
- Mentorship Impact: The long-term relationships formed through programs like IT Works
- Healthcare Technology: Understanding the life-saving implications of reliable IT systems

Connect with Angie
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeline-cosca/
ISSA Las Vegas: https://www.lvissa.org/

In this episode, Manuel Martinez interviews Dr. Doreen Galli, Chief of Research at TBW Advisors, about her remarkable career journey through the technology industry. Dr. Galli shares candid insights about her path from academic overachiever to holding senior executive roles at companies like IBM, Microsoft, AT&T, and DHL.

Guest Background:
Dr. Doreen Galli is currently Chief of Research at TBW Advisors, a media company and industry analyst firm. She has held CIO and CTO positions at Fortune 10 companies and was a platform architect for Microsoft Azure. Her career spans operations, consulting, and advisory roles across multiple industries including telecommunications, logistics, and cloud computing.

Episode Highlights:
Dr. Galli opens up about completing a triple major in college while being an All-American athlete and working multiple tutoring jobs. She explains how she convinced her registrar to allow course overloads by presenting a detailed plan and backup strategies.

The conversation covers her time as the first postdoc at IBM's Center for Advanced Studies, where she worked alongside technology legends like Paul Larson (father of SQL) and learned to navigate complex technical integrations under extreme pressure.

She shares practical strategies for time management, including Benjamin Franklin's time blocking method that she still uses today. Dr. Galli explains how scheduling everything - including relaxation time - creates more flexibility rather than rigidity.

The discussion reveals the realities of working in technology, including how to handle the inevitable layoffs and reorganizations that come with change management roles. Dr. Galli emphasizes that business decisions aren't personal and shares strategies for protecting your professional brand.

Key Takeaways:
- Don't accept other people's limitations on your capabilities
- "Who knows what you know" matters more than who you know
- Make requests easy for people to approve by doing the planning work upfront
- Maintain interests outside of work to balance the ups and downs of corporate life
- Influence comes from listening and understanding different perspectives on the same problem

Resources Mentioned:
- Benjamin Franklin's time blocking methodology
- The movie "Short Circuit" as inspiration for continuous learning
- The importance of having non-work activities for emotional balance

This episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to advance their technology career, handle workplace challenges professionally, or develop stronger leadership and communication skills.

Clinton Lee's career journey reads like a masterclass in adaptability. What started as dreams of becoming a teacher transformed into a successful path through IT infrastructure, customer-side technical roles, and ultimately sales engineering leadership.

Currently serving as a Director of Sales Engineering, Clinton shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, from his first encounter with VMware technology to learning how to overcome introversion in customer-facing roles.

Episode Highlights:
Early Career Foundation
Clinton's path began at a technical certification school where he learned Windows, Cisco networking, and foundational IT skills. His willingness to take on any challenge—from teaching classes to running cable—set the stage for future growth.

The VMware Turning Point
Working at Toyota, Clinton witnessed his first vMotion demonstration while servers were being pinged. That "magical" moment sparked a passion for virtualization technology that would define his career trajectory.

Transitioning to Sales Engineering
Despite initial reservations about sales roles, Clinton made the leap to VMware as a vSAN specialist. He candidly discusses the challenges of being an introvert in a customer-facing position and how he developed the energy and presence needed for success.

Leadership Lessons
From individual contributor to team manager, Clinton shares insights about developing people, the importance of genuine relationships, and why helping others succeed became his driving motivation.

Key Takeaways for Listeners:
- Technical expertise alone isn't enough—learn to solve business problems
- Network authentically and build genuine relationships
- Great mentors can change your career trajectory
- Feedback is a gift—always ask for it and act on it
- Leadership skills can be developed with intention and practice

Guest Bio:
Clinton Lee is a Director of Sales Engineering with extensive experience in virtualization technologies and team leadership. His career spans customer-side IT infrastructure, technical consulting, and vendor-side sales engineering across multiple industries.

Jeramie Brown's career journey proves there's no single path to technology leadership success. Starting as a radio and television broadcaster in the Air Force, Jeramie spent 24 years learning storytelling, communication, and adaptability while gradually building technical expertise. Today, he serves as Chief Information Officer for a Nevada public agency and President of the Las Vegas AITP chapter.

Episode Summary
This conversation explores how diverse backgrounds create stronger tech leaders. Jeramie shares his transition from analog broadcasting to digital technology, the leadership lessons learned through military service, and practical strategies for embracing change in fast-moving tech environments.

Key Discussion Points
- Career Transition Strategy: How Jeramie deliberately started at entry-level after military retirement to build confidence and prove his technical abilities
- Change Management Philosophy: Finding excitement within scary changes to make adaptation easier
- Leadership Evolution: Moving from technical contributor to strategic leader who develops others
- Trust Building: Why owning mistakes publicly strengthens team dynamics
- Professional Networks: How organizations like AITP, ISSA, and SIM accelerate career growth

Notable Quotes
"Artificial intelligence is not a replacement for you or for anybody, it is an augmentation tool. It will help you do your job or do that task better, faster, more reliable."
"I wanted to be the guy that they could go to and ask questions and I can help guide them to the right answers."
"You have to find a way to convey the information in a story, right? Because that's what people are gonna connect to."
Resources Mentioned

Book: "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni
Organizations: AITP, ISSA, SIM, Thrive, PMI
Leadership Authors: Simon Sinek

Career Advice Highlights
- Embrace Non-Traditional Paths - Diverse backgrounds bring valuable perspectives to technology roles
- Focus on Skill Development - Technical skills plus communication abilities create powerful combinations
- Join Professional Associations - These organizations provide networking, mentorship, and growth opportunities
- Lead Through Service - Great leaders develop their teams rather than showcasing personal expertise
- Build Trust Through Transparency - Admitting mistakes encourages team honesty and collaboration

Career Downloads explores diverse paths to technology success. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and visit our website for full episode transcripts and resources.

#CareerDownloads #TechnologyCareers #ITLeadership #CareerAdvice

What does it take to go from a curious kid tinkering with an Apple IIe computer to leading cybersecurity at a major university? Vito Rocco's journey offers a masterclass in career development, strategic thinking, and the power of continuous learning.

Currently serving as Chief Information Security Officer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Vito brings a unique perspective shaped by small-town Pennsylvania roots, military service, and the challenging world of higher education cybersecurity. His story demonstrates how curiosity, adaptability, and strong communication skills can transform a career trajectory.

Episode Highlights:
The Foundation Years: Discover how summer access to his teacher-father's Apple IIe computer sparked a lifelong passion for technology, leading to building computers in high school and becoming the go-to tech person among peers.

Military Transformation: Learn why Vito chose military service over traditional college, his initial role in artillery, and the strategic decision to reclassify into cybersecurity during the field's early expansion.

Skills Development: Understand the value of military training programs, the importance of certifications, and how hands-on experience with different cybersecurity domains shaped his expertise.

Higher Education Challenges: Get insider perspective on the unique security challenges universities face, balancing academic freedom with protection, and why traditional corporate security approaches don't always work in educational settings.

Leadership Evolution: Explore the transition from technical expert to organizational leader, including the communication skills required to influence without authority and build support for security initiatives.

Career Advice: Gain practical insights on the importance of IT fundamentals, the value of professional networking, and why understanding business context is essential for cybersecurity success.

Vito's journey illustrates that there's no single path to cybersecurity leadership. Whether you're starting in military service, traditional IT roles, or considering a career change, this conversation provides actionable insights for building expertise and advancing your career in the rapidly expanding cybersecurity field.

What happens when the interviewer becomes the interviewee? In this special episode, John MacGugan flips the script and puts Manuel Martinez in the hot seat to uncover the real story behind Career Downloads.

Episode Summary:
Manuel gets candid about building a podcast from zero experience - sharing everything from his early days relying on a professional studio (the "production limo" era) to learning the hard way with broken equipment and terrible lighting. You'll hear about the friendship with Jake Izumi that sparked this whole journey, the Women's Empowerment Institute mentorship program that provided the inspiration, and why he chose to focus on real people instead of celebrity interviews.

This conversation reveals the honest struggles of podcast creation: the learning curve, the costs, the family time sacrificed, and the reality checks that almost ended everything at the six-month mark. Manuel also shares his ambitious plans for taking the show on the road and expanding beyond the tech industry.

What You'll Learn:
- How a simple mentorship conversation led to 40+ episodes
- Why free learning materials only get you 75% of the way there
- The game-changing moment when Manuel invested in professional help
- How Toastmasters transformed his interviewing approach
- The real costs (time, money, relationships) of independent podcast production
- Future plans for multi-city recording and industry expansion

Key Topics Discussed:
- The Jake Izumi origin story and Women's Empowerment Institute connection
- Transitioning from professional studio to DIY production
- Learning lighting, audio, and video editing through trial and error
- The importance of intentional practice and professional consultation
- Building genuine relationships with guests across the tech industry
- Plans for on-location recording and industry diversification

Episode Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction and role reversal setup
[02:30] The friendship that started it all - Jake Izumi's influence
[05:45] From mentorship challenges to podcast solution
[09:15] The "Honda Civic era" - DIY production struggles
[13:20] Expectations versus reality after 40+ episodes
[17:45] Learning the hard way about audience feedback
[21:30] Why investing in professionals made all the difference
[25:15] Future vision - expanding industries and locations
[29:30] The dream of on-location recording trips
[32:45] Call for audience feedback and suggestions
[34:00] Closing reflections and what's next

Guest Information:
John MacGugan brings his unique perspective as both a longtime listener and professional in the tech industry. His thoughtful questions reveal sides of the podcast creation process that even regular listeners haven't heard before.

Resources Mentioned:
- Women's Empowerment Institute mentorship program
- Toastmasters International
- Episode featuring Janetta Dunbar (Sony PlayStation)
- Professional photography and lighting consultation

Connect & Continue the Conversation:
Have feedback about the show or suggestions for future industries to explore? Manuel reads every comment and is actively planning future seasons based on listener input.

Next Episode Preview:
The new season launches soon with exciting guests from industries you've been requesting. Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss these upcoming conversations.

Why it matters: John MacGugan built a 25-year satellite technology career without a college degree, proving that curiosity and initiative can overcome traditional barriers.

The journey: Starting in a phone company mail room in 1989, John worked his way up through voicemail systems, satellite installation, and business ownership before landing at DirecTV as a traveling engineer.

Key turning points:
- Fixed accounting errors in the mail room, making it profitable for the first time
- Missed Amazon stock options in 1997 but learned about diversifying skills
- Lost his satellite business in the 2008 housing crash, forcing a move to Texas
- Became a LinkedIn content creator during the pandemic

What you'll learn:
- How technical skills transfer across different technologies
- Why "it's not who you know, it's who knows you" for networking
- Four principles for sustained career success
- How to bounce back from business failures

Breaking news: John announces his upcoming book on brand ambassadorship, combining his engineering expertise with content creation experience.

Bottom line: John's story shows how continuous learning, authentic relationships, and calculated risks can build a resilient tech career even without traditional credentials.

Guest: John MacGugan, DirecTV Engineer and LinkedIn content creator, based in Kansas City, Missouri

Connect: Follow John MacGugan on LinkedIn for satellite technology and professional development insights
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-macgugan/

Career Downloads features real stories from technology professionals about career pivots, lessons learned, and practical growth advice.

What if moving 18 times before your 18th birthday could become your greatest career asset? In this conversation, Jessica Parker reveals how early life challenges shaped an unshakeable approach to career resilience that's kept her employed for over three decades.

Jessica's path from aspiring computer scientist to elementary educator to tech consultant illustrates the power of strategic pivots and continuous learning. Her story challenges conventional wisdom about career planning, showing how flexibility and adaptability often trump rigid goal-setting.

This Episode Covers:
Strategic Career Navigation
Jessica discusses her approach to building multiple skill sets across project management, quality assurance, and business analysis. She explains how diversifying capabilities creates options during uncertain times and why having "Plan B, C, and D" matters more than perfecting Plan A.

The Contract Work Advantage
Contrary to popular belief about job security, Jessica makes a compelling case for contract positions as career accelerators. She breaks down the mindset shifts needed to thrive as a contractor and how to leverage temporary roles for skill building and network expansion.

Learning as a Core Competency
With a habit of reading 300+ books annually, Jessica shares her methods for rapid knowledge acquisition and retention. The conversation explores practical note-taking strategies and how to synthesize information from multiple sources for real-world application.

Professional Relationship Building
From Toastmasters to industry associations, Jessica explains how authentic networking creates career opportunities. Her "volunteer mindset" approach to workplace collaboration offers a fresh perspective on getting the best from professional relationships.

Career Resilience Workshop Insights
Jessica developed a custom workshop on career resilience for graduate students, distilling decades of experience into actionable frameworks. She shares key principles around transferable skills, strategic planning, and maintaining employability across economic cycles.

Key Takeaways:
- Document your work thoroughly to avoid becoming indispensable in the wrong way
- Build relationships before you need them, not during crisis moments
- Develop skills that transfer across industries and roles
- Embrace feedback as a gift for professional growth
- Consider contract work as a strategic career move, not a last resort

Guest Background:
Jessica Parker is a technology consultant specializing in cybersecurity and AI research. She's currently completing her doctoral dissertation while running a consulting practice that helps small businesses solve complex technology challenges. Her career spans multiple industries including healthcare, finance, and technology, with experience in project management, quality assurance, and organizational leadership.

Resources Mentioned:
- VitalSmarts "Crucial Conversations" series
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
- Toastmasters International
- Society for Information Management (SIM)

Connect with Jessica: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-parker-pmp/
Find Jessica's career resilience workshop and research publications on ResearchGate.

Career Downloads explores the real journeys of technology professionals, uncovering practical advice for managing your own career with greater success. Host Manuel Martinez brings you authentic conversations about the wins, challenges, and lessons learned along the way.

Listen on your preferred platform: [Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube Music] | [YouTube]
Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday featuring diverse voices from the technology industry.

What does it take to transform from a farm girl in rural Mexico to a cybersecurity solutions engineer at a leading tech company? In this episode, Estela Baca shares her remarkable journey of defying expectations, overcoming setbacks, and building a thriving career in technology.

Estela's story begins in Teziutlán, Mexico, where she grew up with her grandmother in a family where education wasn't expected for women. After moving to Los Angeles at 15 without speaking English, she navigated high school, earned a computer science degree (while pregnant), and eventually found her way into cybersecurity through marketing and technical roles.

Key Topics Discussed:
- Early Life and Foundation
- Educational Journey
- Career Development
- Professional Growth Strategies
- Cybersecurity Transition
- Life Lessons and Philosophy
- Networking and Community


Key Quotes:
- "Action conquers fear"
- "Every time somebody tells me no, something switches in my brain"
- "I refuse to call it imposter syndrome. It's the real deal syndrome"
- "You can literally start as a marketer and end up as a VP if you understand transferable skills"

Resources Mentioned:
- "The DevelopHer Playbook" by Lauren Hasson
- "Be So Good They Can't Ignore You" by Cal Newport
- Google Analytics and digital marketing certifications
- Local networking groups and tech communities

About the Guest:
Estela Baca is a Solutions Engineer specializing in cybersecurity and log management. She leads employee resource groups, volunteers in her local tech community, and mentors others looking to break into technology. Her expertise spans digital marketing, technical account management, and cybersecurity solutions.

Connect with Estela:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estela-baca-07b02b6b/

Episode Highlights:
This conversation offers practical insights for anyone considering a career change, breaking into tech, or looking to advance in cybersecurity. Estela's story demonstrates that non-traditional backgrounds can become significant advantages when combined with determination, strategic thinking, and continuous learning.

Whether you're just starting your career journey or looking to make your next move, this episode provides actionable strategies for professional growth, relationship building, and turning challenges into opportunities.

Subscribe to Career Downloads:
Available on all major podcast platforms. New episodes release every Tuesday featuring real conversations with technology professionals who share their career journeys, lessons learned, and practical advice for professional success.

In this episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez interviews Paola Mendiola, a promising digital forensics student at CSN who shares her journey into technology and cybersecurity.

Episode Summary
Paola takes us through her tech journey, beginning with the transformative moment when her father brought home their first computer. This experience allowed her to connect with family in Mexico through video calls – a pivotal event that sparked her passion for technology. As a first-generation tech enthusiast, Paola discusses navigating educational opportunities, from her high school IT and cybersecurity program to her current studies at CSN.

Throughout the conversation, Paola candidly shares her experiences with high school robotics competitions, her valuable training at Tech Impact, and how she's building her professional network as a newcomer to the industry. She provides thoughtful insights about overcoming shyness, establishing a professional presence on LinkedIn, and the crucial importance of finding mentors who can guide your career path.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is Paola's fresh perspective as someone actively entering the field. Her story of recently speaking to young women in tech and her aspirations to become a cybersecurity educator highlight her commitment to helping others following in her footsteps.

Key Moments in This Episode
02:38 - How Paola's tech journey began when her dad brought home a computer
11:55 - Paola's experience in high school robotics competitions
16:24 - Getting hands-on IT experience through Tech Impact
29:20 - Transitioning from shy student to LinkedIn networker
44:30 - Speaking to young women about tech and coming full circle
52:54 - Paola's aspiration to become a cybersecurity teacher
01:02:40 - Advice for people looking for opportunities in tech

Connect with Paola
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolamend/

Resources Mentioned
Tech Impact: Non-profit organization providing IT training
SIM Las Vegas: Society for Information Management
NCWIT: National Center for Women in Information Technology

New episodes of Career Downloads are released every Tuesday. Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform to catch all our career conversations with professionals across the tech industry!

Join our community on the social platforms:
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LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads
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#CareerDownloads #Cybersecurity #TechCareers #WomenInTech #DigitalForensics

Released: May 20, 2025

Episode Summary
In this enlightening conversation, Manuel Martinez sits down with Jason Frame, Chief Information Officer at Southern Nevada Health District, to explore his remarkable journey from typing code from magazines as a child to leading critical technology initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jason shares candid insights about career progression in technology, developing leadership skills, and building successful teams.

About Our Guest
Jason Frame serves as the CIO at Southern Nevada Health District, overseeing IT operations for public health services across the Las Vegas area. His organization provides essential health services including restaurant inspections, EMT registrations, and primary care for underserved communities. During COVID-19, Jason's team led technology efforts for contact tracing, testing, and vaccination management, demonstrating how IT leadership directly impacts critical public services.

What You'll Learn
- How Jason's early experiences with an Apple IIe and Commodore 64 sparked his interest in technology
- The transition from programming to leadership roles and the skills needed for each
- Why being a continuous learner is crucial for long-term success in technology careers
- Practical approaches to communicating your achievements to management
- Jason's hiring philosophy: "I hire for fit and train for skill"
- Strategies for stepping outside your comfort zone to accelerate career growth
- Practical advice for job interviews and salary negotiations
- Why networking and community involvement matter in technology careers

Key Insights
"If you never ask, the answer is always no." - Jason shares why taking initiative and seeking opportunities is essential for career advancement.
"Don't reject yourself." - Jason discusses why you should apply for positions even when you only meet some of the qualifications, noting that men often apply when they meet just 30% of requirements while others might wait until they meet 100%.
"Be prepared to show that you're a learner." - Jason explains how continuous learning is the most important quality he looks for when hiring technology professionals.

Episode Highlights
- Jason's journey from coding games on an Apple IIe to managing complex IT systems
- The evolution of IT roles from specialists to versatile technology professionals
- How to build relationships that advance your career
- Practical strategies for developing both technical and soft skills
- The importance of creating a culture where team members are recognized for their contributions
- Resources for professional development and continuous learning

Connect With Jason Frame
Find Jason on LinkedIn to continue the conversation about technology leadership and career development.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/framejason/

Join the Conversation
What career challenge are you currently facing? Share your questions and experiences in the comments section. We'd love to hear how you're applying Jason's advice to your own career journey!

#CareerDownloads #TechLeadership #CIOInsights #CareerAdvice #TechnologyCareers #ITLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment

Episode Summary
Jeremy Jakubowicz's path to becoming president of multiple AI companies is far from conventional. After struggling with learning disabilities throughout his education, Jeremy carved out a unique career trajectory through film, education, casino promotions, and tech software before landing in his current role. His story demonstrates how challenges can become stepping stones and how following the "natural path" can lead to unexpected success.

In This Episode
Jeremy shares how his reading and writing disabilities shaped his approach to career development, emphasizing experiential learning and relationship building. From working as a pizza delivery driver to teaching film production, from MC'ing casino events to transitioning into software sales, Jeremy's journey showcases the power of turning every experience into an opportunity.

His decision to move to Las Vegas for $20,000 less than a competing offer exemplifies his philosophy of betting on long-term vision over immediate gain. Jeremy breaks down how he recognized cultural mismatches in his career transitions and eventually found his home at VizExplorer for seven years before moving into AI.

Key Takeaways
- Alternative Learning Paths: How Jeremy compensated for reading/writing challenges by becoming hands-on and experiential
- Network as Currency: Building genuine relationships opened doors across industries
- The Expiration Date Philosophy: Knowing when to pivot based on growth opportunity, cultural fit, or new challenges
- Value-Add Mindset: Continuously bringing past experiences to enhance current roles
- Cultural Fit > Money: Learning to evaluate opportunities beyond compensation
- Natural Path Theory: Why forcing opportunities often leads to resistance

Notable Quotes
"Don't overthink things. No matter if it doesn't work out, you'll gain valuable takeaways from that experience regardless of its failure or success."
"Everything in life has an expiration date. The thing you need to figure out for yourself is when is that expiration date?"
"I always found my path through relationships and building friendships that help open those doors."

Jeremy's Career Timeline
Educational Foundation: Struggled with learning disabilities; found alternative learning methods
First Steps: Pizza delivery, film school graduate
Teaching Years: Film production teacher with side videography business
Casino Industry: MC, promotions coordinator, progression to management
The Vegas Gamble: Took pay cut for better opportunity in Las Vegas
Tech Transition: Software sales for casino player tracking systems
VizExplorer Era: Customer success role that lasted 7.5 years
AI Leadership: Current role as president of multiple AI companies

Connect With Jeremy
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-%E2%80%9Cjj%E2%80%9D-jakubowicz-9848a431/

Listen & Subscribe
Available on all major podcast platforms. Subscribe to Career Downloads for weekly conversations with professionals who've navigated unique career paths.

Episode Length: 1 hour 4 minutes
Release Date: May 6, 2025

In this enlightening episode of Career Downloads, host Manuel Martinez sits down with Sean Leu, a senior IT manager who transformed his career from working as an electrician apprentice to leading development teams in the financial technology sector. This conversation offers invaluable insights into navigating career transitions, developing leadership skills, and embracing continuous learning in the ever-evolving tech industry.

About Our Guest:
Sean Leu is a senior manager at a financial tech firm, specializing in ServiceNow platform development. His unique career journey spans over 15 years, beginning as an electrician apprentice in 2001 and evolving through various IT roles including help desk, systems engineering, database administration, information security, and ultimately management leadership. Sean's diverse experience encompasses work with government agencies, casino technology providers, and now financial technology, giving him a broad perspective on career development in the tech sector.

Key Discussion Points:
- The Power of Career Pivots
- Building a Foundation Through Curiosity
- The Strategic Value of Continuous Learning
- Navigating the Transition to Management
- The Interview Coach Revelation
- Leadership Development and Time Management
- Choosing Your Next Career Move

Actionable Takeaways:
1. Embrace curiosity as your primary career development tool - always ask questions and seek mentorship
2. Develop a three-tier learning approach: current role, future goals, and personal interests
3. Understand that career paths are rarely linear - be comfortable with being uncomfortable
4. Master the art of communication, including strategic pauses and structured responses
5. Treat everyone with respect regardless of title - from interns to CEOs
6. Focus on elevating others when in leadership positions
7. Align career moves with personal values and company missions as you progress

Notable Quotes:
- "You have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable."
- "As a leader, you have the impact that is critical to their career. You can either make or break their career, and they're trusting you with it."
- "I think having that vehicle to say, hey, that's what you specialize in, no matter what career you go into is important."
- "Just talk to them like a regular person, be nice, be genuine, be honest, be candid, and I think you'll go far in this world."

Resources Mentioned:
- Simon Sinek's "Start With Why"
- CISSP Certification
- PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification
- ServiceNow Platform
- Toastmasters (Referenced by host)
- "The Power of Voice" by Denise Woods (Referenced by host)

**About Career Downloads:**
Career Downloads is your essential resource for actionable career advice and insights. Each episode features in-depth conversations with technology professionals who share their unique career journeys, challenges, and triumphs. Host Manuel Martinez helps uncover practical strategies you can apply to manage and advance your own career in the tech industry.

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In this captivating episode of Career Downloads, Manuel Martinez sits down with Alan Cunningham, a technology leader with a rich and varied background. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Alan shares his remarkable journey from working at age 12 to becoming the CIO for the State of Nevada.
Alan walks us through his early fascination with electronics, building sound-to-light units for his DJing career despite being colorblind. His path took him through the British Army where he worked as a signaller, which sparked his journey into technology.
After moving to the US in 1995, Alan quickly established himself in the tech world, running a computer store by his second day. Throughout his career, he's worked as an IT technician, software expert, consultant, ISO for Washoe County School District, and ultimately CIO for the State of Nevada.
What stands out in this conversation is Alan's unwavering commitment to honesty and integrity, which has guided his career decisions even when they led to challenging transitions. He offers practical wisdom for those entering the tech field, emphasizing the importance of building a solid foundation of knowledge through help desk positions or working at small computer stores where problem-solving skills are constantly tested.
Alan also shares valuable insights about critical thinking, continuous learning, and the reality behind trending technologies like AI and cloud computing. His straightforward assessment of these tools cuts through marketing hype to reveal their true utility.
Whether you're just starting your career or looking to advance to leadership positions, this episode provides a wealth of practical advice and inspiration from someone who's navigated the ever-changing technology landscape for four decades.
Listen to the full episode to learn how Alan's commitment to quality work and straightforward communication has shaped his successful career in technology.
#CareerDownloads #TechLeadership #CyberSecurity #CIOAdvice

In this episode, Manuel Martinez talks with Nidhi Nayak, an Enterprise Support Lead with extensive experience across data warehousing, cloud architecture, and technical leadership.

Born and raised in India, Nidhi shares her journey from studying mathematics to becoming an engineer, and how her passion for problem-solving drove her career choices. She walks us through the multi-stage interview process she navigated as a recent graduate in India, including how she prepared months in advance for campus recruitment.

Nidhi discusses her progression from an ETL developer to various technical leadership roles, explaining why she chose to broaden her knowledge across multiple technologies rather than specializing deeply in just one area. Her approach paid off as she moved from on-premise systems to cloud architecture, ultimately achieving all 12 AWS certifications.

Throughout the conversation, Nidhi offers practical wisdom on:
- Using certifications strategically to validate knowledge and build confidence
- Teaching others as a pathway to deepen your own understanding
- Developing presentation and documentation skills for technical and business audiences
- Creating effective boundaries and knowing when to say "no" to new responsibilities
- Setting clear goals with personal deadlines to stay accountable
- Balancing technical expertise with customer-facing responsibilities

This episode provides valuable insights for both early-career professionals looking to map their path forward and experienced practitioners seeking ways to expand their impact beyond technical expertise.

Listen to the full episode to hear Nidhi's thoughtful advice on continuous learning, strategic career planning, and finding opportunities to grow even within comfortable roles.

#CareerDownloads #TechCareers #CloudArchitecture #WomenInTech #CareerAdvice #ProfessionalDevelopment #AWSCertifications

In this episode, Manuel Martinez interviews Taft Singletary, a Senior Technical Account Manager with three decades of experience in telecommunications and technology. Taft shares his path from growing up in North Philadelphia to becoming a respected cloud professional.

Starting with his education at DeVry University and early career at RAM Mobile Data, Taft worked on cutting-edge technology including the first prototypes of BlackBerry devices and Palm Pilots. He details his progression through roles at Cox Communications, Comcast, Scientific Atlanta (now Cisco), and beyond, sharing honest reflections on career transitions and leadership challenges.

Throughout the conversation, Taft offers practical career advice: surround yourself with high achievers, build meaningful professional relationships, and take strategic control of your career path. His story highlights how combining technical expertise with people skills creates opportunities in the rapidly changing technology landscape.

This episode provides valuable insights for technology professionals at any stage looking to grow their careers and navigate industry evolution successfully.

#CareerDownloads #TechCareers #CloudComputing #Telecommunications #ProfessionalDevelopment #MentorshipMatters

In this powerful episode of Career Downloads, Manuel Martinez sits down with Asal "Vox" Gibson, CEO and founder of Cyroot and president of Cyroot Academy. Vox shares her extraordinary career path that began as an immigrant who didn't speak English and worked in exchange for groceries.

Vox takes us through her journey of determination and growth: becoming a RadioShack store manager at just 20 years old, transitioning to automotive sales, building a successful career in financial services, and eventually working in defense contracting with top security clearance.

Throughout the conversation, Vox reveals the values and mindset that propelled her success: an unwavering work ethic, hunger for knowledge, and willingness to start from scratch in entirely new fields. She explains how each career transition taught her valuable skills that built upon one another, creating a foundation for her current roles leading both a cybersecurity company and a nonprofit providing free education to military personnel.

Key moments include:
- The origin story of her military call sign "Vox" (meaning "voice of the people")
- How she overcame language barriers and financial hardships after arriving in America
- Why critical thinking skills matter more than credentials in technology careers
- Her approach to screening job candidates for problem-solving abilities
- How she's now paying forward the opportunities she received by creating educational programs for transitioning military personnel

This conversation offers practical wisdom about career advancement, the importance of being teachable, and finding purpose through helping others succeed. If you're looking to transform your career or seeking inspiration on overcoming obstacles, this episode delivers actionable insights from someone who's mastered the art of career reinvention.

Listen to the full episode to hear Vox's complete story and learn how she's now helping others find their own path to success.

_Episode release date: April 1, 2025_

#CareerDownloads #CareerTransition #TechLeadership #CyberSecurity #VeteransSupport

In Episode 28 of Career Downloads, Manuel Martinez interviews Dalien Ahiekpor, Senior Technical Account Manager at AWS, who shares his transformation from tech-curious teenager to cloud professional. Learn how winning a PC at a summer tech camp sparked Dalien's interest in technology, why he chose computer science despite early struggles with programming, and how he navigated from network engineering to his current role.

Dalien reveals the six-month job search that tested his persistence, his unconventional approach to landing his dream position, and the profound impact mentorship had on his career trajectory. He offers practical interview advice for standing out among candidates and emphasizes taking ownership of your career path.

Whether you're looking to break into tech, transition to cloud computing, or find effective mentors, this conversation provides actionable strategies from someone who's successfully navigated the journey.

#CareerDownloads #CloudComputing #AWSCareers #TechMentorship