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Manuel Martinez hosts the Career Downloads podcast where he interviews a different guest each episode to learn about their individual and diverse backgrounds, job history, and techniques they use to manage their career. So plug in and download the knowledge.
From Learning Disabilities to AI Leadership: Jeremy Jakubowicz’s Unconventional Career Journey | Ep034
Career Downloads
1 hour 4 minutes 34 seconds
6 months ago
From Learning Disabilities to AI Leadership: Jeremy Jakubowicz’s Unconventional Career Journey | Ep034
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
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Manuel Martinez hosts the Career Downloads podcast where he interviews a different guest each episode to learn about their individual and diverse backgrounds, job history, and techniques they use to manage their career. So plug in and download the knowledge.
