Welcome to the Skills First podcast, brought to you by The Apprenticeship Playbook. This podcast is your go-to resource for exploring the transformative world of skills-first hiring and modern tech apprenticeships. Whether you’re part of a community-based organization, a funder, an educator, or a company eager to implement innovative hiring practices, this show is for you. Join host Mike Roberts as he engages with industry leaders and pioneers who are redefining the pathways to tech careers. Discover actionable insights, best practices, and strategies to foster inclusive, skills-based opportunities that empower individuals and drive organizational success. Tune in and be part of the movement that’s shaping the future of work.
Sprint to Ship - the Story of the Agile Talent Playbook
Three weeks before a flight to a DC conference, we realize we need a premium leave-behind that actually earns attention. Not another postcard or piece of swag that gets tossed, but a real book someone will carry home. So we pick the hardest problem we know how to solve, put it on paper, and commit to The Agile Talent Playbook with a deadline that feels borderline irresponsible. The pressure is not just writing fast. It is production risk. We talk through the reality of self-publishing timeli...
5 Sept 2024
Mastering STEM Communication: Neil Thompson's Journey from Engineer to Coach
Unlock the secrets to mastering communication as a STEM professional by tuning into our conversation with Neil Thompson, the founder of Teach the Geek. Neil's journey from product development engineer to communication coach offers valuable insights that could transform your career. Discover how Neil turned early presentation struggles and a failed Facebook webinar into a thriving online course that helps technical professionals captivate non-technical audiences. Learn why effective communicat...
29 Aug 2024
From Ministry to Code: William Kevin Roxton's Tech Transformation
What if you could completely reinvent your career and find your true calling in an entirely new field? Former pastor William Kevin Roxton did just that by transitioning into a successful career as a software engineer. Join us as William shares his remarkable story, highlighting the significant challenges he faced and the unwavering determination that fueled his journey from ministry to tech. Learn about the pivotal role his family played, the courage it took to start anew, and how he maintain...
22 Aug 2024
Transforming Lives Through Code: Bernadette Bolaños' Inspiring Journey in Tech
Ever wondered how learning to code can transform your life and career? Join us for an inspiring chat with Bernadette Bolaños, a software apprentice at ServiceNow, as she shares her remarkable journey into the tech industry. Bernie discusses how coding has empowered her and highlights the critical need for representation in tech. She also provides a fascinating glimpse into her role on the UXRTB dev team, the thrill of her first corporate office visit, and how her previous work with survivors ...
15 Aug 2024
Apprenticeships and Adaptability: Todd Basher's Unique Journey
Ever wondered how a high school speech teacher transforms into a tech industry leader? Meet Todd Basher, co-founder of New Rocket and our guest for this episode. Todd’s unique journey from humanities to tech illustrates the power of diverse backgrounds and self-taught skills. We delve into the expansive capabilities of ServiceNow, a low-code platform revolutionizing business functions from IT management to finance. Plus, we uncover why modern apprenticeships could be a game-changer in the con...
8 Aug 2024
From Smog Technician to Tech Consultant: Julian Gonzalez's Inspiring Journey
What if you could transform your career from a grueling, heat-soaked job to a thriving position in tech, all during a global pandemic? Julian Gonzalez did just that. Join us as we discuss Julian's inspiring journey from being a smog technician in Fresno, California, to becoming a Development Consultant within the ServiceNow ecosystem. Despite facing countless rejections, Julian's determination to complete his associate's degree and seize a rare software development apprenticeship opportunity ...
1 Aug 2024
A Teacher's Leap into Tech: Rosalyn's Success Story
Can a global pandemic be the catalyst for discovering your true passion? Join us on this eye-opening episode of the Skills First podcast as we journey through Rosalyn from Pong's incredible transformation from a fourth-grade teacher to a software engineering apprentice at Pathways Consulting. Rosalyn talks about how her tech interests, which began with MySpace, resurfaced during the pandemic and led her to tackle the financial hurdles of tech boot camps. She candidly shares the steep learning...
25 Jul 2024
Empowering Tech Careers: Kanika Tolber's Path to Success
Get ready to uncover the secrets to building a successful tech career with our special guest Kanika Tolber, a powerhouse in the ServiceNow space and the visionary behind Career Rehab. Learn how an early passion for web development during the age of AOL instant messenger led Kanika to defy expectations and pursue computer science at Bowie State University, despite her mother's dreams of her becoming a pharmacist. Her journey didn't stop there; what started as a side hustle helping friends with...
17 Jul 2024
Empowering the Next Generation: Jasmine LaFleur's Journey in Aerospace Engineering
How does one overcome skepticism and numerous barriers to achieve a successful career in aerospace engineering? Meet Jasmine LaFleur, an accomplished aerospace engineer at Collins Aerospace and co-founder of Greater Than Tech, who shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Flint, Michigan, to making a significant impact in the STEM field. You'll hear about how programs like Carrera for at-risk youth and her own determination propelled her forward, despite the odds. Jasmine's story is a ...
17 Jul 2024
Tech Apprenticeships: Bridging Gaps, Building Futures – Featuring Vanessa Russell
Unlock the secrets to transforming lives through tech apprenticeships in this episode of Skills First, the Apprenticeship Playbook Podcast. Join us as we sit down with Vanessa Russell, the inspiring founding executive director of Love Never Fails, and dive into her journey from overcoming personal trauma to becoming a senior global sales leader at Cisco. Vanessa's story highlights the power of mentorship and the critical role of support systems in helping individuals from underserved communit...
17 Jul 2024
Arlan Hamilton: Breaking Barriers in Venture Capital
Arlen Hamilton, the trailblazing founder and managing partner of Backstage Capital, shares her profound journey as a Black, gay woman shaking up the venture capital industry—a domain long dominated by white males. Tune in to gain invaluable insights on the critical role of equitable access to venture capital in building generational wealth and how diverse VCs like Arlen are uniquely positioned to recognize and invest in overlooked opportunities. We also navigate through the challenges faced b...
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