Skills_First

Sep 05 2024

Skills_First Podcast artwork

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.

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Mastering STEM Communication: Neil Thompson's Journey from Engineer to Coach

Sep 05 2024 11 mins

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 o

From Ministry to Code: William Kevin Roxton's Tech Transformation

Aug 29 2024 16 mins

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 ministr

Transforming Lives Through Code: Bernadette Bolaños' Inspiring Journey in Tech

Aug 22 2024 13 mins

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 rol

Apprenticeships and Adaptability: Todd Basher's Unique Journey

Aug 15 2024 10 mins

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 func

From Smog Technician to Tech Consultant: Julian Gonzalez's Inspiring Journey

Aug 08 2024 10 mins

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 d

A Teacher's Leap into Tech: Rosalyn's Success Story

Aug 01 2024 8 mins

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 th

Empowering Tech Careers: Kanika Tolber's Path to Success

Jul 25 2024 12 mins

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 dream

Tech Apprenticeships: Bridging Gaps, Building Futures – Featuring Vanessa Russell

Jul 16 2024 20 mins

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

Empowering the Next Generation: Jasmine LaFleur's Journey in Aerospace Engineering

Jul 16 2024 18 mins

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 C

Arlan Hamilton: Breaking Barriers in Venture Capital

Jul 16 2024 11 mins

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 uniqu