IT Career Energizer

Josh Doody is a salary negotiation coach who helps Software Developers get more high-quality job offers and negotiate higher salaries using the strategies and tactics he writes about on the Fearless Salary Negotiation website. Top 3 Career Tips 1. Build financial flexibility before taking big leaps. 2. Experiment early and often. 3. Make flexible plans and be ready to pivot. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now! For further information about the show, email phil@itcareerenergizer.com.

Nada Sanders is a professor at Northeastern University, internationally recognized AI thought leader, and expert in forecasting and supply chain strategy. Nada is a passionate advocate for bridging the gap between technology and humanity, helping professionals’ future-proof their careers in a digital world. Nada is a sought-after speaker and the author of seven books including the “The Humachine: AI, Human Virtues, and the Superintelligent Enterprise”. We’re giving away 5 copies of the latest edition of this fantastic book. Listen in to the episode to find out how to enter. Top 3 Career Tips 1. Be someone people want to work with. 2. Those who can merge hard and soft skills will lead the next wave of innovation. 3. Stay curious. Keep learning. Don’t let failure stop you. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now! For further information about the show, email phil@itcareerenergizer.com.

Tony Walker is an accomplished professional in the IT and technology industry, specializing in passive infrastructure. He leads Global Fiber Product Marketing for The Siemon Company. Tony has worked with top-tier companies, navigating dynamic challenges and offering unique solutions in areas such as cabling and network deployments. His career journey is a testament to the power of curiosity and continual learning, which has shaped his innovative approach to technology. Top 3 Career Tips 1. Some of the most exciting opportunities may not seem glamorous at first. 2. Patience and professionalism are key to maintaining business relationships. 3. must stay adaptable and ready to embrace new trends and technologies. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Anil Pande is a director and board adviser across multiple Insurtech, Digital Health, Fintech and Consultancy firms. He is also a managing partner of TestPro. He has had a successful career delivering quality engineering services for large corporate clients by bringing best practice, in depth knowledge and practical skills to deliver challenging programmes. Top 3 Career Tips 1. Change brings opportunity with it. 2. Don’t stay still. If you’re learning you’re not staying still. 3. Get out of your comfort zone. Do things that you’ve never done before. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Kevlin Henney is an independent consultant, speaker, writer and trainer. His software development interests are in programming, practice and people. Kevlin is co-author of A Pattern Language for Distributed Computing and On Patterns and Pattern Languages. He is also editor of 97 Things Every Programmer Should Know and co-editor of 97 Things Every Java Programmer Should Know. Top 3 Career Tips 1. Having an appreciation for detail is its own reward. 2. Look for the things that excite you from a technical point of view. 3. You don’t need to know everything. That’s why we work in teams. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Vanessa Vun is a front-end engineer at SciShield. Vanessa is in the early stages of her tech career having transitioned into tech after realising that she felt unfulfilled in her old career working in a laboratory. Top 3 Career Tips 1. Test the waters before diving into a career in tech. 2. Career switching is a marathon not a sprint. 3. You need to out-human the AI. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Brent Dykes is the author of Effective Data Storytelling: How to Drive Change with Data, Narrative and Visuals - https://www.effectivedatastorytelling.com/. He is also the founder of AnalyticsHero, a data storytelling consultancy, the Senior Director of Data Strategy at Domo and a regular Forbes contributor. As you’ll hear, we talk about the importance of Data Analytics to companies. But also the opportunity to build a career in Data Analytics. Top 3 Career Tips 1. Consulting can be a great opportunity to work for more than one company at the same time. 2. It’s not just about how smart you are, you also need street-smarts and experience to be able to successfully interact with other people. 3. Working on improving your communication skills early in your career will amplify your success later. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Joe is a Data Engineer turned Developer Advocate. He is also a TEDx speaker and he has spoken at hundreds of technical conferences all over the globe. Joe specialises in making complex programming concepts approachable for developers of all levels. And he empowers developers to think creatively when building applications with a massive amount of data through demos, blogs, videos, or whatever else developers need. Top 3 Career Tips 1. Make sure you’re maintaining your network before you need them. 2. When someone needs help, try to help them if you can. 3. Your value is in the work you do and the impact it has. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

iAsia Brown is a Senior Producer at Xbox Gaming Studios. She has a track record of delivering Triple A and Indie game projects at scale. Prior to this iAsia worked as a Senior Program Manager for Microsoft. And this followed 16 years as a combat veteran of the US Air Force and Marine Corps. iAsia is a member of the board of directors for Women In Tech Hollywood and for Creating Coding Careers. And she has even described herself as the “Coolest Nerd You’ll Ever Meet.” Top 3 Career Tips 1. Be audacious. Don’t be afraid to just do something. Give yourself permission. 2. Tech careers are the careers of infinite possibilities. Technology is the land of imagination. You cannot innovate without imagination. 3. Just do it and show your results. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people - just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you enjoyed most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Anna Skoulikari is an Internal Communications Project Manager at JetBrains. She is the author of “Learning Git” as well as creator of the course “Git for complete beginners”. Click on the following link below to find out more about Anna’s book and course – https://www.oreilly.com Top 3 Career Tips 1. Listen to your gut. Figure out what works for you. Figure out who you are and stay true to your own path. 2. Tap into your intuition and follow your curiosity. 3. Consider any advice you receive as an option in the buffet of options that you can take. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people - just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you enjoyed most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Chuck Tomasi is a Developer Advocate at ServiceNow. He loves to share what he has learned with the developer community through blogs, videos, live streams, podcasts and books. Top 3 Career Tips 1. The best time to make mistakes is early in your career. 2. You need to learn how to deal with senior management. 3. Invest in building and developing relationships. Subscribe to the IT Career Energizer newsletter to receive actionable advice, exclusive content, early access offers and discounts – IT Career Energizer Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Zhuoyue Wang is a senior software engineer on the space management team at Oracle. He’s the team lead for memory management in the database kernel. Top 3 Career Tips 1. Identify your strengths and interests. Find your unique position within the industry. Distinguish yourself from others. Enable people to remember you because of your characteristics and expertise. 2. Think like your boss. Find out what they care about. Understand their perspectives and try to anticipate their needs. 3. It’s important to leverage your strengths but don’t overlook your weaknesses. Don’t allow your weaknesses to hold you back. Subscribe to the IT Career Energizer newsletter to receive actionable advice, exclusive content, early access offers and discounts – IT Career Energizer Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Opemipo Disu is an 18-year-old Developer Advocate, keynote speaker who has been featured in several publications. He aims to empower 500,000 developers through his keynote talks and tutorials, and has already spoken at 100+ tech conferences. Top 3 Career Tips 1. Develop a strong work ethic. By doing so you will get noticed and make sure that people are aware of your achievements. This includes helping other people which you can do by contributing to communities. 2. Don’t give up on your passion. 3. When looking for a job, leverage your network connections. You never know when there might be an opportunity. Check out Opemipo’s YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/@OpemiposThoughts Subscribe to the IT Career Energizer newsletter to receive actionable advice, exclusive content, early access offers and discounts – IT Career Energizer Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Michael Frew is a technology veteran with 20+ years of experience. He now acquires 6 and 7 figure software and SaaS companies that generate him a 7-figure pre-tax annual income. Top 3 Career Tips 1. There is always the opportunity to acquire a business rather than start a new business. You can acquire an existing business from an entrepreneur when they’re looking to move onto the next thing. In 2024 many entrepreneurs are looking to start businesses around artificial intelligence and selling off businesses they currently own. 2. Remember that the long-term goal is to be better every single time. 3. Don’t fret if you feel like you’re not a good entrepreneur. You can be a good operator and still be successful with your own business. Check out Michael’s personal website - MichaelFrew.com Subscribe to the IT Career Energizer newsletter to receive actionable advice, exclusive content, early access offers and discounts – IT Career Energizer Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Dr. Kyle Elliott is confidant to many of the biggest names in Silicon Valley. He is a tech career coach, interview coach and job search expert. Kyle's Top 3 Career Tips 1. Consistency is important. You need to put in the hard work. Spend time putting in effort and don’t look for a quick trick or shortcut to success. Be strategic and intentional on what you work on. 2. Life begins outside your comfort zone. 3. Find mentors both within and beyond tech who can support you along your career journey, serve as your sounding board and provide you with guidance and coaching. Mentorship is critical. Find people who are where you want to be in five, ten or twenty years from now. Check out Kyle’s website - CaffeinatedKyle.com Subscribe to the IT Career Energizer newsletter to receive actionable advice, exclusive content, early access offers and discounts – IT Career Energizer Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Al Kingsley has almost 30 years’ experience in educational technology and digital safeguarding, with a passion for education. He’s the CEO of EdTech company, NetSupport, and an EdTech author. Al's Top 3 Career Tips 1. You are born with two eyes, two ears and one mouth. You should use them in appropriate proportions. You don’t need to be the first person to speak to prove your worth. Listen to others, assimilate their views and then share an insight. 2. Stand your ground. If you’ve listened and absorbed and you genuinely believe that something is right don’t be scared to stand your ground. 3. Be bold. Be Brave. Go with your heart. Don’t go with the obvious. Look for opportunities where you will be motivated and energized. Check out Al’s personal website - AlKingsley.com Subscribe to the IT Career Energizer newsletter to receive actionable advice, exclusive content, early access offers and discounts – IT Career Energizer Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I just started listening to this podcast a couple of weeks ago and love every episode so far.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you – in being successful in their tech careers. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Caroline Bedford, the founder and creator of Digital Minds, an award-winning innovation programme. Her forte is embedding design thinking, future-focused skills and a creative mindset within traditional roles in the insurance and corporate tech worlds. Using her 30+ years of technology and specialty insurance experience, she brings to life discovery, ideation, innovation and cultural change within insurance organisations. She focuses her passion on developing career longevity and digital confidence across all ages and levels. And capability and curiosity in business practitioners of all roles. She has a deep-seated belief that to future-proof your career, an ever-agile Generalist approach to support industry and customer needs is the key to happy staff, happy leaders and happy clients Caroline talks to Phil about the value we can find in being as prepared as possible. She also discusses why it’s wise to accept opportunities when they arise and think about how to action them later. KEY TAKEAWAYS: TOP CAREER TIP: We often find ourselves in situations that with a little thought, we may have been able to predict. The key to success is to be as prepared as possible for as many eventualities as possible. WORST CAREER MOMENT While working for a company, Caroline realized that she did not believe in the company itself or their product. This grated against her values, and proved that being congruent with your company’s mission is vital. CAREER HIGHLIGHT The day that EDII was incorporated was one of the biggest moments in Caroline’s career. Starting out on her own was life-changing. THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T Diversity and inclusion in IT is becoming far more widespread, allowing for a greater wealth of talent and skill sets to enter the sector. THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – It was a challenge What’s the best career advice you received? – Don’t wait until you need a network to build one. What’s the worst career advice you received? – You’ve started so you have to finish What would you do if you started your career now? – Caroline would delve deep into psychological behavior combined with human and technology. What are your current career objectives? – To create a model and seek partners globally. What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Being able to raise great questions, improve energy and respect others How do you keep your own career energized? – Perpetual learning What do you do away from technology? – Caroline is a huge fan of science fiction. FINAL CAREER TIP If someone offers you an opportunity, always make sure you say yes first and then figure out how to do it later. BEST MOMENTS (10:31) – Caroline – “You can’t be inclusive by being exclusive” (12:24) – Caroline - “Practice your spontaneity” (13:30) – Caroline – “We need to make mistakes in order to learn” (15:10)– Caroline – “An interview is an opportunity for you to find out if they are a good fit for you” ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions. Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers. And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey. CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_philburgess LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast’s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook -...

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Brandon Bramley, the founder of The Salary Negotiator. Brandon provides professional job offer and salary negotiation coaching to help IT professionals navigate the job offer negotiation process confidently and earn higher compensation. He’s coached clients through hundreds of salary negotiations with companies ranging in size from small businesses and startups to some of the largest global corporations such as Google, Meta, Apple, and Microsoft. And he has a background in strategic negotiations, having worked in professional negotiation roles for companies including Amazon and American Airlines. KEY TAKEAWAYS: TOP CAREER TIP Stay away from some of the myths that surround job offer negotiations. People are made to feel that they don’t have the leverage to negotiate, but this isn’t true. WORST CAREER MOMENT After making a big career move, Brandon realized that he had made a terrible mistake and decided to return to his previous job. Through this he learned to follow his instincts and understand that not all opportunities are a great fit in the end. CAREER HIGHLIGHT Upon negotiating his very first job offer, Brandon realized that it is a viable strategy, and built a successful business centering on it as a result. THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T The fact that IT talent is being respected at last, and the additional benefits being brought in by companies in order to make sure that they secure the best people in their field. THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – Career progression took place naturally. What’s the best career advice you received? – If you’re a success then you will always follow opportunities What’s the worst career advice you received? – You should always stay at companies for a long time What would you do if you started your career now? – Brandon would look more into software engineering What are your current career objectives? – To become a better coach and negotiator, as well as provide more free resources. What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Adopting a professional and friendly approach to negotiations. How do you keep your own career energized? – Sharing insights and learnings with academic institutions and their students. What do you do away from technology? – Skiing, hiking and travelling. FINAL CAREER TIP Switching jobs should not be scary – don’t be afraid to change if something isn’t working for you. BEST MOMENTS (4:28) – Brandon – “People should be negotiating their job offers, so they make sure they’re coming in at the low end of the band” (15:29) – Brandon - “Not all opportunities are the right fit” (21:25) – Brandon – “Successful people do not turn down opportunities” (27:08)– Brandon – “I didn’t know if I could negotiate, but I jumped out and did it!” ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions. Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers. And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey. CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_philburgess LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast’s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer ABOUT THE GUEST – BRANDON BRAMLEY Brandon Bramley is the founder of The Salary Negotiator. He provides professional job offer and salary...

In this week’s show, Phil talks to James Malley, the CEO and Co-Founder of Paccurate. He has been working in the logistics tech space since 2009 and has helped create a variety of enterprise shipping technology. He spearheaded the design of an award-winning multi-carrier TMS (Transportation Management Software) and since 2015, he’s been evangelizing the use of AI to achieve cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable packing. James talks about the importance of investing in communication to make the innovation process easier. He also discusses the value of optimism and trying to see the best side of every situation. KEY TAKEAWAYS: TOP CAREER TIP When building something new that has no precedent, it’s always best to focus more upon communication in the early stages, to make the process easier. WORST CAREER MOMENT During a joint venture with a large company, James’s work was not matched by his partner. Through this he learned to be wary of partners and what they can provide in terms of value. CAREER HIGHLIGHT Conversely, a partnership entered into after gaining experience, proved entirely fruitful, especially when it came to sustainability. THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T There are always problems to be solved – innovations to be found – even when we think we’ve come as far as we can. This makes the world of IT perennially exciting and challenging. THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – James found his love for IT through design and problem solving. What’s the best career advice you received? – Say yes to everything What’s the worst career advice you received? – To again, say yes to everything! What would you do if you started your career now? – James would work on problems that other people are dealing with, and not things that nobody is asking for. What are your current career objectives? – Becoming a better CEO, helping others to achieve more and finding better ways to work remotely. What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Networking. How do you keep your own career energized? – Making the supply chain more sustainable and less wasteful. What do you do away from technology? – Spending time with his three-year-old son and trying to prevent household accidents! FINAL CAREER TIP Be a micro-pessimist, but a macro-optimist. It’s easy to be pessimistic and difficult to see the best in a situation. But the best of the best can see the light in everything. BEST MOMENTS (8:08) – James – “Invest in messaging and communication” (12:05) – James - “You may look around and think every problem has been solved. The truth is that’s not the case” (12:37) – James – “Get comfortable with whatever industry you’re in. That’s where you’ll find the most valuable ideas” (18:11)– James – “Focus on solving problems, and you’ll find your niche sooner rather than later” ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions. Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers. And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey. CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PhilBurgess LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast’s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer ABOUT THE GUEST – JAMES MALLEY James Malley is the CEO and Co-Founder of Paccurate. He has been working in the...

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Luke Switkowski, the CEO and cofounder of Kognitiv, a company that provides Workday consultancy and professional services. He has been working with Workday for more than a decade and developed an on-demand services model supporting Workday clients. Luke talks about why skill sets are at the heart of every IT career. He also discusses the value of patience when it comes to unhappiness in your career path. KEY TAKEAWAYS: TOP CAREER TIP To build a career, you have to build a skill set. It takes patience and time, but everything is predicated upon this, so give it your full attention. WORST CAREER MOMENT While consulting on a project, the testing was something of a disaster. Testing showed that the systems built were dysfunctional and barely working. CAREER HIGHLIGHT Starting the Kognitiv business, and making it a success! THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T The tools and capabilities available to everyone in the world of today are very exciting, and enable us to make incredible things. THE REVEAL What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – The potential to tinker and solve problems What’s the best career advice you received? – Niche down and learn your specialist area. What’s the worst career advice you received? – That degrees of education are always important to every part of your career What would you do if you started your career now? – Work in consulting What are your current career objectives? – Making Kognitiv even better What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Asking questions How do you keep your own career energized? – Working on side projects and pursuits to make the world even better What do you do away from technology? – Barbecuing and grilling! FINAL CAREER TIP If you’re not happy in a position then don’t react by quitting immediately. Look for the root cause of your unhappiness and try to fix it. BEST MOMENTS (4:51) – Luke – “Whether we like it or not, we live in a skill-based economy and a skill-based society” (11:09) – Luke - “Don’t assume that everyone will perform their roles in a project. Take more ownership of the work you have to do, and really follow through on it” (15:37) – Luke – “Find a niche area in which you’re ready to learn, and learn it to the best of your ability” (18:52)– Luke – “Ask questions and don’t be afraid to ask for help” ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions. Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers. And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey. CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms: Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PhilBurgess LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast’s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer ABOUT THE GUEST – LUKE SWITKOWSKI Luke Switkowski is the CEO and cofounder of Kognitiv, a company that provides Workday consultancy and professional services. He has been working with Workday for more than a decade and developed an on-demand services model supporting Workday clients. CONTACT THE GUEST – LUKE SWITKOWSKI Twitter: https://twitter.com/kognitivinc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-switkowski/ Website: https://kognitivinc.com/