Glowing in Tech

We welcome back award-winning tech professional Yemurai to discuss the current state of the tech industry. In this insightful conversation, we explore: How the tech job market differs from 2020-2021, particularly for entry-level versus senior roles The challenges of breaking into tech in today's competitive environment Why networking has become essential for landing tech jobs in the current market Practical networking tips for introverts and beginners The importance of building your LinkedIn presence and personal brand Balancing online visibility with privacy and safety concerns as a tech professional Whether you're looking to break into tech, advance your career, or build meaningful industry connections, this episode offers valuable advice from someone who successfully navigated a "squiggly career" from chemistry to cybersecurity. Don't miss this candid discussion about the realities of today's tech landscape and actionable strategies for success! Please give us a review wherever you're listening, let us know your thoughts by sending us a message, we want to hear from you! Timestamps: 0:00 - Welcome and introduction to Yemurai 1:23 - The current state of the tech job market 2:45 - Entry-level challenges vs. senior opportunities 4:18 - Web3 and blockchain: Then vs. now 6:02 - How long does it really take to break into tech? 7:30 - Why networking is non-negotiable for job seekers 9:15 - The secret weapon: Working with recruiters 10:48 - How AI is changing recruitment strategies 12:30 - Networking tips for introverts 15:04 - Setting realistic networking goals 16:42 - "Your network is your net worth" 17:25 - Balancing online visibility with privacy 19:53 - Building a powerful LinkedIn presence 22:17 - Simple ways to start your LinkedIn journey 24:05 - Final thoughts and where to find Yemurai Notable Quotes "Your network is your net worth." - Yemurai "I think from an entry level perspective, it is incredibly challenging... But I know from a senior level and mid-entry level, there's a lot of opportunity once already working within the industry." - Yemurai "Even if you're not necessarily seeing the immediate benefits... it's those warm introductions. Somebody's seen your post, they recognize your name, they've seen your face. It just makes you stand out above the people that have sent the CVs that have got the exact same trajectory as you thus far." - Jessie Practical Takeaways Go beyond the CV: In today's competitive market, networking is non-negotiable for breaking into tech Start small with networking: Begin with online events if you're nervous, observe before participating Work with recruiters: Even entry-level candidates can benefit from recruiter relationships Document your journey: Use LinkedIn to share your experiences attending events and learning Set realistic networking goals: Aim for quality connections rather than quantity Maintain privacy boundaries: Be strategic about what personal information you share online Leverage in-person events: As AI makes perfect CVs easier to create, face-to-face connections become more valuable About Yemurai Yemurai has successfully navigated a career transition from chemistry to cybersecurity, winning recognition from We Are Tech Women along the way. She maintains a thoughtful approach to her online presence, balancing professional visibility with personal privacy, and actively shares entry-level tech opportunities through her platforms. Resources Mentioned We Are Tech Women awards Industry events and recruitment networking opportunities LinkedIn as a career development platform Renee Louise - BlaqByte Connect With Us and let us know your thoughts! @GlowinginTech across all social platforms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really take to pivot careers and thrive in tech? 🤔 Meet Yem, aka the STEM Babe, a senior associate in investment banking, content creator, and public speaker with a clear mission—empowering underrepresented groups to break into high-paying tech roles. 🌟 Join us in Part 1 as Yem shares her unconventional path from studying chemistry to excelling in cybersecurity, with inspiring detours through coding bootcamps, health tech startups, and groundbreaking projects tackling COVID-19. We unpack her candid advice on navigating career transitions, overcoming imposter syndrome, and leveraging transferable skills to land your dream job in tech. 💡 Key takeaway? Tech is not just an industry—it’s a skillset you can take anywhere. Stay tuned as we explore cybersecurity’s rising importance, what’s next for tech careers, and how community representation can transform opportunities. Don't miss out—listen now and follow Yem on TikTok & Instagram at @STEMBabe for more empowering insights! 🎙️ 00:00:00 - Introduction to Yem (STEM Babe) and her background 00:01:30 - Yem's transition from chemistry to cybersecurity during COVID 00:04:00 - Explanation of cybersecurity and its importance in today's world 00:06:00 - Geopolitical aspects and real-world examples of cyber threats 00:08:00 - "Technology as a skillset rather than an industry" philosophy 00:11:00 - Common pitfalls in tech career journeys and the reality of breaking into tech 00:14:00 - Advice on applying for jobs even when you don't meet all requirements 00:18:00 - Discussion about salary transparency and representation in tech 00:20:00 - The importance of pursuing high-paying careers for underrepresented groups 00:22:30 - How representation impacts career aspirations and access to opportunities 00:24:00 - Where to find Yem and teaser for part two Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Season 3 of Glowing in Tech! Join Jessie and new co-host Shantelle as they dive into their inspiring tech journeys, from humble beginnings to hackathon wins and career pivots. Discover how Black Valley and various coding bootcamps transformed their careers, leading to roles in product management, blockchain exploration, and entrepreneurship. They also discuss the challenges and rewards of community building in Web3, navigating career shifts, and the impact of AI and cybersecurity in today's tech landscape. Get ready for insightful conversations with women making waves in UK tech and tips on breaking into and thriving in the evolving tech world. 00:00 Welcome to Season 3 of Glowing in Tech 00:17 How We Met: The Black Valley Connection 01:48 Diving into Product Management 04:19 Hackathons and Blockchain Adventures 09:20 Transitioning to Blockchain Full-Time 14:39 Embracing Entrepreneurship and Funding 19:10 New Beginnings: Coding Bootcamp Journey 22:26 Navigating Early Challenges in Tech Roles 22:51 Community Building in Web3 23:42 Breaking Down Complex Topics for Everyone 28:12 The Importance of Representation in Tech 30:40 Innovative Solutions in Blockchain 33:28 Excitement for the Future of Web3 39:20 Spotlighting Women in UK Tech 40:53 Exploring AI and Cybersecurity 44:19 Predicting the Future of Tech 45:00 Welcome to the New Season Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a budding entrepreneur, or just curious about the world of blockchain, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more episodes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Nelly Kiboi discusses her experience discovering open source and working at Microsoft, as well as the importance of contributing to open source projects. She also talks about her transition to a new country and building confidence in herself through small steps and finding supportive communities. Nelly emphasizes that contributing to open source can take many forms, not just source code contributions. One can create lists, share fun projects, and even sponsor other contributors. She believes that open source work can help individuals stand out in job applications and improve their chances of landing a role. Nelly is committed to empowering the next generation of women in tech, and has created and led coding classes, contributed to groups that educate and encourage young women to build careers in tech. Her impact was acknowledged in 2021 when she received the esteemed FDM everywoman in Technology Software Engineer Award. View our resources, show notes and more on our website: https://glowingintech.com Stay up to date by following us on our socials:  LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/glowing-in-tech Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glowingintech Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glowingintech TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@glowingintech Work with us: https://forms.gle/eLMUST2puKzuA25c7 Check out our sponsors, Makers and follow them on socials: Website: https://www.makers.tech/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makersacademy/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/makersacademy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adrienne has been a Software Engineer for just under a year and currently works for a London-based software consultancy specialising in cloud-native technologies.  She began her career in corporate Public Relations, working with some of the UK’s most well known FTSE 100 companies. Not long after that she transitioned into technology and lifestyle PR at a boutique London PR agency where her clients included everything from dating apps to a high-speed air mobility company and venture capital firms.  After experimenting with coding during the pandemic, she secured a scholarship with Coding Black Females and Makers coding bootcamp in summer 2021 and started her first role in April 2022.  In this episode of the Glowing in Tech podcast, Adrienne walks us through how she transitioned from working in PR to learning how to code and landing a scholarship with Makers that bagged her a role as a Software Engineer.  She gives us the insight into the process to gain a scholarship through Makers, leaning into community when learning how to code and shares her industry insight all about cloud native transformation. View our resources, show notes and more on our website: glowingintech.com Stay up to date by following us on our socials:  LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/glowing-in-tech Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glowingintech Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/glowingintech TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@glowingintech Work with us: https://forms.gle/eLMUST2puKzuA25c7 Check out our sponsors, Makers and follow them on socials: Website: https://www.makers.tech/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makersacademy/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/makersacademy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices