Nicole Menkhoff takes us on a captivating journey through her professional evolution... from aerospace engineering with a focus on rocket propulsion to leadership roles at tech giants like Google, Twitter, and Apple, before launching her own consulting business in late 2024. Nicole recognized the tech industry's gradual shift away from true innovation and toward an overemphasis on profit and shareholder value. This sparked Nicole v3.0, a transformation from corporate tech leader to independe...
Kristina Kennedy's career journey takes us from the familiar terrain of tech layoffs to the total yum of French pastry kitchens. Having worked seven years in user experience research, her professional path took an unexpected turn when she was laid off. Rather than immediately jumping back into the tech job hunt, Christina paused to reconsider what truly brought her fulfillment. During the isolation of the pandemic, Kristina discovered baking as a source of presence and joy. She then pursued ...
What happens when you reject traditional business hierarchies and build something radically different? Jess Vice takes us on their journey from struggling English graduate to tech professional to co-founder of Kit Research and Strategy—a collective challenging how business gets done. After years of corporate instability, being repeatedly laid off without warning, Jess realized they needed to create a work environment aligned with their vision. The collective model Jess co-created offers clie...
Ricardo Brito shares his transformative journey from tech burnout to becoming a solopreneur and career coach. He offers insights for individuals considering career transitions, warning against waiting until burnout or layoffs to take action. • Ricardo’s background transitioning from graphic design to UX design • The importance of following curiosity and exploring new paths • Proactive planning to avoid financial insecurity during career changes • Warnings against chasing “golden handcuffs” a...
Curious about making a major career shift? Meet Tonia Bartz, a former UX Researcher turned holistic wellness coach, who shares her journey from the tech world to the realm of integrative nutrition and wellness. Embrace your imperfections! Whether you're staying in tech or considering moving to a new career, Tonia reminds us to listen to that little persistent voice. There's a reason we keep imagining alternative futures for ourselves. Tonia's links: Stay up to date on upcoming worksho...
Jeff Kim is a tech and design expert with decades of experience. His life took some wild turns after being laid off in October 2023. Join Jeff in the warm nostalgia of CorelDRAW and QuarkXPress, shifting into web design, and then years of UX work. After researching and rejecting a franchise opportunity, Jeff and his wife launched Minneapolis Sign Design, diving into the world of vehicle graphics and signage. The couple brought their years of entrepreneurship and business acumen skills ...
Faith Lane, a veteran UX Designer with over two decades of expertise, joins us to share her captivating career journey, marked by resilience and adaptability. After a layoff, she shifted to apply her UX skills in a non-traditional setting: Directing at a daycare company. Children, teachers, and parents are her new stakeholders. Where might Faith go from here? If tech jobs remain difficult to find, she's considering the funeral industry, perhaps funeral direction. It's another opportunity for...
Simone Robutti shares the wild and interesting journey of transforming his career from data engineering to a path aligned with his personal values. He's also juggling multiple work areas fantastically... from consultant to a fermentation studio to organizational design/process improvement. Simone discusses the pivotal roles and motivations that shaped his journey, including teaching political praxis and addressing workers' rights in the gig economy. He's truly a model of aligning professiona...
While staying in tech (UX research), Jenny Shirey takes a bold leap into the world of wine. It's a tale of resilience and transformation, where wine becomes more than just a beverage—it's a gateway to a fulfilling second career. As Jenny contemplates opening a wine shop or bar, her tale of transition offers invaluable lessons for anyone considering a career change. Setting deadlines and embracing accountability emerge as crucial strategies to overcome the overwhelming task of creating a busi...
John Braine is a UX Designer combining his passion for technology with his love for art and music. John shares his journey from self-taught web design in the 90s to shifting into UX design. John shares his practical techniques for integrating artistic pursuits into daily life, emphasizing the importance of small habits, consistent progress, and holding yourself accountable. John is staying in tech, and increasingly adding art and music as both hobbies and money-makers. Find him on Inst...
Ever wondered what it feels like to completely redefine your life's work? Join us as Heidi Araya from BrightLogic.ai shares her personal narrative of transformation from a seasoned tech veteran to a pioneering AI coach. Heidi opens up about her journey from roles in big tech, including technical writer and agile coach, to facing job uncertainty and discovering a new adventure. By enrolling in a data science program at MIT, Heidi initially aimed to spearhead AI initiatives but soon realized a ...
Discover the inspiring journey of Danielle Malik, a seasoned design leader who has transitioned from the tech world to make a significant impact in social causes. After two decades in the tech industry, Danielle embarked on a mission to align her work with her values. Motivated by her passion for addressing complex challenges in sectors like fintech, healthcare, and green energy, Danielle made the bold decision to transition from tech following a layoff. Get to know Danielle and her ne...
What happens when a seasoned tech professional trades design tools for home renovation tools? Meet Travis Ross from RedDogRenovation.com, our guest for this episode of Your Life After Tech. Travis takes us on a fascinating journey from his roots in 3D product design and academia to a semi-unexpected but gratifying career in home renovation. We also discussed the traditional concept of work-life balance, advocating instead for more humane and flexible work structures that prioritize wel...