
Blossoming Technologist
By Marisa Hoenig
Stay updated about new episodes through Instagram and Twitter @blossoming_tech.

Blossoming TechnologistSep 26, 2022

49. Replay: Landing a Top-Tier Internship with Alexandra Foote
How do you get an internship at a top tech company? Once you secure the internship, how do you make the most of that experience?
Meet Alexandra Foote, a product manager at Microsoft and career coach helping students secure internships. During her time studying computer science at Georgia Tech, Alexandra interned at Google, Microsoft, and Bank of America. With her internship experience, she began coaching hundreds of students to land job offers at top tech companies. Now, she continues to coach students through her course "Tech Internship Toolkit" and free masterclass "How to Land an Internship at a Top Tech Company."
In this episode, we dive into how to get internships and why they're so important. We talk about common mistakes students make, how to make the most of your internship experience, and how to prepare for technical interviews.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Tech Internship Toolkit Course: techjobshop.com How to Land an Internship at a Top Tech Company Masterclass: alexandrafoote.com/blossoming-technologist LinkedIn Learning: linkedin.com/learningConnect with Alexandra:
Website: alexandrafoote.com LinkedIn: /footealexandra Instagram: @fancyfootework Facebook: @fancyfooteworkFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_tech Twitter: @blossoming_tech LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologistConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
48. Replay: Security Doesn't Need to be Complicated with Sara Diaz
What does a career in security look like? Why is security crucial for everyone to understand? Meet Sara Diaz, the Information Security Lead for ThoughtWorks North America. After starting her career as a quality analyst, she moved into information security and has been at ThoughtWorks for 5 years. Sara is passionate about making security accessible and easy to understand; you shouldn't need to be an expert to protect your digital life.
In our conversation, we talk all things security: what it means, different career paths, what a day-to-day looks like, resources, skills, and more.
Mentioned in This Episode:
CIA Security Triad: bit.ly/3c5zF0i (f5.com) GDPR: bit.ly/3qKwgIh (wiki) SANS: www.sans.org Axios: www.axios.com Password Managers: 1Password, DashLane, KeePass, LastPassFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_tech Twitter: @blossoming_tech LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologistConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
47. Replay: Going to Grad School with Stephen Sam
What’s it really like to get a master’s degree? How does the workload compare to a bachelor’s degree?
Learn from Stephen Sam, a Cloud and LexMobile Solutions Software Developer at LexMark. Stephen recently graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Masters in Computer Science & Engineering. During his master's program, he was a GEM-Full Fellow and active member of his local National Society of Black Engineers chapter. Stephen is also a co-host to the podcast, After Dinner Conversations, discussing challenges in adulthood.
In this episode, we talk about everything grad school: when to get your master’s, your advisor’s role, the experience of taking the GRE, the workload, the experience of doing research, and how a fellowship can help.
Mentioned in This Episode:
GEM Fellowship: gemfellowship.org Lexmark: lexmark.com NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP): nsfgrfp.org After Dinner Conversations Podcast: linktr.ee/AfterDinnerConversations Pass the Aux Vol. 1 (Spotify): spoti.fi/3FpcAkqConnect with Stephen:
LinkedIn: bit.ly/30DAhaa Instagram: @ReigningBoss After Dinner Conversations Instagram: @adconvosFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologistConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
46. Replay: Shaping Your Software Engineering Career with Victoria Kirst
How do you shape a career you love? Why should you pursue software engineering especially if you don't want to sit behind a computer all day?
Meet Victoria Kirst, an incoming software engineer at The Browser Company, former software engineer at Google for 8 years, former lecturer at Stanford, and most recently the Director of Platform and then VP of Engineering at a startup, Glitch. Victoria is passionate about software engineering and education, and in our conversation, she shares insights about her career journey to help others succeed in software engineering.
In this episode, Victoria discusses what she loves about software engineering, what stops people from choosing software engineering, how to shape your career, choosing the right career, when to leave a job, how to define a startup, differences between working at a big company versus a startup, and the responsibilities of a VP of Engineering. We also talk about her new project that you can get involved in to stay on track with your learning goals: Everybody Study Club.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Code In Place Call for Teachers: codeinplace.stanford.edu/teach Ashley C. Ford Quote (Twitter): bit.ly/2OnJeOM "Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir" by Ashley C. Ford (preorder): amzn.to/2OmLaHg "What the Hell is a Startup Anyway" Techcrunch Article: tcrn.ch/3tkHJ2j "The Manager's Path" by Camille Fournier: bit.ly/2OxpRm9Connect with Victoria:
Twitter: @heyvrk LinkedIn: /victoriakirst Everybody Study Club: everybodystudy.clubFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_tech Twitter: @blossoming_tech LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologistConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
45. Replay: Prioritizing Mental Health with Mahmoud Khedr
How can your job impact your mental health? What can you do to make your mental health a priority? Today's episode features Mahmoud Khedr, the Co-Founder and CEO of FloraMind, an organization that develops tools to guide young people toward positive mental health.
Mahmoud is a proud Egyptian immigrant passionate about empowering underserved communities through mental health education. His career began in tech, with companies like Facebook and Google, which led to his focus on entrepreneurship and mental health. We discuss his experience working in tech and starting companies, with lessons on entrepreneurship and how to prioritize your well-being. We also dive into the inspiration behind FloraMind, stories from teaching mental health workshops to kids, and why toxic positivity is a problem. Get ready to be inspired!
Mentioned in This Episode:
FloraMind: https://www.floramind.com Mahmoud’s Toxic Positivity TED Talk: https://bit.ly/2LaYw7v Virtual Enterprises International: https://veinternational.org Crisis Text Line: https://www.crisistextline.org or Text HOME to 741741 Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 NYC Well: 1-888-NYC-WELL or text WELL to 65173MConnect with Mahmoud:
Instagram: @mahmoudkhedrnyc LinkedIn: /mahmkhedr Twitter: @MoodyKhedr Website: http://mahmoudkhedr.comFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_tech Twitter: @blossoming_tech LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologistConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
44. The Importance of Breaks
Why is it important to take breaks?
In this short solo episode, Marisa talks about the benefits of taking a break. This will also be the last new episode before a short break where we'll be replaying some favorite episodes from seasons one and two. We'll be back soon to continue season three!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Todoist Your Brain at Work bookConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologist YouTube channelCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
43. Getting Started in Healthcare Tech with Gulé Sheikh
How can you use your tech skills in healthcare? What are gaps in healthcare that technology can solve?
Meet Gulé Skeikh, a former CTO who has been bridging the gap between Healthcare and Technology for over 12 years. As CTO of eazyScripts, she developed the first proprietary algorithm for medication price transparency in the United States.
In this episode, we discuss innovations in healthcare, how technology helps in healthcare, and how to get started in healthcare tech.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/epe5m8KR_K8
Mentioned in This Episode:
eazyScripts Gulé's Presentation Start with Why TED Talk Good to Great bookConnect with Gulé:
LinkedIn TwitterFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologist YouTube channelConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Video & Audio Editing by Podlab (Private) Limited Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
42. Engineering Operations & Glue Work with Shannon Jackson
What is engineering operations and how do you get started? Why should every young professional know what "glue work" is?
Meet Shannon Jackson, an Engineering Manager of Engineering Operations at Chime and a former Ruby software developer. In her role, she creates and crafts everything operational that makes a healthy, happy, and lasting engineering organization. While Eng Ops is found at several organizations, it's a new role in the tech industry.
In this episode, we discuss what Engineering Operations is, why it's necessary, and how it can improve the lives of developers day-to-day. We also talk about glue work, in which early/mid career folks are tasked with essential work that is never actually assigned to anyone. These two topics are related and important for young professionals to know about.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Mystery Code Society Dropbox article about engineering ops Video: Being Glue by Tanya Reilly Article: Being Glue by Tanya Reilly graceful.devConnect with Shannon:
LinkedIn TwitterFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn YouTube channelConnect with Marisa:
Twitter LinkedInCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Video & Audio Editing by Podlab (Private) Limited Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
41. Cybersecurity & How to Protect Yourself Online with Lakeidra Smith
Why should you use a password manager and 2-Factor Authentication? How prevalent are cyberattacks today?
Learn from Lakeidra Smith, the Founder and CEO of The Cyber Consultant, LLC and author of Cyber Curiosity: A Beginner's Guide to Cybersecurity. She shares the best ways to protect yourself online and examples of cyberattacks happening to everyday people. We also discuss what cybersecurity means and why it's important to understand it.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_53IWtrcX5k
Mentioned in This Episode:
Buy Cyber Curiosity on Amazon Google 2FA LastPass 1PasswordConnect with Lakeidra:
Website Instagram LinkedIn FacebookFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologist YouTube channelConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Video & Audio Editing by Podlab (Private) Limited Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
40. How to Become a CTO with James Connor
What does the path from software developer to CTO look like? What skills do you need to take on the role?
Learn from James Connor, a social entrepreneur, founder, and fractional CTO. James helps organizations solve their tech problems. He built a nonprofit and multiple startups to provide the tools for these companies to succeed in this fast-evolving technological world.
In this episode, we discuss the role of CTO (Chief Technology Officer): the path from developer to CTO, the day-to-day of a CTO, what skills you need, how technical you need to be, and advice for aspiring CTOs.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v-DBpdcNacU
Mentioned in This Episode:
AdvisorBOB ONTrac Voice4ImpactConnect with Jim:
LinkedInFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologist YouTube channelConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Video & Audio Editing by Podlab (Private) Limited Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
39. Startups: From Recruitment to New Hire with Chase Kocher
What's it like to interview for and work at a startup? How is the startup experience different from bigger companies?
Learn from Chase Kocher, the Founder and CEO of Aim4Hire, a boutique tech recruiting firm based in Austin, Texas. Aim4Hire partners with hyper-growth tech companies to recruit tech talent in Austin and for fully-remote positions. Not only does Chase own a startup, but he works with dozens of startups every day.
In this episode, Chase talks about why candidates should consider working at a startup, how that interview process is different from bigger companies, and advice for current job-seekers. We also cover what it's like to work with a recruitment agency to secure a job.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pzFiS772Dig
Mentioned in This Episode:
Crunchbase layoffs.fyiConnect with Chase:
LinkedIn /chase-kocher Aim4Hire Website Aim4Hire InstagramFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologist YouTube channelConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Video & Audio Editing by Podlab (Private) Limited Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Cover Art by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
38. Explaining Databases and Other Tech Concepts Through Metaphors with Aman Y. Agarwal
How can you better understand technical concepts as a non-technical professional?
In this episode, we chat with Aman Y. Agarwal, the Founder and CEO at SANPRAM TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION and host of two podcasts: The Age of AI and The Eccentric CEO. He also recently published his book "Tech Fluent CEO," which helps non-technical founders gain an understanding of technical concepts like databases, caching, and artificial intelligence.
While his book is aimed at CEOs, it's a great book for anyone looking to learn more about technical concepts! We discuss why it's important for CEOs to understand technical concepts, the inspiration behind Aman's book, and a deep-dive into databases' similarities to libraries. Check out the link to a free PDF of "Tech Fluent CEO" below!
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RGttkQqFdgg
Mentioned in This Episode:
Free PDF of Tech Fluent CEO Book Purchase Tech Fluent CEO Medium article: "College seniors, here’s the #1 way to get yourself a JOB you love, before graduation"Connect with Aman:
Website Twitter @mngrwl LinkedIn /mngrwl MediumFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologist YouTube channelConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Video & Audio Editing by Podlab (Private) Limited Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
37. How to Get Started in Tech
How do you get started in tech? What programming language should you learn first?
In this solo episode, Marisa answers the #1 question people ask her: "How do I start in tech?" She talks through 3 main sections: figuring out the right role, understanding that tech is everywhere, and where to start as a software developer.
Marisa Hoenig is the founder and host of Blossoming Technologist. She also works full-time as a software developer consultant at Thoughtworks and is based out of Denver, Colorado. She is on a mission to help young professionals discover the right tech career for them through her podcast.
Mentioned in This Episode:
choice.crd.co Ep 36. Choosing a Great Coding Bootcamp with Jai Bhagat Stanford 106A - Karel Reader freeCodeCamp Harvard CS50 - Intro to Computer Science dev.to 100 Days of Code CourseraConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologist YouTube channelCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
36. Choosing a Great Coding Bootcamp with Jai Bhagat
How do you choose the perfect coding bootcamp? After graduating bootcamp, how do you find the right job?
Jai Bhagat is a UI Engineer working on Nomad, a flexible container orchestrator. He is currently building a free course to help fellow bootcamp grads who are struggling to get hired. Jai has personally worked with 60 bootcamp grads to get them hired and has studied 100+ existing bootcamps to determine the best ones to enroll in.
In this episode, we discuss common misconceptions about bootcamps, how to determine the right bootcamp for you, which questions to ask before enrolling, how to find a job afterward, and much more.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sOw57fxsXzU
Mentioned in This Episode:choice.crd.co Ship30for30 CIRR Myers Briggs Personality Test DISC Personality Test Principles You Personality Test by Ray Dalio freeCodeCamp How to Teach Adults by Dan Spalding Bootcamp: Turing School Bootcamp: Codesmith Bootcamp: Rithm Bootcamp: Launch School Bootcamp: App Academy Bootcamp: Hack Reactor Icky Guy Reach Out by Molly Beck
Connect with Jai:
Twitter @ChaiWithJai
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech
Twitter @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn /blossoming-technologist
Connect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig
LinkedIn /marisahoenig
Credits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig
Video & Audio Editing by Podlab (Private) Limited
Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng
Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns

35. How to Get a Job on LinkedIn with Chloe Belangia
Looking for a new job and wondering how to pivot? Want to learn how to leverage LinkedIn to find your dream job?
In this episode, we chat with Chloe Belangia, an executive recruiter and self-professed die-hard LinkedIn fan. Chloe is passionate about helping young professionals find the perfect careers, with her podcast, TikTok, LinkedIn group, and 1:1 mentorship calls. Her LinkedIn group, Young Professional Career Connects, helps connect young professional job seekers to recruiters and full-time employees.
In this episode, we discuss mistakes people make with their LinkedIn profiles, how to stand out to recruiters, when it's the right time to leave your job, and so much more!
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lPL4nwpzHVU
Mentioned in This Episode:
Young Professionals Career Connects LinkedIn Group
The Passages Project Instagram @thepassagesproject
Connect with Chloe:
TikTok @chloebelangia
Instagram @chloebelangia
LinkedIn /chloebelangia
Website
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech
Twitter @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn /blossoming-technologist
YouTube channel
Connect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig
LinkedIn /marisahoenig
Credits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig
Video & Audio Editing by Podlab (Private) Limited
Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng
Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns

34. Aerospace R&D and Proposals with Sean Hoenig
How does Research & Development in aerospace relate to tech? What are grant proposals used for?
Sean Hoenig is a proposal manager at Advanced Space in Westminster, Colorado. He has over 7 years of experience in Research & Development as well as a Bachelors and Masters in chemical engineering from Lehigh University.
In this short episode, we talk about research & development in aerospace, what grant proposals are used for, and challenges while writing proposals.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Advanced Space
Capstone Mission
Connect with Sean:
LinkedIn /seanhoenig
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech
Twitter @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn /blossoming-technologist
YouTube channel
Connect with Marisa: Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenig
Credits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig
Video & Audio Editing by Podlab (Private) Limited
Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng
Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns

33. Lessons Learned Interviewing Technologists
Welcome back for Season 3 of Blossoming Technologist! We're so excited to share this season's episodes. We will once again be publishing episodes every Monday!
In this episode, Marisa talks about upcoming changes to the podcast, including publishing both audio and video versions of the podcast! Want to check out the video? Watch on Spotify or YouTube.
Marisa also discusses 6 lessons she learned from interviewing 30+ technologists over the course of this podcast and how these lessons can relate to your job.
Episodes Mentioned:
Episode 6. Prioritizing Mental Health with Mahmoud Khedr Episode 14. Shaping Your Software Engineering Career with Victoria Kirst Episode 13. Intro to Cloud Computing with Joshua "TechDev" Walker Episode 4. Building a Viral Side Project with Benji Bear Episode 31. Learning Through Side Projects with Justin HigginsConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologist YouTube channelCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Video & Audio Editing by Podlab (Private) Limited Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
32. 7 Lessons from a First-Time Tech Lead
What's it like to be a tech lead? What about playing the role for the first time?
In this solo episode and the last episode of Season 2, Marisa Hoenig talks about her 5-month experience as a tech lead, from the initial discussion that led to taking on the role to her decision to move back to a developer position. Based out of Denver, Marisa is the host of Blossoming Technologist and a software developer consultant at Thoughtworks.
This episode covers the feelings of imposter syndrome taking on the tech lead at a young age, the 7 biggest lessons learned from being a first-time tech lead, and advice for others taking on the role.
Thanks for listening, and we'll see you soon in Season 3!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Medium article: bit.ly/3wlDPLnMURAL: mural.co
ADR Templates: adr.github.io
Bus Factor: wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_factor
Connect with Marisa:
Twitter: @marisahoenigLinkedIn: /marisahoenig
Instagram: @marisahoenig
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist
Credits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
31. Learning Through Side Projects with Justin Higgins
Why should you start a side project? How do you come up with new project ideas?
Meet Justin Higgins, a software engineer and creative programmer based out of Los Angeles. With over ten years of software development experience, Justin has helped companies like Beats Music and Polaroid launch and scale their services to millions of users. Justin is the Founder of 24 Hour Homepage, a website in which every second is a clickable image for advertising. This creative endeavor was an effort to learn sales and marketing while leveraging his software development skills.
In this episode, we discuss Justin's love for side projects, and how he utilizes them to tackle skills he wants to learn. We also discuss ways to learn and come up with ideas and how he utilizes platforms like Twitter to connect with people for his projects.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Ship 30 For 30: ship30for30.com The Most Dangerous Writing App: squibler.io/dangerous-writing-prompt-app Getting Things Done by David Allen: bit.ly/3vE21bI Starting Condition project: startingcondition.com Azul Board Game: bit.ly/3vLfOgCConnect with Justin:
24 Hour Homepage: 24HourHomepage.com Twitter: @justinprojects Medium: higgins.medium.comFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologistConnect with Marisa:
Twitter: @marisahoenig LinkedIn: /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
30. UX Design Parallels with Mesoamerican Culture with Itzy Ramirez
What are the parallels between UX design and Mesoamerican culture? What's it like to switch from graphic design to UX design?
Learn from Itzy Ramirez, a New York City-based user experience designer with more than 10 years of design experience. She's worked in content marketing and publishing and has seen how user experience principles can be applied to graphic design. Itzy is also deeply connected to the culture of her ancestors in Mesoamerica, which inspires much of the art she creates.
We discuss switching from graphic design to user experience design and how the two are different. Itzy talks about how her appreciation for Mesoamerican culture has made her a better designer and the parallels between her culture and design.
Mentioned in This Episode:
General Assembly UX Design Immersive: generalassemb.ly/education/user-experience-design-immersive Antropologist Dr. Dori Tunstall, Twitter: @dori_danthro Semillas Collective Instagram: @semillas_collectiveConnect with Itzy:
Design Instagram: @itzy_designs Personal Instagram: @itzyra Shop: society6.com/itzybitsydesignFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologistConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
29. Software Engineer to CEO: Building a Business with Trevor Ewen
What's it like to move from software engineering to business management?
Learn from Trevor Ewen, the CEO of Southport Technology Group and Partner at Southport Ventures. With 12 years of experience as a software engineer and an MBA from Columbia Business School and London Business School, Trevor understands how software development maps to business skills.
In this episode, we discuss the journey of jumping from software engineering into business and the paths you can take to get there. We also discuss the difference between a tech-enabled business and tech company, the workload of a CEO, how to translate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, and how acquisitions work.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Southport Technology Group: stg.software Southport Ventures: southportventures.com SearchFund Investing: searchfund.orgConnect with Trevor:
Website: trevorewen.com LinkedIn: /trevorewen Twitter: @trevor_ewenFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologistConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
28. Using No-Code To Build an App with Alexandria Tomayko
What is no-code? How can your business utilize no-code to save thousands of dollars?
Meet Alexandria Tomayko, the Founder of Little Black Book Series, an app built to bridge the gap between destination event planners and venues. During the pandemic, Alexandria started building a no-code solution for her company's web application, which serves as a proof of concept to investors and clients.
In this episode, we discuss why no-code is a great solution for new applications and how to get started. Alexandria explains some of the struggles of learning how to build an app this way but how awesome it can truly be. We also discuss how no-code is a solution for both developers and non-developers.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Glide: glideapps.com Bubble: bubble.io Airdev: airdev.co openBuild: openbuild.ioConnect with Alexandria:
Website: blackbookseries.com Instagram: @lblackbookseries LinkedIn: /alexandria-tomayko Company LinkedIn: bit.ly/33Z0W2jFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologistConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
27. Bitcoin: The Most Important Freedom Technology with Alex Dischinger
How does bitcoin help immigrants and refugees? What is bitcoin and how do you get started?
Learn from Alex Dischinger, Host of the Tucson Bitcoin Podcast. Based out of Tucson, Arizona, Alex is passionate about educating others about bitcoin and how it can be leveraged in everyday life.
In today's episode, we discuss the basics of bitcoin and why it's the most important freedom technology. Alex speaks with bitcoin experts regularly in his mission to make an impact in his community with bitcoin.
Mentioned in This Episode:
The Pomp Podcast: anthonypompliano.com/podcast What Bitcoin Did Podcast: whatbitcoindid.com The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous: bit.ly/3JV3PSk The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich A. Hayek: bit.ly/3tjiUXM Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt: bit.ly/33bbs6d Bitcoin Audible Podcast: bitcoinaudible.com Swan Bitcoin: swanbitcoin.com River Financial: river.com Strike: strike.meConnect with Alex:
Tucson Bitcoin Podcast: apple.co/3q83dkf Twitter: @Tucson_Bitcoin AZ Bitcoin Network Meetup: meetup.com/azbitcoin Toxic Airwaves Podcast: apple.co/3zEiRaeFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologist YouTube channelConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
26. Designing Logos & NFTs with Arinjay Shekhar
How do you mint and sell an NFT? What is the process of designing a logo?
Meet Arinjay Shekhar, a 16-year-old self-taught freelance designer, based out of Delhi, India, who started his business at the age of 12. Not only does Arinjay design logos for companies, but he also creates art online to sell as NFTs.
In this episode, we discuss the process and challenges of designing logos. We talk about how NFTs work and Arinjay's first-hand experience of listing and selling them.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Photoshop: adobe.com/products/photoshop Illustrator: adobe.com/products/illustrator Procreate: procreate.art Fiverr: fiverr.com Discord Community: discord.gg/jrRHS3CpvY Instahues: instahues.com Foundation: foundation.app OpenSea: opensea.io Rarible: rarible.com Short Film: https://bit.ly/3GgXpKFConnect with Arinjay:
Twitter: @arinjayshekhar Instagram: @arinjayshekhar Foundation: foundation.app/@arinjayshekhar Website: arinjayshekhar.com Blog: arinjayshekhar.com/blogs/nftjourneyFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologistConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
25. What It's Really Like to Work in Tech with Jennifer Robertson
What are common misconceptions about the tech industry? What is required to get a job in tech?
In this episode, we cover the realities of getting into tech and the roles you can find. We break down common misconceptions about the industry and why that shouldn't hold you back.
We're joined by Jennifer Robertson, a co-founder of Qwasar Silicon Valley, a digital learning platform focused on technical skills. Based out of Seattle, Jennifer has a mixed background with 10+ years of experience in marketing, sales, business development, and education. She works with students in Qwasar's training programs and understands the realities of getting a job in tech and learning the necessary skills.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Blossoming Technologist 15. From the Recruiter's Perspective: spoti.fi/3DsSHHZFollow Qwasar:
Website: qwasar.io Instagram: @qwasarsiliconvalley Twitter: @QwasarSVFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologistConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
24. Mobile Development & Necessary Soft Skills with Tim Bornholdt
What are the unique challenges of building a mobile app? Which soft skills are essential for developers?
Learn from Tim Bornholdt, an entrepreneur, developer, and podcaster based out of Minneapolis. Tim is the co-founder and partner at The Jed Mahonis Group, a tech agency that builds custom iOS and Android software for businesses. His podcast, Constant Variables, is a show that explains app development without technical jargon.
In this episode, we talk about mobile development as well as soft skills as a developer. We start with Tim's journey from buying the first iPhone to learning mobile development and starting his company. We discuss how soft skills are often even more important than the tech skills as a developer and how this plays into who he hires.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Stanford Mobile Development Course: web.stanford.edu/class/cs47 Coursera: coursera.orgConnect with Tim:
LinkedIn: /timbornholdt Constant Variables Podcast: constantvariables.co Constant Variables Twitter: @cv_podcastFollow Jed Mahonis Group:
Website: jmg.mn Twitter: @JedMahonisGroup Instagram: @jedmahonisgroupFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologistConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
23. Going to Grad School with Stephen Sam
What’s it really like to get a master’s degree? How does the workload compare to a bachelor’s degree?
Learn from Stephen Sam, a Cloud and LexMobile Solutions Software Developer at LexMark. Stephen recently graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Masters in Computer Science & Engineering. During his master's program, he was a GEM-Full Fellow and active member of his local National Society of Black Engineers chapter. Stephen is also a co-host to the podcast, After Dinner Conversations, discussing challenges in adulthood.
In this episode, we talk about everything grad school: when to get your master’s, your advisor’s role, the experience of taking the GRE, the workload, the experience of doing research, and how a fellowship can help.
Mentioned in This Episode:
GEM Fellowship: gemfellowship.org Lexmark: lexmark.com NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP): nsfgrfp.org After Dinner Conversations Podcast: linktr.ee/AfterDinnerConversations Pass the Aux Vol. 1 (Spotify): spoti.fi/3FpcAkqConnect with Stephen:
LinkedIn: bit.ly/30DAhaa Instagram: @ReigningBoss After Dinner Conversations Instagram: @adconvosFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologistConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
22. Machine Learning Meets Wine with Aubrey Terrazas
Aubrey Terrazas is an 18-year hospitality professional, Master Sommelier candidate, and co-founder of Palate Club, a digital wine service that uses machine learning to fit the user’s unique taste of wine. Based out of France, Aubrey uses her experience of tasting 100s of wines every year to identify over 200 wine traits, the core data for Palate Club's machine learning algorithm. Aubrey's ideas and disruption to the classic “wine club” model positioned her as one of America’s top sommeliers and wine entrepreneurs.
In this episode, we discuss the wine industry, giving background on how to become a Sommelier, Aubrey's experience in wine, and why blind taste-testing is such an important part of Palate Club. We also talk about how Palate Club utilizes machine learning, technologies being used in the wine industry (like blockchain!), and parallels between the wine and tech industries.
Make sure to enter our giveaway for a gift certificate for a blind tasting kit ($59 value): forms.gle/RS6h7bxrMsF2DHCd7
Mentioned in This Episode:
Palate Club Giveaway: forms.gle/RS6h7bxrMsF2DHCd7 Court of Master Sommeliers: mastersommeliers.org Famille Perrin Wines: m.familleperrin.com/12PCF6YRJ7 Chateau Ste. Michelle Wines: ste-michelle.comFollow Palate Club:
Website: palateclub.com Instagram:@palate_clubConnect with Aubrey:
Linkedin: /aubrey-terrazas Instagram: @aubreypopsbottles Twitter: @aubrey_terrazasFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologistConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
21. Digital Marketing & Building Your Personal Brand with Lucy Zheng
Lucy Zheng is a freelance social media marketer, Public Relations Specialist at Baldwin Legacy, and the new Public Relations Specialist for Blossoming Technologist. After graduating from the Thinkful Digital Marketing Immersion Program, Lucy completed a digital marketing internship and now helps companies improve their social media presence through freelancing.
In this conversation, we discuss what digital marketing entails, why it's important for companies, and how to get started. We also cover personal branding: how she rebranded herself, why personal branding is important, and how to create your own personal brand.
Mentioned in This Episode:
OhMyZsh: ohmyz.sh HubSpot Digital Marketing Certificate: bit.ly/2ZL4C5O Twitter Flight School: bit.ly/3EAYYSL Facebook Blueprint: bit.ly/3myju0g Google Analytics Academy: bit.ly/3mInPOF Atomic Habits: bit.ly/2Y6ykl8Connect with Lucy:
Website: lucyzheng.com LinkedIn: /lucyyzheng Instagram: @luckystar.lucyFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologistConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
20. Season 2: Welcome Back
Welcome back to Season 2 of Blossoming Technologist! In this intro episode, Marisa talks about the break between seasons, how the podcast has impacted her, topics for the rest of the season, and upcoming changes to the podcast.
Want to be a guest on our podcast? DM/email Marisa with contact info below.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Episode 0: https://bit.ly/2ZBMhb2 Blossoming Technologist Website: blossomingtechnologist.com Episode 11 (Arjun Chopra): https://bit.ly/2ZAbtyWConnect with Marisa:
Twitter @marisahoenig LinkedIn /marisahoenigFollow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram @blossoming_tech Twitter @blossoming_tech LinkedIn /blossoming-technologistCredits:
Podcast Production by Marisa Hoenig Social Media Marketing & Episode Cover Art by Lucy Zheng Podcast Logo by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns
19. Season 1 Finale
Tune in for the Season 1 Finale of Blossoming Technologist! In this episode, Marisa reflects on the past season and insights from being a podcaster. She talks about the behind-the-scenes of producing a podcast and the pros and cons of having a platform for content creation.
Marisa shares some exciting news on how to get involved with Blossoming Technologist (linked below!). She also provides suggestions for other podcasts to listen to and documentaries to watch while the podcast goes on a ~2 month break before Season 2.
Do you know someone who should be featured on the podcast? Reach out via social media or email to let us know. Thank you for listening to Season 1! Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3am1bFb
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction01:29 Season 1 Highlights
02:51 Reflections on Podcasting
15:20 What's Next
16:05 Getting Involved
21:47 Season 2
22:27 Wrapping Up
23:16 Podcast/Documentary Recommendations
Get Involved:
Mentorship/Research 1:1s: bit.ly/3twYCaCSocial Media Manager Application (due May 3): bit.ly/3srvL6h
Volunteer Interest Form: bit.ly/3mX2Aad
Podcast & Documentary Recommendations:
Women in Tech Podcast: spoti.fi/3egY8PoLadybug Podcast: spoti.fi/3anxiEd
Passages Podcast: spoti.fi/3eaJYQ1
Make Peas Not Beef Podcast: spoti.fi/3suZ4VI
AppThink Podcast: apple.co/3gsRwQG
Connecting with Careers Podcast: spoti.fi/2Q5ffvR
"The Social Dilemma": bit.ly/3glWpeo
"Coded Bias": bit.ly/2OYd50e
About Marisa:
Marisa Hoenig is the host of Blossoming Technologist and a software developer at ThoughtWorks. She graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelors in computer science in 2018. Marisa is passionate about helping others navigate the tech industry and understand different careers.Connect with Marisa:
LinkedIn: /marisahoenigTwitter: @marisahoenig
Instagram: @marisahoenig
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist
Contact: blossomingtechnologist@gmail.com

18. Demystifying Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies with Nicholas Prouten
How do cryptocurrencies and blockchain work? Why is the blockchain industry great for technologists to explore?
Meet Nicholas Prouten, the VP of Product Design and Head of Marketing at the LODE Project based out of British Columbia, Canada. LODE is a blockchain powered payment ecosystem and the first of its kind of cryptocurrency to be backed by gold and silver. In this episode, we discuss bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, as well as blockchain technology. Blockchain can be used in more than just the financial industry, and we delve into its use cases and how this booming industry can be a great path for any technologist.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Two Hat Security: twohat.comBitcoin Talk: bitcointalk.org
BlockFi: blockfi.com
Wealthsimple: wealthsimple.com
"Hooked" by Nir Eyal: bit.ly/3dwDJHI
Follow the LODE Project:
Website: lode.oneTwitter: @LODEpaymedia
Connect with Nicholas:
LinkedIn: /nick-proutenTwitter: @NicholasProuten
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

17. Landing a Top Tier Internship with Alexandra Foote
How do you get an internship at a top tech company? Once you secure the internship, how do you make the most of that experience?
Meet Alexandra Foote, a product manager at Microsoft and career coach helping students secure internships. During her time studying computer science at Georgia Tech, Alexandra interned at Google, Microsoft, and Bank of America. With her internship experience, she began coaching hundreds of students to land job offers at top tech companies. Now, she continues to coach students through her course "Tech Internship Toolkit" and free masterclass "How to Land an Internship at a Top Tech Company."
In this episode, we dive into how to get internships and why they're so important. We talk about common mistakes students make, how to make the most of your internship experience, and how to prepare for technical interviews.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Tech Internship Toolkit Course: techjobshop.comHow to Land an Internship at a Top Tech Company Masterclass: alexandrafoote.com/blossoming-technologist
LinkedIn Learning: linkedin.com/learning
Connect with Alexandra:
Website: alexandrafoote.comLinkedIn: /footealexandra
Instagram: @fancyfootework
Facebook: @fancyfootework
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

16. Software Soft Skills & Writing with Lokajit Tikayatray
What soft skills are necessary as a software developer? How can writing in your free time help you advance in your career? Meet Lokajit Tikayatray, an IT Architecture consultant at Dell Technologies from Bangalore, India. With 15 years of experience as a software developer, Lokajit is passionate about helping business users understand requirements, creating optimal solutions, and helping developers implement the best product. In his free time, he writes about software engineering on Medium, helping budding software engineers learn how to succeed in their careers. Several of his articles have gone viral and have been read by thousands of people around the world.
In this episode, we talk about soft skills necessary in software development and the power of having a good attitude. We also dive into the importance of a hobby like writing in helping your career as well as the specifics of what it's like to write on Medium, a platform with tons of technology content.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Medium: medium.comMedium Bad-Assery Course: medium-bad-assery.teachable.com/p/medium-bad-assery
Quora: quora.com
Medium Partner Program: bit.ly/3sxwi7G
Confessions of a Public Speaker by Scott Berkun: bit.ly/3m1b7IB
Lokajit's Medium Articles
This is Why Software Developers Fail to Succeed in Their Career: bit.ly/39qz6MaAre Senior Developers Worth Their Place in the Team: bit.ly/39qFCCS
Top 7 Signs of an Inexperienced Programmer: bit.ly/3ruHccX
5 Most Difficult Programming Languages in the World: bit.ly/3rxOxIT
How Reciprocity Helps Me Win in My Software Career: bit.ly/2QDK8XU
Connect with Lokajit:
LinkedIn: /lokajit-tikayatray-37a59abTwitter: @Lokajit
Medium: @lokajit-tikayatray
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

15. From the Recruiter's Perspective with Estefania Ortiz
What does recruitment look like from the recruiter's perspective? How do you best market yourself to a recruiter?
Meet Estefania Ortiz, a Chicago-based Diversity Recruiter on the Amazon Web Services Early Career Talent team. At AWS, Estefania finds top student talent for hiring teams and helps students through workshops and individual coaching sessions. She is passionate about empowering students to leverage their skills and experience to find the right career opportunity. She is also a strong advocate for improving diversity & inclusion in the industry by helping teams and business leaders prioritize this every day.
In today's episode, we dive into the recruitment process from a recruiter's perspective:
How recruiters help you find the right opportunity
Behind the scenes life of a recruiter
Key things to understand about the recruiter's perspective
How to send a message to a recruiter that stands out
Common candidate mistakes
Resume tips for students
What to expect out of the interview experience
Tips for negotiating salary
Connect with Estefania:
LinkedIn: /ortizestefaniaTwitter: @estef_oa
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

14. Shaping Your Software Engineering Career with Victoria Kirst
How do you shape a career you love? Why should you pursue software engineering especially if you don't want to sit behind a computer all day?
Meet Victoria Kirst, an incoming software engineer at The Browser Company, former software engineer at Google for 8 years, former lecturer at Stanford, and most recently the Director of Platform and then VP of Engineering at a startup, Glitch. Victoria is passionate about software engineering and education, and in our conversation, she shares insights about her career journey to help others succeed in software engineering.
In this episode, Victoria discusses what she loves about software engineering, what stops people from choosing software engineering, how to shape your career, choosing the right career, when to leave a job, how to define a startup, differences between working at a big company versus a startup, and the responsibilities of a VP of Engineering. We also talk about her new project that you can get involved in to stay on track with your learning goals: Everybody Study Club.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Code In Place Call for Teachers: codeinplace.stanford.edu/teachAshley C. Ford Quote (Twitter): bit.ly/2OnJeOM
"Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir" by Ashley C. Ford (preorder): amzn.to/2OmLaHg
"What the Hell is a Startup Anyway" Techcrunch Article: tcrn.ch/3tkHJ2j
"The Manager's Path" by Camille Fournier: bit.ly/2OxpRm9
Connect with Victoria:
Twitter: @heyvrkLinkedIn: /victoriakirst
Everybody Study Club: everybodystudy.club
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

13. Intro to Cloud Computing with Joshua "TechDev" Walker
What is cloud computing? How do you get started in tech with no past experience? Meet Joshua "TechDev" Walker, a senior cloud engineer, diversity advocate, and the author of “Venti Fried Chicken." He is also the co-founder of Black Orlando Tech and an Army veteran. Joshua is passionate about demystifying the tech industry and promoting diversity.
In this episode, we talk about cloud computing: what it is, how it works, and what resources you need to start learning. We discuss the similarities and differences between the various cloud computing services and which certification exams you should take. We also dig into do-it-yourself careers and how to start your journey in tech with no prior experience. Joshua shares what inspired him to get into tech and why you should get into the industry too.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Black Orlando Tech: blackorlandotech.orgfreeCodeCamp: freecodecamp.org
Pluralsight: Pluralsight
Datacamp: datacamp.com
A Cloud Guru (YouTube channel): bit.ly/3pZ1wlT
AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam
Pulp Fiction (Movie)
Google SRE Book: sre.google/sre-book/table-of-contents/
"The Phoenix Project" by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, George Spafford: bit.ly/2Pp15Fb
Connect with Joshua:
Buy Venti Fried Chicken on Amazon: amzn.to/3r2P99OWebsite: ventifriedchicken.com
TikTok: @ventifriedchicken
Instagram: @ventifriedchicken
LinkedIn: /jwtechdev
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

12. Product & Project Management with Trevor Newberry
What's the difference between product and project management? Where does Scrum fit into that? Learn from Trevor Newberry, the Owner of Newberry Consulting, Co-Founder of AppThink, and Director of Product Delivery at Harmony Venture Labs. Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, Trevor uses his experience as a consultant, product manager, and project manager to help non-technical and first-time founders build amazing software products.
In this episode, we dig into several roles in tech including (but not limited to) product manager, project manager, and scrum master. If you're looking to get into these roles, this is the perfect episode to find out what it's like from someone who does it everyday and who started with a not-so-typical background. We also discuss problems that first-time founders face that can be solved with product management, best ways to learn, the power of community, and the importance of hobbies.
Mentioned in This Episode:
The Product Book by Product School: bit.ly/3k4MPMMINSPIRED by Marty Cagan: bit.ly/3bq937Z
Measure What Matters by John Doerr: bit.ly/3azIcqU
Seth Godin: seths.blog
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller: bit.ly/3pzIpyF
The Snowball System by Mo Bunnell: bit.ly/3qD8XjL
Hooked by Nir Eyal: bit.ly/3dwDJHI
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries: bit.ly/3k3IrxP
Connect with Trevor:
LinkedIn: /trevor-newberryFollow AppThink
Website: appthink.ioInstagram: @appthink
Facebook: /appthink
LinkedIn: /appthink
Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/appthink/id1552894462
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

11. Freelancing for Small Businesses with Arjun Chopra
What is it like to be a freelancer? How can you help small businesses as a technologist? Learn from Arjun Chopra, a freelance software developer and web designer as the founder of 5848 Studios, a Toronto-based business that provides small and medium-sized businesses with the technology they need. Arjun started freelancing at the age of 17 and is on a mission to solve big problems with technology, building websites and apps and designing graphics for businesses.
In today's episode, we talk pros and cons of freelancing, how to find businesses without spending too much on marketing, how to have confidence in starting your business, advice for anyone interested in freelancing, and more!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Stack Overflow: stackoverflow.comAtom: atom.io
Android Studio: developer.android.com/studio
Flutter: flutter.dev
Connect with Arjun:
5848 Studios Website: 5848studios.comLinkedIn: /arjunchops
Instagram: @arjunchopra__
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

10. Technology's Environmental Impact with Lilly Tong
How does your everyday use of technology impact the environment? What can you do as a technologist to fight climate change? Lilly Tong is a Toronto-based iOS Engineer at VICE Media and the host of Make Peas Not Beef, a podcast about climate change, sustainability, technology, and more. It's all about deepening our relationship with ourselves. In this episode, we dive into mobile development: why it's the future and its unique challenges for developers. We discuss the double-edged sword of technology—how it helps us but also impacts our environment. We also cover what clean tech means, why climate change is the biggest problem in the world right now, what tech companies are doing to fight climate change, and how you can get involved.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Episode 10, Make Peas Not Beef, "Side Hustles, Building Your Dream Career, Leading with Compassion with Marisa Hoenig": spoti.fi/3jzIukzEpisode 4, Make Peas Not Beef, "How Can Technology Help Solve Climate Change?": spoti.fi/2MKCdq7
"Inconspicuous Consumption" by Tatiana Schlossberg: bit.ly/36UhPtL
On Fire -Naomi Klein - "This Changes Everything" by Naomi Klein: bit.ly/3aDH0li
Work On Climate, nonprofit: workonclimate.org/
Follow Make Peas Not Beef:
Make Peas Not Beef Podcast, Spotify: spoti.fi/3rxM7dGInstagram: @MakePeasNotBeef
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

9. Designing Products People Love with Chelsi Alise Cocking
What does a career in design look like? How do you build products that people love? Meet Chelsi Alise Cocking, a product designer at Dropbox in New York City. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Chelsi moved to the U.S. to study computational media, an interdisciplinary degree focused on computer science, digital media, and design, at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia. Through internships at Goldman Sachs and Apple and her classes on human-computer interaction (HCI), Chelsi learned about careers in design and how to build products for the people who use them.
In this episode, we dive into what UI/UX (User Interface/User Experience) is, what a product designer does, career paths, skills for UX, resources for aspiring designers, and more!
Mentioned in This Episode:
"The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman: bit.ly/3itIpOPFigma: figma.com
Sketch: sketch.com
Dropbox Design Community: dropbox.design
Meetup: Meetup.com
Ladies That UX NYC: aiga.org
Processing: processing.org
openFrameworks: openframeworks.cc
Connect with Chelsi:
LinkedIn: @chelsialiseTwitter: @chelsi_alise
Instagram: @chelsialise
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

8. Security Doesn’t Need To Be Complicated with Sara Diaz
What does a career in security look like? Why is security crucial for everyone to understand? Meet Sara Diaz, the Information Security Lead for ThoughtWorks North America. After starting her career as a quality analyst, she moved into information security and has been at ThoughtWorks for 5 years. Sara is passionate about making security accessible and easy-to-understand; you shouldn't need to be an expert to protect your digital life.
In our conversation, we talk all things security: what it means, different career paths, what a day-to-day looks like, resources, skills, and more.
Mentioned in This Episode:
CIA Security Triad: bit.ly/3c5zF0i (f5.com)GDPR: bit.ly/3qKwgIh (wiki)
SANS: www.sans.org
Axios: www.axios.com
Password Managers: 1Password, DashLane, KeePass, LastPass
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

7. Finding the Perfect Mentor with Alex Berry, PMP
How do you find a mentor to help with specific skills? How do you make the most of that relationship?
Learn from Alex Berry, a Portland-based Technical Program Manager within Intel’s Global Supply Chain and the Founder of Chocolate Milk Diplomacy, a social business that empowers underserved and marginalized communities with career development support. Alex's story is built from the many mentors and mentees he's had since studying industrial engineering at Georgia Tech to his job today. We talk about how he makes the most of these relationships and continues to value the stories of the people around him. We also discuss what technical program management is and how his company, CMD, helps people figure out their paths.
Connect with Alex:
LinkedIn: /alexberrycmd
Follow Chocolate Milk Diplomacy:
Instagram: @chocolatemilkdiplomacyTwitter: @CMDiplomacy
LinkedIn: /chocolate-milk-diplomacy
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

6. Prioritizing Mental Health with Mahmoud Khedr
How can your job impact your mental health? What can you do to make your mental health a priority? Today's episode features Mahmoud Khedr, the Co-Founder and CEO of FloraMind, an organization that develops tools to guide young people toward positive mental health.
Mahmoud is a proud Egyptian immigrant passionate about empowering underserved communities through mental health education. His career began in tech, with companies like Facebook and Google, which led to his focus on entrepreneurship and mental health. We discuss his experience working in tech and starting companies, with lessons on entrepreneurship and how to prioritize your well-being. We also dive into the inspiration behind FloraMind, stories from teaching mental health workshops to kids, and why toxic positivity is a problem. Get ready to be inspired!
Mentioned in This Episode:
FloraMind: https://www.floramind.comMahmoud’s Toxic Positivity TED Talk: https://bit.ly/2LaYw7v
Virtual Enterprises International: https://veinternational.org
Crisis Text Line: https://www.crisistextline.org or Text HOME to 741741
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
NYC Well: 1-888-NYC-WELL or text WELL to 65173
Connect with Mahmoud:
Instagram: @mahmoudkhedrnycLinkedIn: /mahmkhedr
Twitter: @MoodyKhedr
Website: http://mahmoudkhedr.com
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

5. Electrical Engineering & Solar Energy with Mason Mahaffey
What is electrical engineering? What does fabricating solar cells involve? Meet Mason Mahaffey, an enthusiastic PhD student in electrical engineering at Arizona State University and a graduate from Georgia Tech. While he always knew he wanted to work with solar panels, the path to that goal was something he had to figure out along the way through classes, meeting people, and discovering a way forward. We talk about the fields within electrical engineering, what solar energy is, and how solar cells work. We also discuss how important it is to continue pursuing your passion, even when people doubt you.
Mentioned in This Episode:
GT Solar RacingNational Science Foundation Fellowship
Sunrise Movement
Let It Shine by John Perlin
Pveducation.org
Freeing Energy Podcast
Reach Out by Molly Beck
Connect with Mason:
LinkedIn: /mason-mahaffey-044741137
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

4. Building a Viral Side Project with Benji Bear
How do you start a side project? Learn from Benji Bear—the creator of Covidopoly, an online, multiplayer Monopoly-deal inspired game with over 600,000 plays worldwide. In our interview, we discuss how he started Covidopoly and balances it with his full-time job as a software engineer at YouTube. Benji’s start into computer science was anything but traditional; we talk about his journey from pre-med to computer science, getting into front-end development, his tips for learning new skills, and advice for starting your own side project. Oh, and you won’t want to miss Benji’s "secret to doing well in college."
Mentioned in This Episode:
Leetcode
Connect with Benji on Instagram:
Photography: @benji_bear_photography
Covidopoly: @thecovidopoly Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_tech
Twitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

3. Imposter Syndrome, Microaggressions, and Inclusivity with Katie Ho
How do you deal with imposter syndrome? How can you help others recognize their own microaggressions? Why is diversity crucial when building products? Katie Ho is a senior consultant software developer at ThoughtWorks and a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, where she founded HackHolyoke, the first 1:1 gender ratio hackathon, in 2014. Passionate about diversity and inclusivity, Katie describes how she's dealt with imposter syndrome and microaggressions from her time building robots in middle school to her job today.
Mentioned in This Episode:
FIRST Tech ChallengeHackHolyoke
Pearl Hacks
Algorithmic Justice League - Joy Buolamwini
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Away - Netflix
Connect with Katie:
LinkedIn: /katieho8Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

2. Mastering the Software Engineering Pipeline with Clayton Lawrence
Finding a job is like a pipeline; it's a series of steps to reach your dream job. How do you master the software engineering job process? How do you write a stellar resume and prepare for technical interviews? Today, Clayton Lawrence takes us through his journey becoming a software engineer, providing actionable advice for resumes, interviews, and landing internships.
Clayton Lawrence is a mobile developer at NCR and a Georgia Tech graduate. He recently started his own company, Pipeline Career Services, to help people find and land their dream jobs through storytelling, resume reviews, mock interviews, career office hours for software engineering, and his weekly podcast, Connecting with Careers.
Technical Interview Resources:
Cracking the Coding Interview by Gayle Laakmann McDowellLeetcode - Online practice problems
Hackerrank - Online practice problems
Additional Resources:
Codeacademy - Free online coursesSoftware Engineering Daily - Podcast
The Other F Word by John Danner and Mark Coopersmith
Connect with Clayton:
LinkedIn: /claytonlawrence3Instagram: @_claytonlawrence
Follow Pipeline Career Services:
Podcast: Connecting with CareersInstagram: @PipelineCareerServices
Facebook: @pipelinecareerservices
LinkedIn: /pipelinecareerservices
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

1. Mapping Your Skills Into Your Dream Job with Madeline Helmstadter
How do you map your skills and interests to a job you love? What careers exist with a computer science degree outside of software engineering? We tackle these questions and more in today’s interview with Madeline Helmstadter, an incoming product manager at Facebook and recent Georgia Tech graduate. After completing 4 software engineering internships, Madeline pursued a job that better fit her interests: product management. We discuss how she mapped her passions in theater and organization to product management and how she found a job during the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s jump in!
Resources:
INSPIRED by Marty Cagan How Women Rise by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith (quoted but not mentioned by name in episode) The Product Podcast by The Product School Associate Product Managers ClubConnect with Madeline:
LinkedIn: /mhelmstadter
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_tech
Twitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist

0. Hello World: Introduction
Blossoming Technologist is a podcast for young professionals growing in the tech industry. How do you perfect your resume? What career paths exist in tech? How do you battle imposter syndrome? We'll answer these questions and more with episodes every Monday, interviewing young professionals in tech about college and their early career.
This episode is an introduction to the podcast and the host, Marisa, as well as her journey in the tech industry. Marisa Hoenig is a software developer consultant at ThoughtWorks and a recent Georgia Tech graduate. She is passionate about helping college students and fellow young professionals navigate their first careers in tech. This podcast is a resource that she wished she had in college—a place to hear stories of everyday young professionals figuring out their paths in the tech industry. And with that, let's get started blossoming together!
Connect with Marisa:
Instagram: @marisahoenig
Twitter: @marisahoenig
Follow Blossoming Technologist:
Instagram: @blossoming_techTwitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist
Cover Art by Kendal Goodell @goodelldesigns

Blossoming Technologist (Trailer)
Instagram: @blossoming_tech
Twitter: @blossoming_tech
LinkedIn: /blossoming-technologist
Inquiries/Suggestions: blossomingtechnologist@gmail.com
Cover Art by Kendal Goodell, @goodelldesigns