Data Center and Tech Careers for Trades, Women, Vets

Jessa Brixius, Emily Seward, and Anita Johnson discuss joining the tech/data center industry from outside and how anyone can start learning tech and contribute.  Brogav Solutions is a data center and telecommunications equipment supplier and a women owned enterprise.  Brogav is leading the way with women in tech and helping more women join the fold supplying customer driven solutions.  The ladies discuss starting technical careers, how they learned and are continuing to learn, and the benefits they are seeing as members of the technology industry.  

Joseph Alvarez is a Navy Veteran, the director of mission critical for GBA Builders and an advocate for women and veterans in business. He serves on several boards, including a director role for the 7x24 Exchange Midwest Chapter and is the Greater Kansas City AFCOM treasurer. In this episode, Joseph and I discuss increasing the presence of veterans and women in the data center market, the significance of having a career in the trades, what's happening in Kansas City (home of the Super Bowl Champions!) and AI's impact on the industry.

My favorite question to ask to accomplish this task is "what will make you happy to go to work everyday?"  Casey is a VP with VIP consulting  and the author of "Awaken Your Potential."  Casey discusses how to find your "dream" job and steps people can take to unlock their employment potential.  We discuss trades, apprenticeships, and how the right way to learn is TO learn.  Casey discusses her journey to finding her dream career and how she mentors others to do the same.    

Welcome Sabine Gedeon with the SheLeads network, champion of the next generation and outside the box career development.  "It's time to reimagine how we train and educate our young women."  Sabine discusses tips for workforce develpment, mentorship, apprenticeships, and how education is changing with the growth of tech and competition for people.  

12.5.23 In this episode we welcome Sara Martin Associate Principal | Market Sector Leader at HED Design.  Sara discusses her journey and steps to success.  She discusses the learning curve realized when you jump into a new industry and how her architectural degree spurned her career in data center project management.  #womenintech #womenindatacenters #vetsintech #vetsindatacenters #tradesintech #tradesindatacenters 

10.19.23 Meet Molly Rose Speed, an advocate and champion helping #militaryspouses gain remote work with training.  Molly discusses her own journey and the programs she has created to help military spouses enter the workforce as virtual assistants creating employment opportunties regardless of location.  Her company offers a training academy fostering growth opportunties, business ownership blueprints, and others for spouses all while providing. businesses with fractional or full time virtual assistants.   We discuss #parallelskills and #skills they bring to their table with a vast variety of expertise amongst miltary spouses.  #veteranshelpingveterans #vetsintech #vetsindatacenters #womenintech #womenindatacenters #tradesintech #tradesindatacenters  #remotework

9.12.23 Celina Berglund, CEO (She-E-O) of Brogav Solutions, discusses starting her own tech business, challenges, finding her niche, and being graciously aggressive on your way to success. BROGAV provides new, surplus, and refurbished products for within the data center, along with installation and warehousing capabilities. They bring innovative and out-of-the-box solutions to their customers to improve lead times and options.   

8.8.23 Kayla Bix, OSP Engineer at Bluebird Network,  discusses fiber optic lines and how the engineering takes place along with her career so far.   She discusses routes and pathways and how that science works, as well as how she ended up in outside plant engineering at such a young age.  

6.27.23 Fabiola Bardino head of sustainability, marketing and communication with Start Campus in Sines, Portugal, talks about their sustainability efforts involving neighbors in a true outside of the box (data center) collaboration.  She discusses their community interactions and projects and the strategic position of Portugal as the gateway to Europe.  

6.8.23 Michael Morey, President and CEO of Bluebird Network discusses fiber, how they plan new fiber routes, jobs in the industry, data centers, and communications.  

5.2.23 Casey Mason - Energy and Sustainability Manager, Sabey Data Centers talks about greenhouse gas accounting and sustainability in the industry, and as a career.   She is candid about some of the hurdles we face as an industry and her career,  #womenintech #womenindatacenters #sustainability 

Co-opetition and problem-solving aficionado @Garry Connolly (A Stubborn Digital Optimist, Impatient Learner, Enthusiastic Beginner, Possibleist & Common Sense Practioner) with @Host in Ireland discusses the growth of the Irish data center industry, the exportation of talent as opposed to people, DC for Bees which brings great #biodiversity and awareness, ego-free, to our industry, and talent and learning for tomorrow.  We discuss sustainability, carbon, and environmental responsibility. 

3.22.23 Bill McNutt, veteran and Sr. VP of Operations for @ColoHouse discusses critical operations, transitioning from military service, lessons learned, and tips for success in the #datacenter industry.  #vetsintech #vetsindatacenters #tradesintech #tradesindatacenters #womenintech #womenindatacenters.  

2.28.23 Interview with  Constance Geoghan General Council and Chief Compliance Officer and Nicole Rossato, Vice President of Marketing ColoHouse discuss their careers and journey from a US company to a global role, cultural differences, OJT, and professional growth. "Eat the ugly frog first." Understanding how you land as a woman in a room full of men is important. Be authentic and modulate for maximum impact.   #womenintech #womenindatacenters #tradesintech #tradesindatacenters #vetsintech #vetsindatacenters #Give1Teach1Fund1 Nomad Futurist

2.8.23 Laura Freytag, Director of Operations, and Kara Anderson,  with Sabey Data Centers, discuss their careers and the differences between working at inception versus operations.  We discuss the value of mentors and close peers and how to overcome challenges through planning.  They cover tools they used to get where they are today.  Both have interesting career paths and amazing insight. 

1.10.23 Mara Fowler - has a great career in the data center industry.  We break down sales, skills, and what creates success in #datacenters.  Mara talks about what has worked for her and provides candid conversations about being a woman in tech and how to be heard as an expert voice in the room.  We discuss #networking and the value of creating and maintaining our connections.   #vetsintech #tradesintech #womenintech

In this episode, @Kirk Offel of @Overwatch Mission Critical outlines his work to bring more #veterans into the industry with a mission to stop suicides in the veteran community.  We discuss veteran employment in the industry, transition programs (TAP), and other ways to bridge the talent gaps in the #datacenter industry.  Kirk is candid about his own military transition from @Navy subs to civilian life and points the listener to available resources.   He discusses the anti-conference @DCAC , it's roots and mission.  

10.6 Episode featuring @Mercy Manning of @Aligned discussing sustainability, sales, and her journey into the data center industry.  In this candid episode, Mercy shares her passion for sustainability and how that works within her job in the data center industry.  #womenintech #womenindatacenters #sustainability #dataceenters #careersindatacenters

9.21 Episode featuring Jillian Bird @SaluteMissionCritical.  Jillian is a military spouse and recruiter in the mission-critical space.  Jillian discusses her role, juggling job, and kids, recruiting tips, and soft-skills to add to your resume.  If you are a military spouse or returning from service, this podcast will highlight some opportunities.  If you are a working military spouse, you will find some tips for successful remote work while juggling the duties with a spouse on TDY.

Ex Submarine Commander, Tony Grayson, in Part 2 of his candid conversation about transitioning into the #datacenter industry from the #military.  We discuss #veteran programs, #trades, #militaryspouses, and pointers for #HR and companies to help in the transition.  If you are transitioning or thinking of coming to this industry, this podcast is full of sound advice from someone that has been there, done that.  

Tony is a former nuclear submarine commander with 20 years in the @Navy and has transitioned into the mission critical space working for companies such as @Facebook, @AWS, @Oracle, and now is with @Compass Datacenters.  Tony shares his experiences converting military experiences into mission critical skills and conveys the lessons he learned along the way.  Tony gives sage advice to those looking to join this amazing industry.  Tony volunteers with @Imasons and @SaluteMissionCritical to help foster in #vetsintech.  Stay tuned for part 2.  

Originally published here https://www.powersys.com/resources/news/categories/psr-powertalk-podcast/ John and Carrie discuss edge and rural healthcare.  

Today we have a great conversation with Tami Goetz (no relation) with the STEM action center and State Science Advisor.  We discuss talent shortages in the industry and how to get more children involved at an earlier age.  Tami set up the program for Utah and in her words, "STEM is when the kids really get to play."  She shares what worked and challenges along the way.  

5.21.21 Delphine Carter is the president of Boulo Solutions, which is a firm that connects women to companies that value women's influence in the workplace, prioritize diversity, and promote a flexible work culture.  We talk about ways companies can get to gender equality and the importance of diversity in tech.  Boulo works to get women back into the workforce and further their careers.  

5.6.21 Today we interview Beth Snyder now with Cologix.  Beth discusses fiber, how the internet works, quite simply, and her journey into his industry.  We discuss the value of trades and how a multitude of jobs exist for people from all backgrounds.  With an extensive background in fiber, two cans and a string provide a great analogy as to simplicity gains for communications.  

4.12.21 Welcome Billie Haggard, Senior Vice President of Operations and Safety Officer at Aligned, who is speaking on the importance of hiring veterans in the data center sector.  Coming from the Navy, Billie recognizes the importance of the skillset members of the military bring to the private sector – especially data centers.  He will discuss why members of the armed forces are key candidates for data center operations, their unique transferable skills and aptitude, and where to find these key candidates for your data center. #vetsintech #vetsindatacenters #thankyouforyourservice

5.15.21 Welcome Ruthe Farmer, Founder of the Last Mile Education Fund. This fund is aimed at giving a hand up to those that need expenses for the final two years of college.  Funds start where scholarships leave off like rent, food, bus fare to interviews.  Named a finalist in the $40m Equality Can't Wait Challenge!  that enables women, particularly women of color, black and indigenous women to be impactful in the workplace.  #womenintech #diversityandinclusion #equity #equality

2.8.21 J GovQA is the leader in enterprise workflow automation for government requests, mainly focused on Public Records (FOIA). As Chief Evangelist, Jen is a first choice for thought-provoking discussions and best-practice working sessions with folks at all levels of state, city and county government across the U.S., especially around the topics of trends in public records workflows, legal affairs, and communications. The pandemic and protests have changed the way “Smart Government” agencies across the country communicate via public records – and caused many to see that the time to act and modernize with technology is now.  

1.12.21 Leticia Latino is the CEO of Neptuno is a champion in the telecommunications industry.  We discuss #SmartCities, telecom needs, scholarships and apprenticeship programs through NATE, TIRAP/WIA, and the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee.  Her insights are amazing!  Want to climb a tower?

Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Randy Niznick who is a new member of the @IMasons #Veterans committee and a mission critical professional.  Randy talks about the similarities between his career as a Chief in the Navy and the mission critical industry.  We discuss the #IMasons program for bringing vets into civilian life with career training.  #vetsintech #vetsindatacenters #thankyouforyourservice. 

Today I have a great conversation with  Sarah Lawler-Muzquiz with Alcatraz.  Their technology combines new edge-based touchless authentication security with AI for access.  We discuss the pros and cons of AI, the technology, tech for good, and a pathway to the industry for a young woman. 

10.8.20 We get to talk #cybersecurity with @David Maimon from GSU talking about their evidence-based cybersecurity program which provides students with #scholarships and matches them with #CISOs so they are well prepared to hit the ground running in a cyber career.  

9.3.20 We have the pleasure of speaking with Bill Thomson and Becky Cole with DC Blox which is a colo provider in the southeast.   They discuss building in nontraditional data center cities, marketing,  community outreach, and their career paths into the data center industry.  This is a bit different take as DC Blox operates outside of the traditional data center cities, which brings jobs to a city near you.  #vetsintech #tradesintech #womenintech #vetsindatacenters #tradesindatacenters #womenindatacenters #careersintech

8.14.20 in today's episode, we speak with Amy Al-Katib Editor in Chief at Mission Critical Magazine.  Amy came from outside the industry and grew her career into an Editor post.  Her journey from Blockbuster to Editor is inspiring.  #womenintech #womenindatacenters #tradesintech #tradesindatacenter #vetsintech #vetsindatacenters #careersindatacenters  

7.9.20 Today we speak with Nabeel Mahmood Futurist, and C-Suite consultant on buzzwords, cryptocurrency, AI, Smart Cities, Robots, Machine Learning, the path forward after covid, new ways of learning and the importance of triaging your technology.  He provides his insights into the quality of life-work balance, how to better treat employees, and how tech has changed over the years.

Natalie Sharma is the Founder & Creative Director of Pixetal Studio, a niche design studio that specializes in creating websites, brand identities, and user interfaces as scalable visual systems for industry innovators. She is a Jackson, Mississippi native and an honors graduate of Mississippi University for Women where she received her BFA in Graphic Design. She has more than 10 years of experience in design and design tech and has worn many hats such as a layout designer, computer lab assistant, one-woman art department, marketing coordinator, and in-house designer. Outside of her work, Natalie is passionate about tech community and diversity. She is a regular volunteer tech expert with The Bean Path and the founder of the local Meetup group—Women of Design & Tech. Most recently, Natalie was tapped as a finalist for the Ada Lovelace Awards for the Product Designer category and as a mentor for Innovate Mississippi’s Mentor Lounge.

6.5.20 Valerie Crafton with @Turner and Townsend discusses construction management, women in the industry, taking chances, and her role as dean at @AATCU.  Her career choice was made early on, and continues to enjoy her career in construction.  She discusses various jobs in the construction industry.  She shares her drive for outreach and giving back to the data center industry.  #womenintech #tradesintech #womenindatacenters #tradesindatacenters #mikeroweworks #vetsintech #vetsindatacenters

5.7.20 Episode features Kevin Kent with CFPUE and OSU Wexner Medical Center.  Kevin is a Climate Reality Leader and discusses energy efficiencies in data centers both as a necessity and as a career. He is an international speaker on data center energy efficiency creating awareness and providing education through his travels. His ultimate objective is to reduce the overall data center industry's carbon footprint. Kevin is a fellow member of the AFCOM Data Center Institute Board of Directors and serves as Vice President for the AFCOM Central Ohio chapter. #Climatematters #womenintech #vetsintech #tradesintech #womeindatacenters #vetsindatacenters #tradesindatacenters

4.23.20 We speak with Dr. Julie Albright Digital Sociologist and author of Left to Their Own Devices, How Digital Natives are Reshaping the American Dream.  She has a dual Doctorate in Sociology and Marriage and Family Therapy from USC where she teaches master’s level courses on the Psychology of Interactive Technologies and Sustainable Infrastructure.  She’s a sought after keynote speaker for her insights which she has been kind enough to share with us.  We discuss the “untethering” of this upcoming generation, work-related outcomes, and the different job expectations of the digital age workforce.  She discusses the impacts of being untethered and the need for jobs to fill in the skills they miss as they learn more digitally.  "Julie's next book - The Cloud Machine co-authored by @Dean Nelson will peel back the curtain of data centers and the people who run them.

4.17.2020 Episode we interview Cheryl O'Donoghue Author and Emotional Intelligence Leadership Champion and Founder & CEO, Emotional Intelligence Leadership Resources and founder of the outreach organization Mission Sisters who work which offers scholarships for training and school.  Cheryl is the author of How to Be a Woman in Technology, How to Be a Woman in Business and has a new book coming out in 2020 How to Be An Emotionally Intelligent Leader.  Cheryl talks about the scholarship program, why Mission Sisters was founded and provides tips on emotional Intelligence.   #womenintech #tradesintech #vetsintech #womenindatacenters #tradesindatacenters #vetsindatacenters

April 2, we interview Amanda Trumble with ABB who discusses her work at ABB in the power division, starting a WIMCO chapter for the great lakes region and the value of mentorship and women supporting women.  We discuss work-life balance and the need for personal health days, and some great new benefits at ABB.   Amanda has been in the industry for 13 years and knows the value of parallel skills as she, herself, brought someone into the industry from a non-adjacent role.  She discusses some upcoming work with WIMCO, the next generation, mock interviews, and their events in 2020.    #womenintech #tradesintech #vetsintech #womenindatacenters

Thank you for your service, first! For the kick-off of our veterans' talent initiative, we start with the great work being done by Salute Mission Critical.  In their words, "Clients worldwide turn to Salute Mission Critical they need precise execution in their data center environments.  Whether building new, deploying into a leased facility, managing an existing site or refreshing/moving sites, we provide highly trained, disciplined personnel and teams to fulfill your needs."   In this portion of our series on data center careers, we look at some of the options for vets returning from service and how their deployments can equate to civilian careers in data centers (and others).  We will discuss scholarships, apprenticeships, and the work Salute is doing with Infrastructure Masons and ways in which they are helping with homeless vets.

March 12 we talk to Juli Ierulli, Ecommerce Marketing Manager for @Caterpillar, Chair of the 7x24 Exchange International WiMCO and now VP of @7x24Exchange.org.  Juli discusses her journey, International Data Center Day and outreach in general.   Many of the jobs didn't exist when we began in this industry.  "It's important to have a sponsor." Juli chats about moving from insurance into power and critical power as a career and why parallel skills are so important filling the jobs in our industry.  #womenintech #womenindatacentersd #tradesintech #tradesindatacenters #vetsintech #vetsindatacenters #internationaldatacenterday #WIMCO #7x24exchange                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Taking a science spin, this week we interview Dr. Heloise Stevance @Sydonahi on her journey as an astrophysicist, the science, super and killer nova and other fun space topics.  She shares her tips for learning, not being afraid to fail, and how failure is learning!  Also discussed a strong female role model, the value of coding and knowing how to research. #womenintech #womeninscience #coolwomenofscience #ohyesshecan 

Kelly Flowers with Service Express and founder of the Women Leading Technology Sorority discusses aftermarket service as a career option, but most importantly why she founded the WLT sorority, the outreach programs there and her work with the Girl Scouts.  WLT is a sponsor for the STEM camps in Dallas and provides scholarships for girls to participate.  They have a masquerade ball coming up as a fundraiser also discussed.  We talk about the power of networking, the right ways to network, and the values women bring to the table when we work together.   #womenintech #womenindatacenters #girlscouts #tradesintech #payitforward

Carrie Goetz interviews Nancy Novak, SVP of Construction at Compass Data Centers that provides custom, move-in-ready data centers from edge deployments to core facilities serving hyperscale, cloud and enterprise customers. Nancy frequently speaks on diversity and inclusion in construction and tech.  She discusses construction, the importance of creating an inclusionary environment for all trades, and the benefits of "outside of the box" thinking.  She sheds some highlights on how she, Chris Crosby, and Compass are changing the data center construction industry, in particular the actual build process.   #womenindatacenter #womeninintrades #womeininconstruction #womenintech #tradesintech #tradesindatacenters #mikeroweworks #datacenters

Today we interview Dameion Brown.  He is a security professional and the chapter president of ASIS in Jackson, MS. and a member of Infragard. He works for a multinational oil and gas company, champions veterans in the industry and is working with me to bring the message of job possibilities to colleges throughout Mississippi and Louisiana. We discuss some of the security challenges of a multinational with shipping and homeland security concerns that change often.

In this episode, we interview Wendy Stewart, VP with Databank data centers on being a woman VP, the Dallas Data Center women's group she started, WIMCO and diversity.  She discusses managing diverse and remote employees and how she motivates her team to be 1% better every day.  As a distinguished woman of color, Wendy discusses her pathway into the industry and unique challenges and words of wisdom to pay it forward.  

Today's interview with Jeff Clark, a Principal at Michaud, Cooley, Erickson Engineers.  Jeff talks about his path starting as a draftsman, to becoming a Principal at the firm.   We discuss the importance of CAD and how 3D is changing the industry. Trades and 2 year degrees are a valuable part of this industry. Jeff started via a two-year degree and through diligence earned his degree and a spot as a company owner.   We discuss his projects, passion, and journey.

Trades are needed!  In this informative episode with industry veteran Greg Crumpton of Service Logic, he discusses his career and work as a tradesman in the data center, HVAC, Electrical, mechanical realms and creating apprenticeships to reach the younger generations.  Greg also discusses the human and family impact of reaching out and embracing the talent that trades bring to the industry. From the massive data center to the Edge and the challenges that they bring, Greg offers great insight through his experiences.  

Today's episode includes a frank discussion with former Marine, Michael Evans, VP at Salute Mission Critical discussing sales, customer relationship management and why he loves the industry.  Michael didn't start in the industry, but once he got here, he found a home. He has had various positions in sales and discusses the different roles, working with global customers, and putting the customer first.