Technologist Tales

What does the championship journey of the U.S. women’s national soccer team teach us about the challenges facing today’s female technologists? How to see beyond the “unnecessary” divides they inevitably will confront on the road to successful tech careers, says Tracey Welson-Rossman, Chief Marketing Officer at Chariot Solutions and founder of the Women In Tech Summit (WITS) and Creating IT Futures’ TechGirlz program. Original Technologist Talk Radio theme music by C. Ezra Lange

All successful technologists begin their careers as technicians, right? Well, some do. But many do not. Our in-the-field correspondent Michelle Lange heads to Denver for a conference benefitting TechGirlz organized by the Women In Tech Summit (WITS), where she meets two technologists who forged their own paths to business success working in cybersecurity. Original Technologist Talk Radio theme music by C. Ezra Lange

Our correspondent Michelle Lange goes into the field at the Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) El Centro Campus to talk with graduates of Chicago’s inaugural IT-Ready Technical Support class – where IT workforce demand meets a new pipeline of technologist talent. Original Technologist Talk Radio theme music by C. Ezra Lange

How early should we teach kids about cybersafe practices? High school? Middle school? Kindergarten? How about three years old? Randi Parker, senior director at Creating IT Futures explains why kids should pick up cybersafe habits as soon as they pick up gadgets – and how partners and programs such as the Technology Student Association (TSA) and TechGirlz pick up this cause as young people progress through schooling. Original Technologist Talk Radio theme music by C. Ezra Lange

How do you rise from tinkering in a wood shop to leading the Board of Directors for the world’s most influential IT association? Amy Kardel, CompTIA’s new Vice President, Strategic Workforce Relationships, walks us through her technologist’s journey – from playing with gadgets beside her dad to side hustles in college to bootstrapping an IT services firm. Original Technologist Talk Radio theme music by C. Ezra Lange

Many technologists are tinkerers, working hands-on with technology to solve problems for individuals and businesses. Sarah Johnson, first-ever winner of the CompTIA / ChannelPro Cecelia Galvin Scholarship Award, tinkers with digital marketing, teaching STEM classes and developing autonomous drones. Plus, she runs TechGirlz workshops. In this episode, hear what motivates this fanatical learner. Original Technologist Talk Radio theme music by C. Ezra Lange

To lay the best foundation for a career working with technology, should your teen enter a technical training program after high school? Or go straight to 4 years of college? Shouldn’t be an either/or proposition, says Eric Larson of Creating IT Futures, who works with NextUp partners such as TechGirlz and the Technology Student Association (TSA). In this episode, he shares three more signs of a quality school tech program with host Bob Dirkes. Original Technologist Talk Radio theme music by C. Ezra Lange

Millions of teens head back to school this month. And if you’re the parent or mentor of an aspiring technologist, how can you tell whether your school has a good tech program? Eric Larson, who directs the NextUp program for Creating IT Futures, says there are “6 Signs.” In this episode, Eric shares the first three with host Bob Dirkes. Original Technologist Talk Radio theme music by C. Ezra Lange

Which industry provides the best model for filling our nation’s tech skills gap? In his recent talk at the U.S. News & World Report “Workforce of Tomorrow” event, award-winning author, social innovator and CEO Charles Eaton says look to pro basketball. Charles believes the NBA and WNBA have three lessons to teach other big businesses about defining, refining and inspiring talent in complex, competitive careers like IT. Original Technologist Talk Radio theme music by C. Ezra Lange

What’s the most important set of skills for a successful career working with technology? Cloud computing? Cybersecurity? Artificial Intelligence? None of the above. Teamwork skills top them all says Todd Thibodeaux, CEO of the world’s premier IT trade association, CompTIA. Original Technologist Talk Radio theme music by C. Ezra Lange

Launching a tech career means spending 4 years in college earning a computer science degree, right? Not so. There’s more than one pathway to landing a tech job, and Dr. Adrienne Holloway, Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Aurora, Illinois, is working with IT-Ready to build one for the local community. Original Technologist Talk Radio theme music by C. Ezra Lange

Thousands of digital natives from Gen Z will graduate from high schools, universities, trade schools and other programs this spring, eager to join Boomers, Gen X and Millennials in today’s tech workforce. How can they thrive in this competitive field? It’s never too late to learn to collaborate, says Tim Herbert, CompTIA’s head of research, and co-author of his team’s report on managing a multigenerational workforce. Original Technologist Talk Radio theme music by C. Ezra Lange

Our correspondent Michelle Lange goes into the field with TechGirlz for a TechSavvy event, where middle school students and their parents learn that solving problems with technology is not only a viable career path for girls, but lots of fun, too.   Original Technologist Talk Radio theme music by C. Ezra Lange

Does being raised a Digital Native -- immersed in an atmosphere of tech gadgetry -- give today’s teens advantages over other aspiring technologists in our multigenerational workforce? Tim Herbert, CompTIA’s head of research, shares insights from his team’s report on managing a multigenerational workforce. Original Technologist Talk Radio theme music by C. Ezra Lange

Should STEM education formally incorporate the Arts, transforming STEM curriculum into STEAM programs for today’s teens? Explore the debate with technologist Jonathan Fuller, contributing editor to IEEE GlobalSpec’s Engineering360 blog and a professional musician. Original Technologist Talk Radio theme music by C. Ezra Lange (a technologist & professional musician, too)