Career

I had the privilege of speaking at the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Engineering on March 3rd, presenting “Cracking the Cloud: How AWS Certifications Can Launch Your Career” to a group of engaged Computer Science seniors. The Presentation My talk focused on how early-career technologists can differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive field. Three themes anchored the session: strategic certifications — particularly AWS certifications as a way to validate cloud skills before you have the job title to back them up — self-directed projects that demonstrate practical problem-solving, and building genuine relationships in the industry. That last one always gets a laugh because I tell students it sometimes means getting away from the keyboard entirely and, as I like to say, “doing a little grass touching.” ...

What does your online presence say about you? For many students, searching their name online brings up little more than a LinkedIn profile and perhaps some social media accounts. This limited visibility can make it challenging to stand out professionally or showcase your actual skills and projects. A personal website offers a solution - providing a dedicated space where you can control your professional narrative and present your work on your own terms. ...

For this episode of Data Pour, I sat down with Lucas Ward—one of my SWE managers and a senior technical manager at Ippon—to talk about what it actually looks like to lead people in a consulting practice while the industry is shifting under our feet. We filmed at the Charlotte Beer Garden, which feels like the most Charlotte setting possible: more taps than you can count, plus the steady soundtrack of loud cars and motorcycles rolling by. We both went with an OMB beer (Mecktoberfest) because… you kind of have to. ...

I was invited to speak at UNC Charlotte recently to the computer science programs, and I approached the session, Cracking the Cloud, with a very specific goal: to give students a realistic, actionable way to stand out in a job market that’s becoming more competitive every year. Companies are slowing early-career hiring. AI is reshaping workflows. Expectations for junior talent are rising, not shrinking. Students can sense this shift, but many don’t know what to do with that reality. That’s where the conversation begins. ...

I recently stepped into the role of host for Ippon’s Data Pour series, but before I officially took over, our CTO, Andy Lamora, sat me down at Wooden Robot Brewery in Charlotte and interviewed me on camera. It was a great atmosphere — good beer, good weather — and then a handful of cameras appeared, all pointed directly at me. I’m still getting used to public speaking, so the entire setup felt a little awkward. Beer helps, but only so much. ...