Tech Jobber Podcast

Chris Schwenk

🚀 Tech Career Insights | Startup Stories | Miami Tech Scene 🚀 Discover the hottest tech careers and digital innovation trends on our cutting-edge podcast! We dive deep into the world of technology, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and entrepreneurship. 🎙️ Weekly interviews with: - Fortune 500 Tech Executives - Successful Startup Founders - Miami's Tech Leaders - Software Engineers & Developers - Data Scientists & AI Experts - Cybersecurity Specialists - Product Managers & UX Designers - Tech Recruiting Insights 📈 Learn about: - Career growth in tech - Emerging technologies (AI, ML, IoT, VR/AR) - Startup funding & venture capital - Personal branding for tech professionals - Work-life balance in high-tech jobs - Remote work opportunities - Tech industry networking 🎬 High-quality video content filmed at Content HQ Studios, Miami, FL 📱 Shareable clips for LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter

  1. 2D AGO

    The Real Cloud Roadmap in 2026 (Linux → AWS → Terraform → DevOps)

    WORK WITH US / JOIN THE COMMUNITY  Broadus runs Level Up In Tech, and I’m also part of the community helping with career coaching. If you’re serious about breaking into cloud and want structured guidance, check out Level Up In Tech.   https://www.skool.com/luit-academy/about?ref=674cbede79de482fa76b88623c0cf89e   Cloud careers are still some of the highest-paying and most flexible paths in tech — but most people don’t actually understand what a cloud engineer does day-to-day, what to learn first, or how to stand out in the 2026 job market.   In this episode of the Tech Jobber Podcast, I’m joined by Broadus Palmer, founder of Level Up In Tech, who has helped thousands of people break into cloud and level up their careers. We break down cloud roles in plain English, share a real beginner roadmap, and talk about what matters most now: projects, business impact, and the ability to explain what you built — not just collecting certifications.    IN THIS INTERVIEW, WE COVER: ✅ What a cloud engineer actually does (build, deploy, monitor, secure) ✅ The best cloud learning path for beginners (step-by-step progression) ✅ Linux fundamentals: why Linux is still the core skill for cloud careers ✅ AWS vs Azure vs GCP: which cloud provider should you learn first? ✅ Why big companies use multi-cloud (AWS + Azure + GCP) ✅ Cloud Engineer vs Cloud Solutions Architect (key differences) ✅ Cloud Data Engineer vs Data Engineer (what changes, what doesn’t) ✅ Entry-level cloud jobs in 2026: what hiring managers want now ✅ How to talk about projects using the SORT framework ✅ The truth about cloud certifications (what’s worth it and what’s not) ✅ Where cloud careers can lead: DevOps, SRE, Platform, Security, FinOps, Data   If you’re trying to land your first cloud job (or you’re already in IT and want to move into cloud), this episode will help you stop guessing and start following a real roadmap.        Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    42 min
  2. 6D AGO

    What’s Hot in FinTech Right Now (AI, Data, Security)

    What does it actually take to get hired in FinTech in 2026?   In this episode of the Tech Jobber Podcast, I sit down with Chris Neudecker, Senior Director of AI Engineering at BHG Financial, to break down what’s really happening inside fintech hiring. We cover the hottest skills in fintech right now — including AI engineering, data analytics, data engineering, cybersecurity, and the growing overlap between data and security.   If you’re trying to break into fintech, Chris explains why AI and data skills are becoming non-negotiable. Without clean, structured data, AI can’t function — and companies are aggressively hiring talent who understand both. We also talk about how developers and architects don’t need to be “AI experts,” but must know how to leverage AI tools to improve coding, workflows, and security practices.   We dive deep into Salesforce careers as well — one of the most underrated and high-paying career paths in tech. Chris shares insight into: • Salesforce admin vs developer vs architect career paths  • Why QA and data-focused Salesforce roles are growing  • How to stand out when 2,000+ applicants apply for one role  • Why culture fit and curiosity matter more than perfect resumes  • How managers can help you grow from developer to architect    We also discuss FinTech vs FAANG careers — including compensation, RSUs, stress levels, work-life balance, and which path might be better depending on your goals. If you’re deciding between big tech and fintech, this segment is especially important.   Whether you’re interested in AI careers, data security jobs, Salesforce roles, fintech engineering, product management in fintech, or understanding what hiring managers are really looking for in 2026, this episode gives you practical insight from someone actively leading teams in the space.   If you’re serious about building a high-paying tech career, this conversation will give you clarity on where to focus next.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    24 min
  3. FEB 10

    Stop Guessing: Pick the Right Tech Career Path in 2026

    Breaking into tech in 2026 isn’t about guessing the right certification — it’s about building the right career roadmap.   In this episode of the Tech Jobber Podcast, I sit down with Vinod Akunuri, founder of Jumpstart to Tech, to break down how people are actually transitioning into high-paying tech careers. We cover the most in-demand tech career paths in 2026, why career switchers often outperform entry-level grads, and how leveraging transferable skills can fast-track your career by years.   We dive into the major tech pathways — including cybersecurity (GRC, SOC), cloud, data, technical sales, and project management — and explain how AI is reshaping these roles. Contrary to the fear headlines, AI isn’t replacing tech jobs; it’s amplifying them, creating new opportunities in areas like prompt engineering, AI-augmented cybersecurity, and technical project management.   Vinod also shares real success stories of professionals transitioning from healthcare, sales, customer service, and other non-technical backgrounds into tech roles by building proof through labs, projects, and public documentation. We explore why technical project management offers some of the highest upside in tech, how the PMP certification can accelerate earnings, and why GovTech and security clearances can act as a “golden ticket” for certain careers.   If you’re trying to break into tech, pivot careers, understand how AI impacts tech jobs, or figure out the smartest tech career path in 2026, this episode gives you a clear framework to stop guessing and start executing.   To connect with Vinod or more information on Jumpstart to Tech:  http://www.jumpstart2tech.com  https://www.instagram.com/jumpstart2t... Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    32 min
  4. FEB 4

    Platform Engineering Roadmap 2026: How to Get Hired

    DevOps is evolving fast. In this episode, we reveal the Platform Engineering Roadmap for 2026 with industry leader Clint Hill. Discover exactly what is a platform engineer, how this role differs from traditional DevOps, and why it's becoming one of the most critical careers in tech.   We break down the essential skills you need—from software architecture to building internal developer platforms (IDPs)—and discuss the controversial impact of AI in software development on your job security. If you want to know how to future-proof your engineering career, this conversation is mandatory listening.   In this episode, we cover:  🚀 DevOps vs Platform Engineering: The key differences and career trajectory.  🗺️ Platform Engineering Roadmap: Step-by-step guide to the skills that matter in 2026.  🤖 AI & The Future: Will AI replace programmers or make them faster?  💼 Hiring Insights: Specific advice for landing platform roles at top tech companies. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Why Platform Engineering is Booming 00:34 - What is a Platform Engineer? (vs Product & DevOps) 02:24 - Will AI Replace Programmers? The Honest Truth 04:33 - Why Human Judgment Still Matters in AI Workflows 07:56 - Software Architecture & System Design Skills 10:20 - The Dangers of AI in Platform Systems 16:49 - DevOps vs Platform Engineering: API Layers Explained 18:19 - Metrics & KPIs: Justifying the Platform Team 24:18 - Who Should Switch to Platform Engineering? 31:16 - JUNIOR ENGINEERS: Focus on These Non-Functional Requirements   Resources & Links: 90.io Kubernetes Building AI Agents: YouTube Playlist CI/CD Best Practices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    32 min
  5. FEB 2

    AI Boom Reshaping Silicon Valley — What You're Missing

    Is Silicon Valley really back? In this episode of Tech Jobber Podcast, we sit down with Eric Jones, founder of Memberly, to break down what’s actually happening in tech right now — from the AI funding gold rush to the post-pandemic revival of San Francisco.   Eric shares his unconventional journey from fashion into tech entrepreneurship, how identifying a real-world pain point led to building a community-driven events startup, and why bootstrapping is becoming the default path for founders without access to venture capital. We also dive deep into why human connection and live events are becoming more valuable — not less — in an AI-dominated world.   This conversation is packed with real founder insights, including: - Why today’s tech cycle feels eerily similar to the dot-com era - What investors are actually funding in 2026 (hint: it’s AI) - Why only ~2% of startups succeed — and how founders can beat the odds - The resurgence of opportunity in Silicon Valley and San Francisco - How to bootstrap a startup without VC money - Free startup resources (including AWS for Startups) most founders overlook - Why community, IRL events, and subscriptions are the future of tech businesses   Whether you’re a founder, aspiring entrepreneur, tech professional, or career switcher, this episode delivers an unfiltered look at the real startup landscape — beyond the hype.   👇 Watch now and learn how founders are building resilient businesses in the AI era.   Silicon Valley comeback, tech startups 2026, AI startup funding, bootstrapping a startup, founder advice, San Francisco tech scene, live events startup, community-driven business, AWS for startups, tech entrepreneurship, startup failure rates, AI and human connection    Subscribe for weekly tech career & startup insights Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    30 min
  6. FEB 2

    The Smartest Tech Workers Are Using This Free Big Tech Loophole to Increase Their Compensation

    Big Tech Is Quietly Giving Away Free Training (No Degree Required)   What if I told you Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Salesforce, Cisco, and IBM are giving away the exact training they use to build their own talent pipelines — for free?    This isn’t charity. It’s strategy.   In this video, I break down how Big Tech trains its future workforce, why they need you to learn their platforms, and how you can use these free programs to land a *high-paying tech job without spending thousands on bootcamps or degrees.   We cover: - Where to find legitimate, free training from Big Tech - What jobs each platform leads to - Realistic salary ranges for each career path - How to turn free courses into interviews and offers If you’re trying to break into tech — or pivot into a higher-paying role — this is one of the smartest moves you can make in 2025. 🔗 FREE TRAINING LINKS (START HERE)  🔹 Microsoft Learn (Azure, Security, Data, AI) [https://learn.microsoft.com/training/](https://learn.microsoft.com/training/)  Best for:  Cloud Administrator Security Engineer Data Analyst AI / Copilot roles --- 🔹 AWS Skill Builder (Cloud & Architecture) [https://skillbuilder.aws/](https://skillbuilder.aws/)  Best for:  Cloud Practitioner Solutions Architect Cloud Support / Engineering 👉 Start with: AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials ---  🔹 Google Career Certificates (via Grow with Google) [https://grow.google/certificates/](https://grow.google/certificates/)  Best for:  IT Support Data Analytics UX Design Cybersecurity Project Management ⚠️ Tip: Many libraries, nonprofits, and workforce programs offer these 100% free via scholarships. ---  🔹 Salesforce Trailhead (CRM & Business Tech) [https://trailhead.salesforce.com/](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/)  Best for:  Salesforce Administrator Salesforce Consultant Business Systems / RevOps One of the highest ROI, non-coding career paths in tech. ---  🔹 Cisco Skills for All (Networking & Cyber) [https://skillsforall.com/](https://skillsforall.com/)  Best for:  Network Administrator Cybersecurity Analyst CCNA prep Includes free labs with Cisco Packet Tracer. ---  🔹 IBM SkillsBuild (AI, Data, Cyber) [https://skillsbuild.org/](https://skillsbuild.org/)  Best for:  Data Analyst AI Fundamentals Cybersecurity Enterprise Cloud Includes *verifiable digital badges* you can add directly to LinkedIn. --- 🧠 How To Use This Strategically  ✅ Pick *ONE ecosystem*  ✅ Complete *ONE foundational learning path*  ✅ Post progress publicly on LinkedIn  ✅ Frame yourself as *already in the field*, not “trying to break in”    This is how recruiters actually notice you. --- 💬 COMMENT QUESTION    Which ecosystem are you starting with? *Microsoft, AWS, Google, Salesforce, Cisco, or IBM?*    I’ll use the comments to decide which platform I do a *full step-by-step deep dive* on next (courses, projects, resumes, interview talk tracks). -- 🔔 Subscribe for More    I break down *realistic tech careers**, **actual salary ranges**, and **what hiring managers care about* — no hype, no bootcamp fluff.     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    16 min

About

🚀 Tech Career Insights | Startup Stories | Miami Tech Scene 🚀 Discover the hottest tech careers and digital innovation trends on our cutting-edge podcast! We dive deep into the world of technology, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and entrepreneurship. 🎙️ Weekly interviews with: - Fortune 500 Tech Executives - Successful Startup Founders - Miami's Tech Leaders - Software Engineers & Developers - Data Scientists & AI Experts - Cybersecurity Specialists - Product Managers & UX Designers - Tech Recruiting Insights 📈 Learn about: - Career growth in tech - Emerging technologies (AI, ML, IoT, VR/AR) - Startup funding & venture capital - Personal branding for tech professionals - Work-life balance in high-tech jobs - Remote work opportunities - Tech industry networking 🎬 High-quality video content filmed at Content HQ Studios, Miami, FL 📱 Shareable clips for LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter