Changing careers is tough and you’re always faced with difficult decisions! In this episode, we delve into a comprehensive framework that will help you tackle difficult decisions with confidence and clarity. Making tough choices is overwhelming, but armed with our practical step-by-step approach, you'll be equipped to make the right decision when the time comes. We also explore the personal journey of our host, Ryan, who made a bold decision to leave behind a career as a firefighter to pursue th...
Jun 21, 2023•58 min•Ep. 104
In this episode, we're diving deep into thought-provoking topics that challenge conventional wisdom when it comes to education and job prospects. First, we delve into the fascinating evolution of job requirements and how college degrees transformed from a luxury to a near-necessity in the professional world. Then, we discuss why a college degree shouldn't be necessary for every job, especially at the entry-level. We'll delve into the benefits of skills-based hiring, the changing landscape of wor...
Jun 14, 2023•23 min•Ep. 103
Welcome to Degree Free! We're excited to have you join us on your journey toward career success. In the degree free network, we support and encourage those who have taken a different path, one that doesn't rely on traditional education. The Degree Free Podcast is designed specifically for individuals like you who have chosen alternative paths to success. By listening to this podcast, you'll gain valuable insights, inspiration, and practical advice from experts and professionals who have excelled...
Jun 07, 2023•33 min•Ep. 102
Looking for a job can feel lonely and isolating. When we're trying to find a job, we often send out many applications, face rejections, and get no response to our emails. The whole process of creating resumes, going to interviews, and waiting for a reply can be really tough on our morale. It can be lonely and demotivating. That's why we made the Degree Free Network! In this episode, we talk about how important it is to have a community when you're looking for a job without a degree. When you joi...
May 31, 2023•24 min•Ep. 101
ChatGPT is taking the world by storm! In this episode, we dive into the world of artificial intelligence and explore how you can use ChatGPT as your secret weapon in the job search. Join us as we break down the ways you can leverage ChatGPT to supercharge your job search. We'll share tips on crafting compelling resumes and cover letters, acing interviews, and standing out in a competitive job market. We’ll teach you how to use ChatGPT to tailor your job search materials to specific job requireme...
May 24, 2023•49 min•Ep. 100
Welcome to today's episode where we'll be discussing some interesting and surprising news stories from the degree free world! First up, we'll be taking a look at a recent survey that found nearly half of undergrad students are considering dropping out of their programs. Next, we'll delve into the controversial topic of MBA graduates getting paid not to work. Yes, you heard that right! More companies are offering MBA graduates to simply not work for a set period of time. Lastly, we'll turn our at...
May 17, 2023•46 min•Ep. 99
In today's episode, we're going to talk about the million-dollar question: What can you do instead of going to college? We'll be exploring the 5 pathways that you can take instead of going to college. We'll discuss different paths such as earning a license/certification, apprenticeships, building a business, and more! By the end of the episode, you'll have a deep understanding of different alternatives to college so that you can reach your career goals without taking student debt and studying fo...
May 10, 2023•48 min•Ep. 98
In this episode, we meet Matt Scicchitano, manager at SAS Global Certification Program. We're going to explore how certifications can help you advance in your career and catch the attention of potential employers. We'll discuss why certifications are valuable in today's job market. With so many candidates vying for the same positions, having a certification can demonstrate to employers that you possess the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your field. This is extremely relevant especi...
May 03, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 97
Today, we'll be exploring three fascinating topics that are shaping the future of work and education. First, we'll be discussing the rise of contract work. In recent years, there has been a significant shift away from traditional full-time employment towards contract work. We'll examine why this trend is happening and what it means for workers and companies. We'll also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of contract work, including flexibility and job security. Next, we'll dive into why col...
Apr 26, 2023•32 min•Ep. 96
Welcome to this week's episode of the Degree Free Podcast! In today's episode, we're going to talk about a topic that is often considered taboo in the job search process: lying on your resume. We'll explore the reasons why people might be tempted to exaggerate their skills, education, or experience. We'll also touch on the potential consequences of lying on your resume, including the statistics behind it. Next, we're going to explore a topic that has been on the minds of many in the education wo...
Apr 19, 2023•42 min•Ep. 95
Today, we're diving into two hot topics: college graduates' unrealistic salary expectations and which jobs are going to be replaced by AI. First, let's talk about salary expectations. It's no secret that many students enter their college journey with the expectation that they'll be earning six-figure salaries upon graduation. But the reality is often very different. In this episode, we're exploring why this is the case and what is the actual median salary for college graduates. But it's not just...
Apr 12, 2023•33 min•Ep. 94
Today, we're gonna be talking about a variety of topics. We'll also feature our very first degree free billionaire! First, we'll dive into the world of honorary degrees. Have you ever wondered what an honorary degree is? We'll talk about why Taylor Swift has one and why it's just a marketing ploy! Then, we'll explore the concept of the "new collar" workforce, a concept created by Harvard Business Review. We'll talk about why it shouldn't exist and how it relates to the degree free movement. Fina...
Apr 05, 2023•30 min•Ep. 93
Welcome to today's episode! Today, we'll be discussing hot topics and news related to education, jobs, and career prospects. First, we'll dive into the recent decision made by Pennsylvania to drop degree requirements for 92% of jobs. This move has been made with the aim to open up job opportunities to a larger segment of the population and to address the skills gap in the workforce. We'll explore the implications of this decision and what it could mean for the future of work and education. Next,...
Mar 29, 2023•30 min•Ep. 92
Today we're gonna be talking about the mindset shift that changed our lives, and we wholeheartedly believe can change your life too! In this episode, we discuss: • How to make smart choices to get outsized returns for your career and life • Why you're not gonna be able to retire early if you just save • Why it's very easy to compare yourself to everybody else's success and what you can do about it • Putting your efforts in the right place Ryan and Hannah also talked about how why multitasking is...
Mar 22, 2023•21 min•Ep. 91
Today, we’re doing something different, something new! We're discussing 3 different topics, sort of like a variety show. And so, our topics for today are: • A realistic timeline for finding a job • Crazytown. Record hiring and mass layoffs, at the same time? • Why Amazon is paying college grads NOT to hire them? We also read some of your reviews and thank you so much for writing them! To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.co Ready to get the job you wan...
Mar 15, 2023•50 min•Ep. 90
Obviously, there are interview questions and prep that you have to do to prepare for your interviews. You have to be ready for the generic questions: - Tell me about yourself - Do you have any questions? - Why do you want to work for this company? But, that’s not what we’re going to talk about today. We can cover those in another episode! Today, we’re going to go over 7 tricks you can use to get your interviewer to love you. All 7 of them are very simple and can absolutely be put into practice o...
Mar 08, 2023•21 min•Ep. 89
Today, we are stoked to announce that we have created a course to bring all of the strategies we’ve taught on this podcast and throughout the years into one system that helps people change careers! We get a ton of messages from people wanting our help to teach themselves new skills, get better jobs, or make career changes, and we wanted to make something that would get people what they want! If you're ready to take the leap and pursue a new career path, tune in to the full episode to learn about...
Mar 01, 2023•14 min•Ep. 88
In today’s competitive job market, it can be challenging to stand out and secure your dream marketing job, especially if you don’t have a degree or experience. But don’t let that discourage you! In this episode, we share valuable tips and insights on how to get a marketing job without a degree or experience. Our guest, James Stewart, is a marketing expert with over a decade of experience in the field. He worked his way up working for startups, eventually landing a job at Adobe and then now worki...
Feb 22, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 87
Want to earn a tech salary without coding? Then this episode with Bradley Rice is for you! In this episode, we talk about how you can start your career in tech through Salesforce Certifications. As most of you know, Hannah got her start in tech through the Salesforce Admin certification, and Bradley helps people get those certifications and launch their careers in Salesforce. We also talked about how to start networking the right way and grow your network on Linkedin. This episode is value-packe...
Feb 15, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 86
Today our guest is Diana Spencer, and we go over everything that you need to know in order to transition your career into operations. We talk about what operation is and how to make your transition into that field if you're not already in it. We talk about how she initially got into operations as a bookkeeper and how she initially got the job by lying on her resume and learning quickly how to do the job and becoming really proficient at it. ----- Diana has had over a decade of experience working...
Feb 08, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 85
In this episode, we talk to Billy Cosentino to discuss the key skills and strategies that helped him succeed in the IT sector, no degree needed! From coding bootcamps to networking, we'll cover all the steps you can take to get your foot in the door. Whether you're a recent high school graduate, a career changer, or someone looking to make a pivot, this episode will provide valuable insights and inspiration for anyone looking to break into the tech world and have a successful tech career. So tun...
Feb 01, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 84
We’ve all been there, waiting for the right idea to hit us so that we can begin working on a creative project or task. We think that waiting will lead us to success but it turns out waiting for the right idea will lead you nowhere. In this episode, we talk about: - Why ideas are only as good as their implementation; merely having an idea does not guarantee success or progress. - How waiting for the right idea costs us years of our life - Simple steps that anyone can take to bring their ideas fro...
Jan 25, 2023•40 min•Ep. 83
Many of us have been there - staring at a job description for a position we are desperate to apply for, but feeling intimidated by the extensive list of qualifications and requirements. We might feel that we don't measure up, and so practice self-elimination by not applying. However, the truth is that job descriptions are often crafted as wish lists – and you should still apply even if you don't tick all the boxes! In this episode, we talk about: - Why you don't have to be the perfect job candid...
Jan 18, 2023•20 min•Ep. 82
The job market is tough: It takes a hundred applications to land an interview, and here's how you can make every application count and increase your odds to get the job you want! In this episode, we talk about: - How to brute force your way into work in the current tough job market through volume applying - Why job hunting can be lonely and frustrating, and what you can do to mitigate it - The little things you can do to improve your odds of getting hired Ryan and Hannah also talked about how yo...
Jan 11, 2023•34 min•Ep. 81
Finding a job is a topic that is rarely discussed, yet it's something all of us will face at some point in our lives. Unfortunately, most of us never received any formal instruction on the subject during our school years. This is why you should learn how to find a job backwards! Hannah went from $28k working in a call center to $185k as a product owner using this technique. This is how she figured out what skills to teach herself and what jobs to apply for! In this episode, we talk about: - How ...
Jan 04, 2023•28 min•Ep. 80
You’ve probably heard this said a million times in interviews or in job application processes. "You’ll hear from us either way." They’re most likely lying to you. In this episode, we talk about: - The different things you can do to deal with "you’ll hear from us either way". - The importance of following up on your job applications. - Why you should diversify where you’re spending your efforts when you’re searching for a job. Ryan and Hannah also talked about how job hunting can be lonely and wh...
Dec 28, 2022•32 min•Ep. 79
If you’ve ever wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes when applying for a position at Microsoft, then this episode is for you. We have Jerry Condra, an engineering manager working for 15 years at Microsoft to give us a sneak peek at how Microsoft selects its talent! In this episode, we talk about: - How Jerry got a job at Microsoft using a certification and his network - Behind the scenes of working & hiring talent at Microsoft - How soft skills can be more valuable than technical ski...
Dec 21, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 78
Today, we have Eric Ostler, Senior Incident Manager at Nike. Make sure to listen to the full episode as this one is a goldmine of knowledge if you’re interested in working in IT! In this episode, we talk about: - How bootcamps & certifications can double your income - The day-to-day life of Eric as an incident manager at Nike - How to thrive in a high-stress work environment - How to get your foot in the door if you’re interested in going into tech/IT - How to nail your next interview and ge...
Dec 14, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 77
Today, we have Jason Tugman, Director of Information Security to talk about how to break into cybersecurity without a degree, how he accidentally raised $1m for a startup, how asking the right questions can help your career, and more! Jason is currently a medical device company's Director of Information Security and Data Security Officer. He has spent much of his professional career developing cybersecurity assessments and programs, including developing a pre-binding assessment and metrics aggre...
Dec 07, 2022•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 76
Today, we have Milo Speranzo, Dell’s Senior Director of Marketing to talk about how to grow your network effectively, excel in your career, and the ins and outs of marketing. Milo Speranzo is the Sr. Director of North America marketing for Dell Technologies. In this role, Speranzo is responsible for driving the vision, strategy, and execution of all marketing functions for Dell Technologies’ Public, Channel, and Specialty Sales teams. Previously at Dell Milo held the role of Sr. Director of US P...
Nov 30, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 75
