Johnny Page shares his journey from working as a straight-commission sales rep to becoming the CEO of SaaS Academy. He talks about the importance of taking risks and learning transferable skills, as well as the mindset of treating the company as one’s own. He emphasizes the importance of taking initiative, building trust, and exhibiting leadership before earning a title. He also discusses the value of working with people and organizations that align with your values and goals. He outlines his tr...
Jul 24, 2024•47 min•Ep. 214
Jonaed interviews Khalilah KO Olokunola, a senior advisor for TalentNova and founder of Reengineering HR, about skills-first hiring and navigating the workforce for justice-impacted individuals. They discuss the challenges faced by justice-impacted individuals in finding employment, the importance of community support, the impact of Ban-the-Box policies, and the skills and certifications that justice-impacted individuals possess. They also explore the process of building confidence, the rights o...
Jul 15, 2024•37 min•Ep. 213
Many people he knew struggled to pay their mountain of debt. Although Robert McGraw graduated from college, from experience, he recognized that there was a lot that was wrong with the process of deciding to go to school. Listen in as he and Jonaed discuss his book, 12 Lies About College, and and why following your passions can sometimes work against you. Support/Contact Robert: LinkedIn Books mentioned: 12 Lies About College Want to get in touch with NoDegree? Listen to more podcast episodes her...
Jul 09, 2024•42 min•Ep. 212
From janitor to Cloud Architect at Microsoft, Reginald Davis’ journey shows the power of taking risks and believing in oneself. In this episode, he talks about being an introvert and his school experience as a dyslexic kid and the support he got from his mom and teachers. Tune in as he shares practical tips he used to boost his communication skills and how AI tools like Microsoft Copilot have helped to ease the stress of writing for him. He also emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding....
Jul 02, 2024•47 min•Ep. 211
The youngest of six siblings, Olajide Omotayo‘s love for the game started at the age of nine. Years of training paid when he won the Men’s Singles at the 2019 African Games. As current Champion of African he competed in this year’s Tokyo Olympics. Listen in as he shares his story with Jonaed. Want to get in touch and/or support Olajide? LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter Website Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn. - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.c...
Jun 25, 2024•39 min•Ep. 210
Lead Negotiator, Brandon Bramley, addresses common concerns that arise during this critical recruitment stage. Brandon and Jonaed dispel typical myths about job offer negotiation, discuss the importance of leverage, and provide insights on when and how to negotiate. They stress the importance of research, preparation, and professionalism during such discussions. They also highlight the potential for substantial increases in total compensation and the need to showcase value and advocate for onese...
Jun 18, 2024•33 min•Ep. 209
In high school he wanted to be a rapper. And that’s what Jahmar Gale did for 10 years. But he had a plan: if he didn’t achieve the kind of lifestyle he wanted by the time he was 30, he’d get out of the entertainment industry. So that’s what he did. Listen in as Jahmar tells Jonaed about how he: Was a rapper for 10 years Started and scaled 2 businesses Became a data analyst earning between $75,000 and $90,000 per year Support/Contact Jahmar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahmargale/ Books and resou...
Jun 11, 2024•42 min•Ep. 208
Ever wonder what it's like to break into the tech world without a fancy college degree? Marcus shares his journey from barely graduating high school to becoming a self-taught developer. Forget the typical route —Marcus shares how he went from dreaming about mechanical engineering to hitting up a coding bootcamp and scoring interviews with a killer resume. He dishes out real talk on what it takes to be job-ready versus just interview-ready and shares why knowing your tech stuff inside out is key....
Jun 04, 2024•38 min•Ep. 207
Her parents weren’t worried about her education. But it’s not because they didn’t care. Alejandra Ayala is Mexican and says her immigrant parents’ main concern was to ensure they were providing a roof over their kids’ head. Listen in as Alejandra tells Jonaed why she finally gave up on college and how an unlikely skill helped her to land jobs at places like Adobe, Disney and Google. Get in touch and/or support Alejandra here: LinkedIn Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jona...
May 29, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 206
He got his start as an entrepreneur at the age of eight. He had a newspaper route. Today, John Viola is a successful soccer agent. This week he discusses the challenges faced and mistakes made along the way and emphasizes the importance of passion and hard work in achieving success. John also highlights the impact of AI in the soccer industry and the opportunities it presents. He shares inspiring stories of players he has represented and the satisfaction he derives from helping them achieve thei...
May 21, 2024•36 min•Ep. 205
Do you want a good job? Most people feel that to get one, you need to follow a preset path. Go to college. Get a degree. But with information at our fingertips in split-seconds thanks to the internet, there are options. In this episode Joel Bein talks to Jonaed about how Career Hackers is empowering job seekers to take charge of their learning and careers. Listen in as he tells Jonaed about: How to get a job without applying How you can get an 80% response rate by sending cold emails to a potent...
May 14, 2024•41 min•Ep. 204
Get ready to be inspired by Dustin Gutkowski, a hard-working roofer and successful entrepreneur, as he shares his story of personal/career growth and the challenges faced on his journey. Dustin dishes out wisdom on finding inner joy and hustling hard to make it big. From his gutsy leap into the roofing world to the heartfelt satisfaction of helping folks in tough spots, Dustin's story will have you hooked from start to finish. Key Points Discussed: Social media is a powerful tool for networking ...
May 07, 2024•54 min•Ep. 203
He got raises although management said they weren’t giving raises that year. Scott Barlow has even transitioned from Operations Management to HR. He made career changes like that many times over a 20-year period. If you don’t know what to do after high school or you want to make a career change, listen in as Scott Barlow tells Jonaed: How he transitioned from one career to the another in a different industry several times. About experiments you can do in your job search that can help you to figu...
Apr 30, 2024•48 min•Ep. 202
Did you know that government contracting can be lucrative? In this episode, Chanel Rose, a seasoned expert explains how to break into this profitable industry. Discover what government contracting really entails and get insider tips on scoring those coveted contracts. Learn how to set up your business, snag contract opportunities, and sell your unique value proposition. Plus, dive into the thriving community and buzz surrounding government contracting, proving that a college degree isn't always ...
Apr 23, 2024•49 min•Ep. 201
Do you ever feel like the traditional education system just isn't cutting it? This week Nat Greene, the brains behind Futures Forge, talks about why that is and what we can do about it. Forget boring lectures and pointless grades – Nat's diving deep into why we need a fresh, science-based approach to learning that lasts a lifetime. From the hefty price tag of college to the lack of real-world know-how, he's covering it all. Plus, he's got the inside scoop on Futures Forge's game-changing one-yea...
Apr 16, 2024•45 min•Ep. 200
Public reading was a challenge because of his dyslexia. In this conversation, Gerald Rosengarten discusses his struggles with dyslexia and the challenges he faced in school. He talks about his early jobs in the clothing industry and his transition into wholesale and textiles. He shares the story of how he popularized the leisure suit and the subsequent decline of the fashion trend. Gerald also delves into his foray into real estate and loft development, as well as his experiences with trust and ...
Apr 10, 2024•40 min•Ep. 199
This episode features Dr. Andrea Isoni, an expert in AI and data sciences. The conversation focuses on the journey to becoming a machine learning engineer or data scientist without a degree. The interview covers topics such as understanding Linux and the command line, learning programming languages, using frameworks like Django, and collaborating with others using Git/GitHub. Andrea also shares insights on finding the right internships and job opportunities, staying competitive in the field, and...
Apr 02, 2024•48 min•Ep. 198
With tuition costs soaring, how can students make informed decisions about their education? In this episode, Mark Salisbury discusses the lack of price transparency in college tuition and the impact it has on students and families. He shares insights into the pricing strategies of colleges and universities, the distribution of sticker prices, and the misconceptions surrounding the value of brand name colleges. Mark also highlights the importance of understanding the cost of attendance and the an...
Mar 26, 2024•42 min•Ep. 197
Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn. - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonaed Connect with us on social media! - Instagram: @nodegreecareers - TikTok: @nodegree Thank you for sponsoring our show. If you'd like to support our mission to end the stigma and economic disparity that comes along with not having a college degree, please share with a friend, or drop us a review on Apple Podcast. Remember, no degree? No problem! Whether you're contempla...
Mar 19, 2024•30 min•Ep. 196
Did you know you can work in Tech without coding skills? In this episode, Ty Smith unveils the world of reselling commercial B2B tech products and solutions. He reveals how anyone can enter this field without a college degree by partnering with tech distributors or brokers. Ty stresses the importance of building relationships, exuding confidence, and avoiding chasing trends. He shares success stories of individuals who achieved financial freedom in the IT realm and encourages self-education thro...
Mar 12, 2024•53 min•Ep. 195
After leaving a toxic work environment, Suzanne Kelly vowed to never work for anyone ever again. She put together all she needed to start her own employment agency with just six months of planning. The years spent as a recruiter taught her the hiring process inside and out. She understands business and leadership. As a Chief Talent Advisor, she curates unbiased referencing for c-suite executives. When companies select their top tier candidates, they can’t accurately assess a candidate’s soft ski...
Mar 05, 2024•50 min•Ep. 194
She outworked and outshined others around her with creativity and hard work. Monique Davis leveraged her experience recruiting models to break into the recruiting world. She's now the founder of Fresh Talent Sources, a sourcing and training firm that helps startups and small to medium-sized businesses get the best candidates to help their establishments thrive. Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn. - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonaed Connec...
Feb 27, 2024•45 min•Ep. 193
Christopher Nesbit did web development from the tender age of seven. He's been an art teacher, a computer technician, a manager of retail stores, even a CNC technician. He's owned several businesses from web development to marketing. All of these experiences gave him a solid foundation for Industrial Marketing. Listen as he shares his NoDegree story with Jonaed. Timestamps Good work ethic, how did Chris get it? [Timestamp 1:49] Working from an early age cultivated this quality in him. He always ...
Feb 21, 2024•39 min•Ep. 192
Jamar Jones, founder of Foureva Media, shares his journey as a rapper and entrepreneur. He discusses his high school experiences, his passion for music, and the challenges he faced in the industry. Jamar emphasizes the importance of hard work and investing in oneself. He also talks about his transition to the IT field and how his experience as a performer helped him in the workplace. Ultimately, Jamar started his own media company to help others market and promote their brands. Key points discus...
Feb 13, 2024•59 min•Ep. 191
Imagine getting job opportunities WITHOUT applying for them. Seems too good to be true? Well, that’s exactly what happened to Jae Taylor, a tech executive who’s worked at famous companies like Microsoft, Expedia, and Salesforce, to name a few. Listen in as he discusses how building a strong personal reputation is essential for career resilience, how it can lead to new opportunities and offer protection during layoffs or organizational changes. As he shares his journey in the tech industry he giv...
Feb 06, 2024•52 min•Ep. 190
Want to get in touch and/or support Jae ? LinkedIn Twitter Mentorship at MentorMesh Want to get in touch with NoDegree Inc? Listen to more podcast episodes here Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn Follow NoDegree on LinkedIn , Facebook and Instagram Remember, no degree? No problem! Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn. - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonaed Connect with us on social media! - Instagram: @nodegreecareers - TikTok...
Jan 30, 2024•45 min•Ep. 189
In this episode, Jonaed Iqbal converses with Brett Solomano about his transition from stunt performing to trucking. They delve into the salary of stunt performers and truck drivers as well as the skills necessary for both jobs. Brett's journey unfolds as a testament to the power of continuous learning and adaptability. As a successful stunt performer, truck business owner, and public speaker, he emphasizes the importance of facing challenges daily and seizing opportunities in the entrepreneurial...
Jan 23, 2024•34 min•Ep. 188
He was a consultant for businesses WHILE he attended high school. Faisal Abid went to college but dropped out after serious consideration. In this episode, he delves into his career path, underscoring self-learning and constructive criticism as key growth factors. He narrates navigating through his insecurity around not having a degree, his shift into AI and starting and stopping business. Tune in to find out how networking and selling skills can benefit your career if you don’t have a degree, a...
Jan 16, 2024•45 min•Ep. 187
High school didn’t interest him much and his grades reflected that. That was until Diamond Forbes found something that was engaging. In this episode, he details how he transitioned from working in Help Desk to a Security Engineer at Google. He details his career journey from earning $14/hour to a six-figure salary, his transition from network engineer to senior security engineer, and his job application experiences at top companies. Diamond also provides insights on handling finances, dealing wi...
Jan 09, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 186
Dr. Ai spent 15 years as a college professor before quitting to establish Classroom Without Walls, an organization committed to helping teenagers and young adults develop needed skills to become career-ready, life-ready, and achieve a high level of success, whether they have good grades or not. In today's episode, Dr. Ai joins Jonaed Iqbal to analyze the issues plaguing the education system, including its stifling effects on innovation, how grades and exams negatively impact students and the rel...
Jan 03, 2024•34 min•Ep. 185
