Technically Speaking with Harrison Wheeler

Back in spring 2024, I recorded a handful of episodes with no idea they’d take the scenic route to your inbox. Life had other plans, but the conversations held up beautifully, maybe even better with a little time to breathe. This is the first in a short run of those spring episodes, and I think you’ll find it worth the wait. In this episode of Technically Speaking, I'm joined by Jermaine Murray also known as The Jobfather. He's a career coach and founder of Jupiter HR, who's vision is to help 500 Black professionals land jobs in tech (he’s currently at 448). We get into the state of today's job market from employer indifference toward DEI to the rise of AI, and what it actually takes to future-proof your career. Jermaine shares his approach to identifying green flags when evaluating companies, how to avoid burnout while doing meaningful work, and why now is the time to invest in yourself even when the odds feel stacked against many. This one's part motivation, part strategy, and packed with sharp insights for anyone navigating change. We also had a few moments of laugh out loud laughter from his stories. Key Takeaways * Leverage Your Past Skills: Don't abandon previous experience when transitioning to tech - assess what you're good at, what you like, and what you've had success with to find the right tech role * Job Market Reality Check: Current tech job searches take 9-18 months (vs. 2-3 months previously) due to increased competition and fewer opportunities - timing and referrals are crucial * DEI Shift: Companies have moved from active diversity requirements to "indifference" - focus on finding places where you're appreciated, not just tolerated * Embrace AI as a Tool: You won't be replaced by AI, but by someone leveraging AI better than you - adapt and use it as a productivity multiplier rather than fear it * Ask the Hard Questions: Always interview to know your market value, and directly ask about things that make you anxious (company stability, layoff history, diversity support) - how they respond matters more than what they say Notable Quotes "Ask them the most awkward things. The things that make you feel anxious. Ask them... what happens with disruptions or new technologies." "Taking an interview is not the same as job hopping... you should always be interviewing so that you know what your real time value is and whatever decision that you make is an informed decision." "You can't be scared of AI... you will be replaced by somebody that is leveraging AI rather than AI itself." "Why do you think that your employer owns the skills that you carry with you in your body? They own the time that you work for them, but all the skills you carry with you." Resources * Follow Jermaine on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok * JupiterHR * Harrison on LinkedIn, Instagram Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Meet Jermaine Murray "The job father" 00:47 Jermaine's mission and success stories 02:05 Balancing work and health 03:01 Gaming talk: from Final Fantasy to Nvidia 04:30 Current obsessions: fitness journey 07:41 Unusual jobs and memorable stories 11:59 The origin of 'The job father' 17:54 Defining tech and career advice 24:29 Understanding career motivations 25:10 Leveraging past skills in new roles 27:35 Recruitment strategies and market trends 30:51 The impact of DEI in the workplace 35:02 Navigating AI and technological advancements 40:18 Identifying green flags in job opportunities 47:25 Final thoughts and contact information Get full access to Technically Speaking at technicallyspeakinghw.substack.com/subscribe