JumpStart 2 Tech Podcast

Hosted by Vinod Akunuri

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Latest episode

Feb 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Welcome to JumpStart 2 Tech(JS2T) our podcast designed to jumpstart you into the heart of tech with insider knowledge, actionable advice, and inspiring stories. Whether you are just starting out or pivoting your career in tech this podcast is for you. Our episodes is designed for all ages whether you are in high school, college, in a profession already! Why tune in? Because I've been exactly where you are. Starting with no clear direction in tech, I faced the daunting question of "What's next?" It was through the guidance of dedicated mentors, the support of influential sponsors, and the strength of pivotal connections that I carved my unique path. Instead of following the conventional routes into government or corporate sectors post-college, I ventured into teaching within the tech industry, which not only shaped my journey but also set it apart. On JumpStart 2 Tech, you'll hear from a diverse lineup of guests, including visionary CEOs, influential C-suite executives, and guests in various tech roles. We'll dive into themes like jump-starting your career in tech , mastering the job market, tech entrepreneurship, personal development, generative AI, remote work, digital nomadism, and much more. Our conversations will span a wide array of topics, all aimed at equipping you with the knowledge and insights needed to make your mark in tech. Join us on JumpStart 2 Tech, where we're not just talking about the future of technology – we're helping you become a part of it. jumpstart2tech.com

Listen to episodes

23 recent

February 10, 202645 min

Get a Government Clearance, The ClearanceJobs Guide, with Katie H.

Katie Helbling is the Content Marketing Manager at ClearanceJobs and former recruiter, where she focuses on helping cleared professionals, especially those transitioning out of military service or pivoting careers, understand the national security job market and navigate their next career move with confidence. She works closely with recruiters, hiring managers, and candidates across the defense and intelligence community, translating what employers are truly looking for into practical, actionable guidance for job seekers.Whether you’re separating from military service, pivoting into defense tech, or trying to level up in the cleared workforce, this episode gives you the clarity, confidence, and tools to move forward with purpose.Additional Links :https://www.clearancejobs.com/Join Our Free Tech Community:https://discord.com/invite/4d6kZjBH4X

July 14, 202527 min

Cyber Projects To Get You Hired Part 1, with Tennisha Martin

In this episode, we sit down with Tennisha Martin — founder of BlackGirlsHack and a leading voice in cybersecurity — to break down exactly what it takes to get into the field.We go beyond generic advice and dive deep into the real, hands-on projects that can actually get you hired. Tennisha shares her personal journey, how she transitioned into cybersecurity, and the specific types of labs, capture-the-flag challenges, and threat modeling exercises that hiring managers pay attention to.Whether you're just starting out or trying to switch careers, this conversation will show you how to build a skills-first portfolio that gets results.Tennisha LinkedInJoin Our Free Tech Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link To JS2T Media Handles⁠

July 7, 20251 hr 0 min

No Handouts, Just Hustle — $1 Million in GovTech, with Symone Beez

Symone Beez went from surviving on food stamps to earning over $1 million through GovTech — built over time, through consistency, strategy, and hustle. We also talk about what GovTech actually is — how the space works and why more people should be paying attention to it, Symone shares the real challenges behind the scenes: dealing with doubt, building credibility from scratch, and scaling project by project.⁠Join Our Free Tech Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link To JS2T Media Handles⁠⁠Connect With Symone⁠

June 29, 202548 min

A Career In Tech Sales, I Work In Big Tech at IBM - With Christopher M.

In this episode, we sit down with Christopher M., a tech sales professional at IBM, to talk about what it’s really like working in tech sales at a major company. Christopher shares how he broke into the field, the skills that helped him grow, and the day-to-day responsibilities that come with working in a client-facing role at IBM. We explore what tech sales actually involves, the misconceptions people often have, and how to build confidence when you’re just starting out. If you’ve ever thought about working in sales, breaking into tech, or learning how large companies sell their products and services, this episode offers clarity and insight from someone doing the work every day.Join Our Free Tech Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link To JS2T Media Handles

June 25, 202517 min

Let’s Talk Gender, Power & Leadership — A Brutally Honest Conversation with Dawn Myers

What Does 50/50 Look Like Between Men and Women?Who Should Take the Lead? Who Should Lead? Or Should Both?A very spontaneous episode with my friend Dawn Myers, the founder of Richualist. We talked about everything from business partnerships to relationships — and how the idea of balance plays out differently for men and women in both spaces.Dawn brought the fire with her perspective as a female founder while I brought my lens as a male founder in the business world.Join Our Free Tech Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link To JS2T Media Handles

June 22, 202526 min

Market Your LinkedIn And Watch Your Career EXPLODE, with Dennis Yu

Dennis Yu is a globally recognized digital marketing expert and the CEO of BlitzMetrics. With over 20 years of experience building training programs and data-driven ad strategies, Dennis has worked with major brands like Nike, the Golden State Warriors, and Rosetta Stone. He is passionate about helping small businesses grow through personal branding, local service marketing, and mentorship. Dennis has spoken in 17 countries, taught at over 700 conferences, and built a movement around empowering the next generation of marketersDennis LinkedInJoin Our Free Tech Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link To JS2T Media Handles

June 16, 20251 hr 2 min

Your Systems Are The Strategy: Scale Smart, Earn More Money, and Defeat Burnout, with Katie Hahn

Katie Hahn is in the world of tech, systems strategy, and women’s coaching.As Chief of Staff at GovTechCon and creator of the CLIMB Framework, she helps women shift from business chaos to consistent growth using smart, scalable systems.In this episode, Katie opens up about her journey from burnout to clarity, how to lead without losing yourself, and why systems are the key to building a business that lasts. If you’re a coach, creative, or tech professional ready to scale with intention, this conversation is for you.Katie LinkedInJoin Our Free Tech Community⁠⁠⁠⁠Link To JS2T Media Handles

June 8, 202544 min

Got Hired To Track Threats Online (OSINT), With Jefferson Agyei

In this episode of Jumpstart 2 Tech, we sit down with Jefferson Antwi-Agyei, a Threat Intelligence Analyst specializing in OSINT investigations, risk assessments, and social media monitoring. From analyzing global threats to securing digital and physical environments, Jefferson breaks down what OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) actually looks like in real life and how he landed a career in this growing cybersecurity field. He shares his personal journey, the power of having a roadmap, and how Jumpstart 2 Tech became the shortcut that helped him get hired.If you’ve ever been curious about careers in cyber threat intelligence or want to understand how public information can protect (or expose) the world, this episode is for you.Join Our Free Tech Community⁠⁠Link To JS2T Media Handles

June 1, 202547 min

Data Engineers Run the Internet - Here’s How to Become One, With Cecelia Dickson

In this episode of Jumpstart 2 Tech, we’re joined by Cecelia, a data engineer with a background in data science, AI, and software engineering. Cecelia began her journey as a Jr. Big Data Engineer in the finance industry, where she learned how to build scalable solutions for large-scale data platforms. Since then, she’s worked on everything from production-ready ETL pipelines to cloud optimization frameworks using tools like S3, Grafana, and Tableau. If you’re curious about what data engineers actually do, or you’re trying to figure out how to start your own journey, this episode is packed with insight, strategy, and inspirationJoin Our Free Tech CommunityLink To JS2T Media Handles

May 25, 202547 min

Behind Every App Launch Is DevOps – A Career in DevOps, With Victor Grillo

In this episode, we sit down with Victor Grillo to explore the vital yet often behind-the-scenes world of DevOps. If you've ever wondered how apps go from code to customer, DevOps is the engine making it possible. Victor breaks down what DevOps really is, the skills needed to succeed, and why it’s one of the most in-demand career paths in tech today. Whether you're a developer, a tech enthusiast, or someone considering a pivot into tech, this conversation will give you a clear look at how DevOps powers modern software and how you can become part of it.