Jalen Vaughn, a senior at IU Indianapolis, is proud to share his love and interest in technology with other people. When Jalen heard about TechPoint’s Xtern program from his brother, he knew he had to apply to fulfill his tech crave. Learn more about Jalen’s experience with Xtern here.
Show Notes:
In this episode of See Yourself IN, host Casey Harrison interviews Sam Huser, an Indiana University student deeply passionate about technology and innovation. Sam recounts his journey from contemplating self-learning coding post-high school to embracing college life at IU. He shares insights from his involvement in the Luddy Learning Community and the TechPoint Xtern program, working with companies like HC1. Along the way, he discusses overcoming academic and personal obstacles, the rigorous process of securing internships, and the value of networking and continuous learning in career growth. Sam also touches on persistence, adaptability, and the importance of having a supportive community in navigating the tech industry.
5 Key Takeaways:
1. Embrace continuous learning: Never stop exploring new knowledge and skills, even outside of your chosen field.
2. Persevere through challenges: Difficult times can lead to growth and unexpected opportunities.
3. Build a supportive network: Surround yourself with people who encourage and motivate you.
4. Explore different paths: College and internships can expose you to new passions and career options.
5. Find your place: You can build a fulfilling career and life in Indiana’s thriving tech industry.
See Yourself IN, a new podcast brought to you by the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, will give you insights into the jobs, people, and innovations of the future. For more resources on the jobs, companies, and opportunities in Indiana, visit cicpindiana.com/SYI.
Show Notes:
In this episode of See Yourself IN, host Casey Harrison interviews Emil Ekiyor, founder and CEO of InnoPower. Emil shares his inspiring journey from a professional football player to a driving force in Indiana’s innovation economy. We dive into the importance of regional competitiveness, the power of inclusive communities, and practical steps individuals can take to get involved. Emil’s passion for creating opportunities and empowering others is contagious as he shares valuable insights and actionable advice with listeners.
5 Key Takeaways:
1. The power of purpose: Finding a purpose beyond personal gain is essential for a fulfilling life and career. Emil emphasizes the importance of being part of something bigger than oneself.
2. The importance of inclusive communities: Creating spaces where people from diverse backgrounds can come together and share ideas is crucial for innovation and progress.
3. The role of energy and passion: Bringing positive energy and enthusiasm to your work is essential for success and attracting others to your vision.
4. The value of lifelong learning: Continuously seek out opportunities to learn and grow, both personally and professionally.
5. Building social capital: Invest time in building relationships with people from different backgrounds and industries to expand your network and opportunities.
For more resources on the jobs, companies, and opportunities in Indiana, visit www.cicpindiana.com/SYI.
| Telamon’s new cobots are programmed to label, weigh and palletize the kits for their telecommunications networks products, removing the need for manual intervention at the end of the process. Check out this case study from Conexus Indiana to learn more about how this project increases company revenues and improves customer satisfaction |
Show Notes:
In this episode of See Yourself IN, host Casey Harrison sits down with Moe Simmons, Program Manager at Purdue Innovates. Moe shares his unexpected journey to Indiana, starting with his studies in video broadcasting at Butler University, through his diverse career in sales, property management, and eventually into tech and higher education. Emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities and embracing a non-linear career path, Moe discusses how his experiences and failures have shaped his professional growth and dedication to fostering inclusion and community support within the tech industry.
1.Embrace Non-Linear Paths: Moe’s career journey, which took him from broadcasting to property management, and eventually to tech and education, highlights the value of embracing diverse experiences and being open to change.
2. Importance of Mental Health: Prioritizing mental health is crucial for personal and professional growth. Moe underscores the impact of mental well-being on achieving career success and maintaining healthy relationships.
3. Taking Risks: Stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things can lead to significant growth and unexpected opportunities. Moe’s willingness to take risks played a key role in his career advancement.
4. Advocacy for Inclusion: Moe is passionate about creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in tech and higher education. He emphasizes the importance of diversity and the need for more inclusive practices in the workplace.
5. Talk Your Stuff: Be confident in your abilities and experiences. Moe advises that effectively communicating your skills and achievements is essential and encourages companies to recognize and take chances on diverse talent.
For more resources on the jobs, companies, and opportunities in Indiana, visit www.cicpindiana.com/SYI.
Learn more about Purdue Innovates
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Find out how a modern youth apprenticeship program called UpSkill Work & Learn is helping a high school senior find her true career passion and what that means for her next step of going to college.
An Indiana automotive parts advanced manufacturer is helping a student find her true passion in engineering through the Regional Opportunity Initiative’s UpSkill Work & Learn apprenticeship program in the Indiana Uplands region.
In this episode of See Yourself IN, host Casey Harrison talks with Gabby Seal about the diverse opportunities in Indiana’s advanced industries, specifically the life sciences sector. Gabby shares her journey from a pre-med student at Indiana University to becoming an MSAT engineer at INCOG BioPharma Services. They dive into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her career path, the importance of networking, and advice for others navigating similar career journeys. Gabby also highlights the significance of aligning personal values with company values and maintaining hobbies for work-life balance.
Career Pivoting: Gabby Seal discusses her transition from pre-med to a career in the life sciences, highlighting the importance of being adaptable and exploring different pathways within the industry.
Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic played a crucial role in shaping Gabby’s career, as she contributed to the manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines at Catalent, underscoring the significance of Indiana’s role in global health.
Networking: Gabby emphasizes the value of networking and reaching out to professionals on platforms like LinkedIn, which helped her secure her position at INCOG BioPharma Services.
Company Culture: Researching and ensuring that a company’s core values align with one’s own is vital for job satisfaction and professional growth.
Work-Life Balance: Maintaining hobbies and interests outside of work can lead to unexpected networking opportunities and help sustain a healthy work-life balance.
For more resources on the jobs, companies, and opportunities in Indiana, visit
In this episode of See Yourself IN, host Casey Harrison sits down with Jefrie Polanco, a quality automation engineer at Allegion, to uncover his inspiring journey into Indiana’s advanced manufacturing sector. Jefrie shares his story of resilience, from facing personal loss to seizing opportunities in the tech field, ultimately finding fulfillment and success in his career. Through perseverance and a passion for learning, Jefrie demonstrates how embracing challenges can lead to unexpected opportunities and personal growth.
Seizing Opportunities: Jefrie’s decision to pursue an adult apprenticeship program, despite initial doubts, highlights the importance of taking chances and embracing new opportunities.
Resilience and Perseverance: Facing setbacks and personal loss, Jefrie’s journey underscores the power of resilience and determination in achieving career goals.
Passion for Learning and Adaptability: Jefrie’s early interest in coding, sparked by modifying his MySpace page, showcases the value of continuous learning and adaptability in a rapidly evolving tech industry.
Teamwork and Communication: Working as a quality automation engineer, Jefrie emphasizes the significance of effective teamwork and communication to deliver high-quality results.
Faith in the Journey: Jefrie’s story inspires listeners to have faith in their career journeys, trusting in themselves and embracing the process of growth and development to achieve their dreams.
To learn more about the TechPoint Adult Apprenticeship Program, visit https://techpoint.org/adult-apprenticeship/
For more resources on the jobs, companies, and opportunities in Indiana, visit https://www.cicpindiana.com/syi.