Skills_First
Welcome to the Skills First podcast, brought to you by The Apprenticeship Playbook. This podcast is your go-to resource for exploring the transformative world of skills-first hiring and modern tech apprenticeships. Whether you’re part of a community-based organization, a funder, an educator, or a company eager to implement innovative hiring practices, this show is for you. Join host Mike Roberts as he engages with industry leaders and pioneers who are redefining the pathways to tech careers. Discover actionable insights, best practices, and strategies to foster inclusive, skills-based opportunities that empower individuals and drive organizational success. Tune in and be part of the movement that’s shaping the future of work.
Skills_First
From Smog Technician to Tech Consultant: Julian Gonzalez's Inspiring Journey
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What if you could transform your career from a grueling, heat-soaked job to a thriving position in tech, all during a global pandemic? Julian Gonzalez did just that. Join us as we discuss Julian's inspiring journey from being a smog technician in Fresno, California, to becoming a Development Consultant within the ServiceNow ecosystem. Despite facing countless rejections, Julian's determination to complete his associate's degree and seize a rare software development apprenticeship opportunity showcases the power of perseverance, mentorship, and non-traditional career pathways.
Hear firsthand how Julian's experience in an accelerated coding program reshaped his problem-solving skills and productivity. He opens up about the financial and personal triumphs that came with his first paycheck from Uplift, and the pivotal role his mentor, Joshua Shapiro, played in his success. This episode also highlights the importance of skills-first hiring and innovative learning pathways in tech, alongside a fun reveal of Julian's favorite snack—Thai milk tea. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the future of modern apprenticeships and how they can revolutionize lives and careers.
Modern Apprenticeship Pathways in Tech
Speaker 1When I started looking for jobs and everyone just kept rejecting my applications , I was like man , there has to be a way to learn on the job . And then it immediately hit me wait a minute , what if there's like an apprenticeship for software development ? And so I just went on .
Speaker 2but when I was like software development , apprenticeship and stuff , and I got really lucky and I found it , hey everyone , this is Mike Roberts , creator of the Apprenticeship Playbook , and you're tuned in to the Skills First podcast . In today's world , skills First hiring is revolutionizing the job market and on this show I sit down with trailblazers who are rethinking hiring practices and embracing experiential learning , as well as the people impacted . Follow along as we dive into tips , innovative ideas and proven strategies to help you navigate and thrive in the evolving landscape of modern apprenticeships . So let's start with having you tell me what your name is and tell me what your current job title is .
Speaker 1My name is Julian Gonzalez and my current job title is Development Consultant for Athletes and Social Group .
Speaker 2So you're doing some work in the ServiceNow ecosystem Awesome . So where do you live ?
Speaker 1I live in the Central Valley , a place called Fresno , California .
Speaker 2And what were you doing before you started this new career ?
Speaker 1So before I did this , I worked as a smog tech five years and it was a chill job , but I could only go up so far in the ladder and make so much money . And when you work in a smog tech , especially right here in the summer , like it gets in the summer in Brazil , it gets to like under 10 . And I have to inspect cars it's 110 degree weather and an engine to inspect cars on it . It's a hundred and ten degree weather and an engine based like a hundred plus degrees . That's several work conditions .
Speaker 2Yeah , not fun . My guess is , pathways is a little bit more comfortable .
Speaker 1Oh , that is so much better . I have AC at home .
Speaker 2AC , I know Work it inside . Yeah , that's a phenomenal transition from working in the heat and doing like physical manual type out there and all kinds of people that you're dealing with , to now really solving problems from the comfort of your home . That sounds amazing . What was one of the biggest challenges in your journey to become a software engineer ?
Speaker 1I've always wanted to get into tech . I just always doubted myself and then , when the pandemic started , I decided I was going to to get into tech . I just always doubted myself and then , when the pandemic started , I decided I was going to get serious about it and I was on track to finishing my associates . I just focused on that and then I quit my job in March of 2021 . And I told myself okay , I'm almost done with my associates , I'm going to focus on that and I'm going to do a lot of projects and apply for jobs . And I was just applying for jobs every single day , week after week , month after month , and I was getting no responses . I don't know .
Speaker 2So how did you learn about this program that you completed ?
Speaker 1My brothers work there as electricians , they work in low voltage and their lines , and they actually got their start through apprenticeship . And my dad's always like when I first got out of high school , I applied for the Carpentry Union as an apprentice , but the list of that is like 300 plus people every single year , and so that was going to take a couple of years for me to even get looked at . And so when I started looking for jobs and everyone just kept rejecting my applications , I was like man , there has to be a way to learn on the job . And then it immediately hit me wait a minute , what if there's like an apprenticeship for software development ? And so I just went on . But when I was like software development , apprenticeship and stuff , and I got really lucky and I found a CCC .
Speaker 2Nice . Yeah , man , that's the cheat code that you found . Because , like , a lot of people don't make that connection , so they don't even think that this is an opportunity and there are very few apprenticeship programs very few . So like to know to do the search , like I think was a big hack , that hopefully people are hearing this and they realize that oh man , try that hack and more of that searching . Oh man , try that hack and more of that searching might result in more of these companies starting to show up because we see there's a demand .
Success in Tech
Speaker 2So how long did it take for you to finish the program ?
Speaker 1It actually took me a month to complete all the . It took me like a month to finish all the projects for CCC and then two months I finished ServiceNow . I got my CAC the month after and then I like a month to finish up the project for CCC , and then two months I finished service now . I got my CSA the month after and then I waited a month and I still kept doing service now and then I got imported to Uplift .
Speaker 2So I often tell people your story and share with them that like , oh yeah , we have some people that fly through the curriculum because they've had a little bit of time to like self-teach or go through and it's a testament to how much hard work you put in beforehand when it was just unseen . It's the time that , like a lot of people put in before they're successful . That really allowed you , I think , to just crush it in the curriculum and get done with . Most people might take four to six months and literally two months , like a month of just like banging out learning the new things Cause I'm sure there are new things that you're learning in the curriculum . But also just , man , like you're now , like you're the what would the benchmark we compare everybody to ?
Speaker 2It's like Julian , is this going to be Julian ? Or a little like a half of Julian , right ? So again , props for that , for putting in the work , because it doesn't come easy for anybody , but it was clear . I remember when I interviewed you I asked you some question about coding and I could see like you lit up and I was like , oh , this guy is gonna be a coder I .
Speaker 1I enjoyed the work a lot and it's like you said . I was like I was really determined to that man . I working at the smart shop was cool , but like it was soulless and I didn't want to go back to that at all . And my boss was really cool and he was like anytime you need to come back , but I was determined not to come back oh , yeah , yeah .
Speaker 2You gotta be looking forward . So how is learning to code make a difference or an impact on you , both professionally and personally ?
Speaker 1I feel like I look at things differently when solving challenges . The way I learn things is , I guess , a little bit more productive . It teaches you to look at a problem and just be stuck at it and not really get anywhere . But learning to code it taught me . There's so many resources online , or even asking someone , and that video can all lead you to the answer . And then sometimes too , if you're looking for the answer , but if you focus too much , you're never going to get the answer . And so sometimes too , if you're looking for the answer , but if you focus too much , you're never going to get the answer , and so sometimes you just need to take a break and get away from it and then come back with a fresh perspective . I feel like that . Really . That really helped me out in my personal life as well .
Speaker 2Yeah , so many transferable skills that you can take and you can apply to your everyday to make you just a better human . A hundred percent agree . What do you look forward to most now professionally ?
Speaker 1I just actually just got my first paycheck from an athlete , like this week or last week , and it was so amazing because I'm used to getting like 18 bucks , 20 bucks an hour and like my mortgage is like 1600 bucks a month and so it feels nice to actually have some money left over and be able to save . And I guess the thing I'm not looking forward with a lot of being able to actually build a retirement , actually be able to afford , like maybe now I can actually afford that nice man , that's uh , that's huge .
Speaker 2like I can just . I can hear and sense the like weight lifted off your shoulder to know that if you're living from paycheck to paycheck and you have now that capacity , that's huge . I remember when that happened for me . I remember when I went from like really wanting to do this to figuring out , oh I can do what I do for fun , I can do that for real . And then starting to see those checks come in , I was just like whoa , this is like life changing . Yeah , it was great . Who's someone that you look up to that you want to give a ?
Speaker 1I honestly you and you and Joshua Shapiro , my mentor because what you're doing is I don't think without you , I don't know , maybe I would have been able to get a job in software development , but it would have taken me a lot longer . And it is very demoralizing to be looking for a job for four months , five months , and not get , not even hear back from recruiters . What you're doing is it's a blessing . If someone applies for CCC , I think they need to realize how it's such a great opportunity and if they're going to join , they need to realize how no one . It's like you said earlier that there's not very much apprenticeships in california or in the us for software development like I think . Out of all the apprenticeships , I thought you were like the only one that actually is actually doing the apprenticeship program . It's a huge opportunity and people need to take an advantage of that .
Speaker 2Appreciate it . I appreciate you showing love , especially also to Josh Shapiro . Shout out to him , I think having that mentorship , I think , is I'll give him more credit in the shout out than I . Just I feel almost morally obligated , since I've lived the lifestyle of those big checks , to be able to say , hey , how can I help more people that are just like they're deserving , they're super hardworking , you're out there in the heat and you want to do something different . If I can help , more than happy to do so . Appreciate you . This is the last question and it's most challenging for some . What is your favorite snack ?
Speaker 1My favorite snack man , you drink out Thai milk tea .
Speaker 2Oh Thai milk tea . Do drinks count , thai milk tea ? Oh Thai milk tea . Okay , yeah , yeah , but that doesn't have the little bubble things in it .
Speaker 1That's just tea , not the tea with the little like yeah , you can add the boba , but I don't really like the boba because it's like plastic .
Speaker 2Yeah , I don't like it either . Like , sometimes you just need a little refreshing pick-me-up in the middle of your day , so I like it . Awesome . All right , julian , thanks so much for coming on the program . Yeah , thanks .
Speaker 1Mike for having me Awesome .
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