Tech Talent Today cover art

Tech Talent Today

Tech Talent Today

By: Jodi K Mayer
Listen for free

About this listen

 If you are looking for fresh ideas and inspiration on how to propel your tech career to the next level this is the show for you. TTT is conversations with IT leaders. Hear about the challenges they face and how they overcome them. Learn how IT leaders build their teams and help them grow to the next level. Learn about leadership in the IT space and how you can advance your career in IT. Your host is Jodi Kulek Mayer, President of Clearmont Technologies. She has 25+ years in IT Staffing and Search.Jodi K Mayer Career Success Economics
Episodes
  • Demystifying System Integration with Mohammed Shanab, Ep#41

    Demystifying System Integration with Mohammed Shanab, Ep#41
    Oct 7 2025

    In today's complex digital world, businesses rely on countless systems, but what happens when they don't communicate effectively? Many organizations struggle with poor data flow and frustrating inefficiencies. In this episode of Tech Talent Today, we welcome back Mohammed Shanab (Shanab), a Director in IT specializing in application and data integration. Shanab is here to demystify system integration and explain why a focused approach is vital for any organization's success.

    We'll dive into the major pitfalls of poor integration, like frustrating data inconsistencies and inefficiencies that drain time and resources. Shanab reveals how strong integration ensures data integrity, providing real-time, accurate information crucial for smart decision-making.

    Integrations are going to be very key for AI, because the main backbone, or main component of an AI is data, right? And if you don't provide the right data to an AI, AI is not going to give you the right answers. - Mohammed Shanab

    You'll want to hear this episode if you are interested in…

    0:02:20 — The Backbone of IT: Shanab explains what systems integration is and why it's a critical component that is often taken for granted because it runs "behind the scenes".

    0:05:00 — The Pitfalls of Poor Integration: Learn about the "spaghetti" environment created by siloed departments and how point-to-point integration leads to confusion and rework.

    0:07:27 — The Easiest vs. The Best: Why point-to-point integration is the "easiest" approach but the least desirable, and how to instead adopt a data-driven strategy by identifying a "source of truth".

    0:10:50 — Tangible Benefits of a Centralized Strategy: Shanab reveals how a centralized integration strategy can reduce costs by as much as 40% and improve efficiency by promoting reuse and standardized practices.

    0:12:37 — The Hottest Skills in Integration: Hear about the technical talent and skills most in demand, including experience with IPaaS platforms like MuleSoft and Dell Boomi.

    0:14:22 — Why AI Needs System Integration: Shanab explains how integration is the key to providing AI with the right data at the right time, making it a "driver of more demand" for integration professionals.

    This episode is a must-listen if you're looking to avoid common integration headaches, improve data flow, and truly optimize your organization's IT landscape.

    About Mohammed Shanab

    Shanab is a Director in IT specializing in application and data integration. With a proven track record of success, he has evolved from a software engineer to an integration architect and now a senior management role, making significant contributions in streamlining integration processes and fostering a community of practice.

    Connect with Us

    • Connect with Mohammed Shanab: Shanab's LinkedIn Profile
    • Connect with Tech Talent Today host Jodi Kulek Mayer: Jodi's LinkedIn Profile
    • Visit Clearmont Technologies for IT staffing and search: ClearmontTech.com

    THANKS FOR LISTENING

    Did you enjoy this episode? If so, don't forget to subscribe and share it with a friend. See you next time on Tech Talent Today!

    Subscribe to Tech Talent Today on

    Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts

    This podcast was proudly produced in partnership with Podlad.com
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • From Layoff to 3 Job Offers: Mohammed Shanab's Blueprint for Tech Job Search Success, Ep#39

    From Layoff to 3 Job Offers: Mohammed Shanab's Blueprint for Tech Job Search Success, Ep#39
    Sep 2 2025

    In today's fiercely competitive market, securing even one job offer can feel daunting. But imagine landing three coveted offers in just three months after an unexpected layoff! That's precisely what our guest, Mohammed Shanab (Shanab), achieved. A seasoned Director in IT specializing in application and data integration, Shanab joins us to reveal the invaluable strategies he employed to navigate the job market, from overcoming initial panic to proactively branding himself and leveraging his network to attract opportunities.

    Shanab candidly shares his journey, starting from the "wrecking ball" moment of an unexpected layoff. He admits to initially "panic applying" without a clear strategy, leading to "crickets or no response". His turning point came with a career coach who helped him define his priorities for a new role, leading to a more targeted and effective approach.

    How can you make an organization come to you saying, 'Hey, we have an opening, and I feel that you are a fit for the organization'? That is the most satisfying, because you know that that particular organization wants you.- Mohammed Shanab

    You'll want to hear this episode if you are interested in…

    0:02:18 — From Panic to Plan: Shanab's candid account of being hit by an unexpected layoff and how he shifted from "panic applying" to a targeted job search strategy.

    0:05:49 — Navigating Emotions in Job Search: Practical advice on building an emotional support network and the importance of taking breaks to refresh during challenging times.

    0:07:56 — Treating Job Search as Your Full-Time Job: How dedicating 4-6 hours daily and having a disciplined routine can transform your job search effectiveness.

    0:09:47 — The 3 Strategies for Multiple Job Offers: Discover the distinct approaches Shanab used, from leveraging references to making companies come to him.

    0:11:00 — Proactive LinkedIn Branding: Learn the powerful strategy of consistent posting and engagement on LinkedIn to increase your visibility and attract opportunities.

    0:22:44 — The Art of Self-Branding: Why an updated resume and a clear branding strategy are essential for selling yourself in today's market.

    This episode is packed with actionable advice for any tech professional looking to elevate their job search and achieve outstanding results, even in the toughest market.

    About Mohammed Shanab: Shanab is a Director in IT specialized in application and data integration. With a proven track record of success, he has evolved from a software engineer to an integration architect and now a senior management role, making significant contributions in streamlining integration processes and fostering a community of practice.

    Connect with Us

    • Connect with Mohammed Shanab: Shanab's LinkedIn Profile
    • Connect with Tech Talent Today host Jodi Kulek Mayer: Jodi's LinkedIn Profile
    • Visit Clearmont Technologies for IT staffing and search: ClearmontTech.com

    THANKS FOR LISTENING

    Did you enjoy this episode? If so, don't forget to subscribe and share it with a friend. See you next time on Tech Talent Today!

    Subscribe to Tech Talent Today on
    Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts

    This podcast was proudly produced in partnership with Podlad.com
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • An Unbreakable Spirit: Andrea Samson's Journey for a Life-Saving Kidney, Ep#40

    An Unbreakable Spirit: Andrea Samson's Journey for a Life-Saving Kidney, Ep#40
    Aug 18 2025
    This episode of Tech Talent Today is a little different, but it's a topic deeply personal and incredibly important to our community. We welcome Andrea Samson, the daughter of our very first guest, CIO Juliette Samson. Andrea is a first responder, an EMT, and an inspiring individual who has faced a lifelong battle with kidney disease. In 2009, she received a kidney transplant from her father, but is now once again in need of a life-saving kidney. Andrea joins us to share her story of resilience, her dedication to helping others, and how we can all come together to help her in her search for a donor. "I think one of the struggles of any chronic illness is that it tends to consume your life, not just seeing doctors, but all the medicines you have to take and all of the different things that you have to deal with every day that just maybe a normal person doesn't have to think about. So I wake up with a lot less energy. I start with about a 20% battery, and I have to make that last a whole day, and I have to be very careful about how I choose to spend my energy every single day. And with that in mind, I do have these rather ambitious goals in my life, and so I have to prioritize my health, but also find ways to keep working towards the goals that I have." - Andrea Samson You'll want to hear this episode if you are interested in… 0:01:43 — From Patient to Healer: Andrea's journey with a chronic illness and how it inspired her to become a healer, including her work as an EMT and her pursuit of a Master's in Acupuncture. 0:02:54 — The Power of Community: How connecting with patients in the back of an ambulance and finding joy in volunteer work have kept Andrea going through her health challenges. 0:07:09 — A Different Kind of Leadership: Andrea's role as a Second Lieutenant for a local emergency squad, where she manages certifications, interviews, and onboards new members. 0:09:50 — Tutoring & Mentorship: Andrea's passion for teaching and the joy she finds in helping students overcome their belief that "I can't do it". 0:11:47 — The Mystery of Eastern Medicine: Andrea's unconventional path to acupuncture and her goal of integrating it with Western medicine to improve the lifespan of organs. 0:18:36 — The Donor Process, Demystified: Andrea breaks down the process of becoming a living donor, clarifying that the donor and recipient teams are separate and that all donor expenses are covered. This episode is a testament to the power of the human spirit and an urgent call to action. We encourage all listeners to learn more about Andrea's story and consider if you might be the person to give the gift of life. About Andrea Samson: Andrea is a beautiful and ambitious young woman who, at the age of 30, is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, she has suffered with ill health throughout her young life. At the age of three, Andrea was diagnosed with MPGN kidney disease and began a battle that she still fights today. In 2009, Andrea received a kidney transplant from her father, but Andrea continues to face struggles and recently her kidney started to fail and over time it is losing its function. Despite her ongoing illness, which often kept her out of school, Andrea remained a top-performing student in high school and was ultimately accepted into a prestigious college in the northeast, where she continued to excel as an RA, Ted Talker, Private Tutor in math, and local EMT First Responder. She is currently finishing a Master's degree in Acupuncture after receiving her BS in Biology at Lafayette College. Andrea is still hoping to enter medical school upon graduating from Acupuncture School to ultimately have a practice of integrated Eastern and Western medicine. She wants to be a doctor so she can improve or help save the lives of other people who suffer from chronic and/or life-threatening diseases, as she does. Help Andrea Find a Kidney GoFundMe: A link to the GoFundMe page to support Andrea. · Direct Donation: Link to the RWJ Barnabas kidney donation form. When applying, please specify that you are donating specifically for Andrea Samson. All donor expenses are covered. · Contact Andrea's Parents: If you are considering becoming a donor, you can contact Andrea's parents at andreasparents@yahoo.com or text 908-419-0509. Learn More About Andrea Andrea's Website: Share a Spare Kidney Andrea's LinkedIn Profile: Andrea's LinkedIn Profile Connect with Us Listen to Juliette's episode: How One Woman Overcame Extreme Obstacles on the Path to CIOConnect with Tech Talent Today host Jodi Kulek Mayer: Jodi's LinkedIn ProfileVisit Clearmont Technologies for IT staffing and search: ClearmontTech.com THANKS FOR LISTENING Did you enjoy this episode? If so, don't forget to subscribe and share it with a friend. See you next time on Tech Talent Today! Subscribe to Tech Talent Today onApple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts This ...
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.