The NoDegree Podcast – No Degree Success Stories for Job Searching, Careers, and Entrepreneurship

Johnny Page shares his journey from working as a straight-commission sales rep to becoming the CEO of SaaS Academy. He talks about the importance of taking risks and learning transferable skills, as well as the mindset of treating the company as one’s own. He emphasizes the importance of taking initiative, building trust, and exhibiting leadership before earning a title. He also discusses the value of working with people and organizations that align with your values and goals. He outlines his transition from sales to leadership roles and the responsibilities that come with it.

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Jonaed interviews Khalilah KO Olokunola, a senior advisor for TalentNova and founder of Reengineering HR, about skills-first hiring and navigating the workforce for justice-impacted individuals. They discuss the challenges faced by justice-impacted individuals in finding employment, the importance of community support, the impact of Ban-the-Box policies, and the skills and certifications that justice-impacted individuals possess. They also explore the process of building confidence, the rights of justice-impacted individuals in the hiring process, and the future of fair-chance hiring. Khalilah shares insights into TalentNova, a platform that provides career tools and resources for justice-impacted individuals.

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Many people he knew struggled to pay their mountain of debt. Although Robert McGraw graduated from college, from experience, he recognized that there was a lot that was wrong with the process of deciding to go to school.

Listen in as he and Jonaed discuss his book, 12 Lies About College, and and why following your passions can sometimes work against you.

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From janitor to Cloud Architect at Microsoft, Reginald Davis’ journey shows the power of taking risks and believing in oneself.

In this episode, he talks about being an introvert and his school experience as a dyslexic kid and the support he got from his mom and teachers. Tune in as he shares practical tips he used to boost his communication skills and how AI tools like Microsoft Copilot have helped to ease the stress of writing for him. He also emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding.

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The youngest of six siblings, Olajide Omotayo‘s love for the game started at the age of nine. Years of training paid when he won the Men’s Singles at the 2019 African Games. As current Champion of African he competed in this year’s Tokyo Olympics.

Listen in as he shares his story with Jonaed.

Want to get in touch and/or support Olajide?

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 Lead Negotiator, Brandon Bramley, addresses common concerns that arise during this critical recruitment stage. Brandon and Jonaed dispel typical myths about job offer negotiation, discuss the importance of leverage, and provide insights on when and how to negotiate. They stress the importance of research, preparation, and professionalism during such discussions. They also highlight the potential for substantial increases in total compensation and the need to showcase value and advocate for oneself.

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In high school he wanted to be a rapper. And that’s what Jahmar Gale did for 10 years. But he had a plan: if he didn’t achieve the kind of lifestyle he wanted by the time he was 30, he’d get out of the entertainment industry. So that’s what he did.

Listen in as Jahmar tells Jonaed about how he:

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Ever wonder what it's like to break into the tech world without a fancy college degree? Marcus shares his journey from barely graduating high school to becoming a self-taught developer. Forget the typical route —Marcus shares how he went from dreaming about mechanical engineering to hitting up a coding bootcamp and scoring interviews with a killer resume. He dishes out real talk on what it takes to be job-ready versus just interview-ready and shares why knowing your tech stuff inside out is key. Plus, Marcus and Jonaed get into the nitty-gritty of DIY projects, leveling up your skills, and do...

Her parents weren’t worried about her education. But it’s not because they didn’t care. Alejandra Ayala is Mexican and says her immigrant parents’ main concern was to ensure they were providing a roof over their kids’ head.

Listen in as Alejandra tells Jonaed why she finally gave up on college and how an unlikely skill helped her to land jobs at places like Adobe, Disney and Google.

Get in touch and/or support Alejandra here:

Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn.<...

He got his start as an entrepreneur at the age of eight. He had a newspaper route. Today, John Viola is a successful soccer agent. This week he discusses the challenges faced and mistakes made along the way and emphasizes the importance of passion and hard work in achieving success. John also highlights the impact of AI in the soccer industry and the opportunities it presents. He shares inspiring stories of players he has represented and the satisfaction he derives from helping them achieve their dreams. John aims to pass on his knowledge and mentor aspiring soccer agents through...