Mentored Minds Podcast

Mentored Minds

Sheila Alemany & Sabina Cartacio
Join Sheila and Sabina, two young, female, Hispanic computer scientists, as they discuss their experiences and insights from throughout their careers. They interview scientists, industry professionals, and more who will help you (and them) keep growing in their careers. Whether you are an incoming college freshman or a professional looking for a promotion, this podcast provides mentorship for all! Subscribe now!
Things You May Not Know About the Promotion Process (with Mark Fajet)
Sheila and Sabina chat with ML software engineer, Mark Fajet, about the promotion process in industry. He has been working in big tech companies for almost 5 years now and has learned that the promotion process isn't as smooth as he originally expected.  Topics discussed in this episode include:  What the promotion process entails⁠ How to assess yourself to make sure you meet the requirements to move to the next level⁠ How to get your manager and peers on your side to help with your promotions⁠ Some unexpected hurdles you may face during the process ⁠ Referenced resources:  Brag documents (document your accomplishments): https://jvns.ca/blog/brag-documents/ Professional Development Plan template: https://www.seoptimer.com/blog/professional-development-plan-template/
Jul 25, 2022
19 min
Is Remote Work in Big Tech Going Away? (Q&A #1)
Sheila and Sabina discuss some questions submitted by the listeners!! Some of the topics addressed include:  Existing opportunities exist for post-graduates that couldn’t land an internship during undergrad Whether remote work is here to stay Total compensation and why you should care about it Imposter syndrome How to get into a tech career (or specifically machine learning) without the classical computer science training How to ask for recommendation letters when all your classes are online Referenced resources:  2022 Major League Hackathons: https://mlh.io/seasons/2022/events Levels.fyi: https://www.levels.fyi/ Coursera: https://www.coursera.org Udacity: https://www.udacity.com/ If you have any more questions, feel free to DM us @mentoredminds on Instagram or email us at [email protected]!
May 23, 2022
33 min
All the Reasons You Should(n't) Go To Graduate School
Sheila and Sabina talk about all things graduate school. They discuss what master's and doctoral degrees entail (M.S. vs. Ph.D.) and the varying options available depending on the degree. More importantly, they discuss some reasons someone should pursue them and some cases where someone shouldn't pursue these degrees.  Follow us on instagram for more: @mentoredminds
May 2, 2022
26 min
Program Management (Everything You Need To Know!)
Sheila and Sabina chat about all things program management! For those new here, Sabina is one of our podcast co-hosts, and she has been a program manager at Microsoft for the past 2.5 years. In today’s episode, we chat about what the role entails and how it differs from other computer science roles, such as software development engineering and research roles. Check it out if you are interested in exploring what it takes to be a program manager, what their day-to-day life may look like, and how to get the skills necessary for the role!
May 25, 2021
28 min
Using Your Environment to Push Your Growth (with Tara Sibel Demren)
Sheila and Sabina talk with the inspiring Tara Sibel Demren about her journey in the startup circle and how she uses art and those around her to keep her grounded and growing. Specifically, we touch upon entrepreneurship, networking in college, imposter syndrome, using art to help with anxiety and stress, and more! Tara is currently a co-founder of a solar energy startup called Spriteful but is also an author and artist! If you enjoyed this episode, she goes into more detail in her latest book so make sure to check it out! Tara’s Website: tarasibel.com Tara’s Art Instagram Page: @tarasibelart Tara’s NEW BOOK “The Express Lane for Young Adults” (Coming Soon): expresslanebook.com
May 17, 2021
31 min
How to Ace Technical Interviews (with Mark Fajet)
Sheila and Sabina chat with the great Mark Fajet about nailing technical interviews. Specifically, they discuss some of the ambiguity around these interviews, Mark's straightforward approach to them, and helpful resources that helped him to easily and consistently ace software development technical interviews. Mark is currently a software development engineer 2 at Amazon, and in today's episode, we hear his perspective as both a successful interviewee and interviewer.  Resources from today's episode: Cracking the Coding Interview book: https://www.crackingthecodinginterview.com HackerRank Interview Preparation Kit: https://www.hackerrank.com/interview/interview-preparation-kit LeetCode Practice Problems: https://leetcode.com
Apr 26, 2021
26 min
Leading a Team/Starting a University Program (with Carolina Uribe-Gosselin)
Sheila and Sabina chat with the great Carolina Uribe-Gosselin about starting a university program. Specifically, they discuss the steps she took to her own program at her university and what she learned about leading a team towards success. Carolina is a program manager at a top tech company and co-founded a development program for students to explore their passions in tech with topics such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, website development, robotics, and more! To see more of Carolina's endeavors, check out her store on Instagram @carolinasgifts.
Apr 19, 2021
28 min
Reverse Mentoring & Finding a Great Mentor (with Rachel Kellam)
Sheila and Sabina talk with the inspiring Rachel Kellam about reverse mentoring and get insight into what to consider when looking for a great mentor. Specifically, they discuss characteristics to look for and actionable steps to find good mentors in your interest area.  Rachel is currently a program manager at top tech company and she started a reverse mentoring program during her time there. Check it out to see how she used the program to increase empathy and inclusion in the workplace and what she has learned about mentorship!
Apr 12, 2021
26 min
Improving Productivity & Motivation
Sheila and Sabina discuss three main tips they have used to maintain their productivity and increase their overall motivation during these unique COVID-19 times.
Apr 5, 2021
21 min
Sheila Gets The Fellowship! (NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program)
Sheila and Sabina chat about Sheila's recent good news regarding the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)! For those that are new here, Sheila is one of our podcast co-hosts and is currently a computer science Ph.D. student at Florida International University. Check it out to hear five great tips that she learned throughout the application process that helped her curate her successful personal statement.
Mar 29, 2021
25 min
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