Welcome to this week's inspiring episode of The Power of Owning Your Career podcast. Today, we're thrilled to welcome Matt Stephenson, the CEO and co-founder of Code to College. Based in Austin, Texas, Code to College is making a powerful impact by creating a national network of diverse college-going technical talent. Their mission? To empower high school students, primarily Black, Brown, and girls, by developing vital coding and professional skills through a skills-based, volunteer-driven program. These students gain invaluable exposure to STEM industries through case competitions, workshops, and mentorships.

Matt shares his journey in our conversation, from discovering coding in college to founding Code to College. He discusses the pivotal moments and influences that shaped his career path, emphasizing the importance of education, community, and the power of saying "yes" to opportunities.

Tune in as Matt reveals his insightful perspectives on owning your career, the transformative power of building a supportive network, and his vision for expanding this impactful initiative. Whether you are in an exploratory phase of your career or simply seeking inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable life lessons and encouragement to help you take charge of your professional journey.

A Time Stamp of The Show:

00:00 "How Tech Skills Transformed My Life"

05:16 Immigrant Family's Pursuit of Opportunity

07:36 "Unexpected Journey to Fulfillment"

12:50 Teaching: The Toughest Job of All

15:39 Travel, Plan, and Stay Open

19:56 "Books, Podcasts, and Networking"

20:56 Build and Value Your Network

24:15 "Importance of Following Up"

27:32 Career Empowerment with Matt Stephenson

Resources shared by Matt:

• Books:
  • Thinking Strategically
  • Give and Take

Connect with our guest, Matt Stephenson, at

https://code2college.org

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcstephenson/

Connect with the show's host, Simone E. Morris, at https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonemorris/.

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit

bit.ly/pooycshowguest

✴️ Get More Support for Your Career:

🟢 Get Simone's Book, The Power of Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/3xlYyl6)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, 52 Tips for Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/43JTV03)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, Achievement Unlocked: Strategies to Set Goals and Manifest Them (https://bit.ly/3TD8rlD)

🟢 Book a complimentary coaching exploration call with Simone at https://www.careerbreakthroughcall.com