Navigating Rejection and Recognition in the IT World: A Personal Journey

In this special 'Coaching in the Car' edition of 'How to Thrive in IT,' D.J. tackles the emotionally charged topic of dealing with rejection and feeling ignored within the IT industry.

Sharing personal experiences, including his own repeated rejection from the Citrix Technology Professionals Program, the host delves into why contributions often go unnoticed.

He discusses the challenges of getting recognized in a noisy online world and offers strategies for making impactful contributions, such as solving common problems and finding advocates who can tell your story.

The episode also highlights the importance of reviews and feedback in validating one's work and encourages listeners to advocate for others to foster a more supportive professional environment.

Important Links:

• Connect with D.J. on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/djeshelman
• Resource of the Week: Download D.J.'s Risks and Recommendations Template Worksheet! https://thrive -it.com/risksheet
• Leave a Review of Just Do THIS! Goodreads: https://it.justdothis.net/good Amazon (even if you bought it directly from me): https://it.justdothis.net/USreview
• Don't have Just Do THIS yet? Here's the first part free: https://thrive-it.com/JDTPC1

00:00 Introduction: Thriving in IT

00:55 Addressing Emotional Challenges

01:33 Feeling Ignored and Rejected

03:33 Resource of the Week: Risks and Recommendations Spreadsheet

04:59 The Reality of Marketing in IT

07:21 Creating Impactful Content

10:51 Advocacy and Recognition

15:03 Conclusion and Call to Action

(stay tuned for a special song at the end of the episode!)

Escaping the IT Crab Bucket: 7 Tips for Overcoming Workplace Toxicity

In this episode of the 'How to Thrive in IT' podcast, host DJ Eshelman discusses the pervasive problem of toxicity in IT workplaces, which he likens to crabs in a bucket pulling each other down. DJ provides seven actionable tips to navigate and survive these environments, including setting boundaries, avoiding gossip, documenting incidents, keeping lines of communication open, and knowing when it’s time to consider leaving.

Additionally, DJ shares insights from his upcoming book, which is a novel set in a toxic IT department of a healthcare company. The episode offers practical advice on how to maintain professional well-being and thrive in challenging IT work environments.

Resource Links:

• Goal Setting Playlist (YouTube)
• Book a call with DJ
• Complete a Survey - Name Your Price on a Hardcover
• ButcherBox

00:00 Introduction to the Crab Bucket Problem

00:12 Welcome to the Podcast

01:01 Understanding Workplace Toxicity

02:46 Tips to Overcome Toxic Environments

05:53 The Importance of Boundaries

09:53 Building a Support System

13:16 Documenting Incidents

20:16 Keeping Communication Open

24:22 Self-Care and Health

27:32 Investing in Yourself

31:39 Resource of the Week: ButcherBox

33:39 Knowing When to Move On

39:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Enjoy the "Escape the Crab Bucket" song - download it here!

In this episode of 'How to Thrive in I.T.', host D.J. Eshelman delves into End User Computing (EUC) and its importance as an option for IT careers. Emphasizing that EUC is not ideal for career starters, he explains the necessary skills, including understanding technologies like Active Directory, hypervisors, cloud services, and networking. The episode includes insights on a forthcoming Virtual Expo and a promotional segment for D.J.'s 'Be A Citrix Hero' program. Real-world examples underscore the value of an integrated knowledge base in achieving success in EUC.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:23 Why EUC is Still Relevant

02:35 Skills Needed for Success in EUC

04:45 Real-World Examples and Tips

07:46 Resource of the Week: Virtual Expo

10:24 Episode Sponsor: Be A Citrix Hero

12:21 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

13:04 Conclusion and Call to Action

Not one... but TWO songs for this episode. Enjoy!