Tracy Lee and Rob Ocel chat with Jason Torres about the challenges of breaking into tech, especially for self-taught and underrepresented developers. Jason shares his journey from a 15-year career in the film industry to pursuing software development, discussing the emotional and financial hurdles involved. They also discuss the importance of networking, finding a niche rather than mastering everything, and the impact of the tech downturn on junior developers. Chapters 1. Introduction and Tech Career Journeys (00:00 - 02:30) 2. The Struggles of Breaking Into Tech (02:31 - 06:00) 3. Jason’s Career Pivot from Film to Tech (06:01 - 10:30) 4. The Importance of Networking and Community (10:31 - 15:00) 5. Specializing vs. Being a Generalist in Tech (15:01 - 20:00) 6. Finding Your Path in Tech (20:01 - 25:30) 7. Dealing with Imposter Syndrome and Belonging (25:31 - 30:00) 8. Final Thoughts and Tips for Breaking Into Tech (30:01 - 33:00) 9. Closing Remarks and Tech Talk Humor (33:01 - End) Follow Jason Torres on Social Media Twitter: https://x.com/TasonJorres Linkeidn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejasontorres/ Sponsored by Wix Studio: https://www.wix.com/studio