#264 Bridging the Gap: Professional Skills and Tech Industry Insights with Mark Herschberg

Prepare yourself for an enlightening exploration of the tech industry with our distinguished guest, Mark Herschberg. As a seasoned professional straddling the roles of CTO and CPO, Mark shares his vast experience in leading teams and companies of diverse sizes. You'll learn about the crucial professional skills often overlooked in academia, such as leadership, networking, and communication. Mark's unique perspective, drawn from his dual career as an educator and tech expert, provides a fresh viewpoint on the role these skills play in the tech industry. Moving from the classroom to the world of higher education, our conversation pivots to the evolving role of universities. We tackle the complexities of a university degree, the social aspects it encompasses, and the importance of networking. For tech professionals looking to expand their skill set, this discussion underscores the significance of a broad network beyond the tech field. As we delve deeper into the tech landscape, we discuss the role of a CTO and examine the concept of value delivery through understanding customer needs. You will gain insights into the rise of fractional CTOs, CMOs, and CFOs from Mark's personal experiences. The conversation then segues into the future of content delivery and thought leadership. We critique the push model of content delivery and propose an alternative pull model, to ensure content is both relevant and accessible at the right time. Our discussion concludes with a heartfelt appreciation for our listeners and an open invitation for audience participation. Whether you're an aspiring CTO, a seasoned professional or simply curious about the tech industry, this episode is packed with invaluable insights and lessons. Tune in for a conversation that promises to be both engaging and enlightening. More about Mark: Mark Herschberg is the author of The Career Toolkit: Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You and creator of the Brain Bump app. From tracking criminals and terrorists on the dark web to creating marketplaces and new authentication systems, Mark has spent his career launching and developing new ventures at startups and Fortune 500s and in academia, with over a dozen patents to his name. He helped to start the Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program, dubbed MIT’s “career success accelerator,” where he teaches annually. The Career Toolkit Website Links https://www.thecareertoolkitbook.com https://www.thecareertoolkitbook.com/resources https://www.thecareertoolkitbook.com/career-plan-questions (Career plan questions) https://www.thecareertoolkitbook.com/candidate-interview-questions (interview questions) Brain Bump app (Brain Bump app) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brainbump&hl=en_US&gl=US (Android) https://apps.apple.com/us/app/brain-bump/id1616654954 (Apple) https://brainbumpapp.com/#video (Brain Bump 90 second video) Social Media Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/hershey/ https://www.facebook.com/TheCareerToolkitBook https://www.instagram.com/thecareertoolkit