Redefining Tech Careers: Data Centers, AI, and Inclusivity with Carrie Goetz, CTO, StategITcom

On this episode of the Convergence Podcast, Ashok sits down with industry trailblazer, bestselling author and CTO of StategITcom Carrie Goetz to discuss her mission to diversify the tech landscape through accessible career paths in the data center field. Known for her work advocating for women, veterans, and tradespeople, Carrie shares her personal journey and passion for helping underrepresented groups establish thriving careers in tech. Together, they explore the importance of diversity in the tech industry, the benefits of certifications over traditional degrees, and the shifting dynamics of cloud and in-house data centers in light of AI's rapid advancement. Carrie also explains the evolving demands within the data center industry as companies face new challenges in power, sustainability, and latency driven by AI and machine learning. Her perspective on the AI-driven future of tech, critical thinking, and responsible computing makes this episode a must-listen for anyone curious about building more inclusive and adaptable teams in a changing digital landscape. Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Success Lab workshop to gain clarity and confidence in tackling any product design or engineering challenge. Inside the episode… • Carrie's mission to diversify tech by opening career paths in data centers for women, veterans, and tradespeople • How certifications and apprenticeships create accessible alternatives to traditional education • AI's role in shaping data center demand and why generative AI is driving companies to rethink cloud and local data storage • Key factors in evaluating whether to use cloud or on-premise data centers in modern enterprises • Carrie's insights on sustainability in tech and the environmental impacts of data center energy use • The critical need for education in critical thinking and responsible digital practices • How diverse voices in tech create more inclusive, effective solutions for everyone Mentioned in this episode • Carrie's books on datacenters for experts and beginners. Find out more at carriegoetz.com Subscribe to the Convergence podcast wherever you get podcasts, including video episodes on YouTube at youtube.com/@convergencefmpodcast. Learn something? Give us a 5-star review and like the podcast on YouTube. It's how we grow!