From Aerospace Dreams to Tech Sales Triumphs: Alexis Bertholf's Journey and Personal Branding in the Digital Age

The Art of Network Engineering

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This episode was recorded on April 11, 2024.
Unlock the secrets of a successful career pivot and the art of technical storytelling with our special guest, Alexis Bertholf, a Sales Engineer at Cisco. This episode's highlight is Alexis' inspiring journey from an aspiring aerospace engineer to a thriving tech sales professional. Growing up as a first-generation college student in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Alexis pursued aerospace engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. However, a conversation with her boyfriend's uncle, a client executive at IBM, led her to discover a fulfilling career in tech sales. Alexis candidly shares the challenges and rewards of switching fields, underscoring the importance of following your passions and staying open to new opportunities.
Alexis dives deep into the realities of the solutions engineer role, emphasizing the necessity of humility, continuous learning, and the crucial skill of admitting when you don't know something. She speaks about the importance of working closely with customers to tailor solutions to their needs and leveraging the extensive resources available at a large organization like Cisco. Alexis also reflects on the shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it transformed traditional sales approaches. Her insights offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to excel in a technical sales role, highlighting the importance of adaptability and collaboration.
Finally, we explore the power of personal branding and the impact of social media in shaping a professional identity. Alexis shares her innovative approach of integrating humor and personal expression into professional spaces, particularly through TikTok memes on LinkedIn. Despite initial resistance from colleagues, her persistence paid off, resonating with an audience that appreciated her authenticity. We discuss the balance between professionalism and authenticity online, the strategies for building a digital portfolio, and the significance of creating engaging technical content. Tune in to discover how to effectively build your personal brand in the digital age and make a lasting impression in the tech industry.
More from Alexis:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digital.byte
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexisbertholf/
Twitter: https://x.com/digitalbyte_
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Kapitel

1. Art of Network Engineering Podcast Interview (00:00:00)

2. Career Pivot to Tech Sales (00:03:59)

3. Virtual SE Role Interactions (00:14:34)

4. Technical Sales Engineer Career Advice (00:21:46)

5. Professional Networking and Memes on LinkedIn (00:31:52)

6. Personal Branding for Technologists (00:37:09)

7. Technical Content Creation in the Industry (00:49:10)

8. Transitioning to Networking Careers (01:00:16)