Andre Johnson joins his Merit America coach, Anja Nikolic, to talk about turning an unexpected layoff after 25 years in healthcare IT into an opportunity to rethink his career direction. Faced with uncertainty, Andre chose to lean into emerging technology, exploring cybersecurity and AI while continuing to build his skills, which led him to a new role. He shares how he used AI to identify roles that aligned with his experience and long-term goals, how everyday conversations and networking opened unexpected doors, and why staying patient and knowing your worth can make all the difference. Andre’s story is a reminder that a setback doesn’t have to be the end of the road—it can be a redirection toward a new career path.

Learn more about Merit America here

CREDITS:

Host: Anja Nikolic

Guest: Andre Johnson

Creative Directors: Brittany Davis-Green, Anne Keenan

Executive Producer: Deshani Semaan

Created by Merit America

 

This is a Maed in India production

Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Producer: Rachna Sukuru

Junior Producer: Aditi Sutar

Director and Video Producer: Jishnu Guha

Sound Editor & Mix Engineer: Nihar Temkar, Kartik Kulkarni

Support Merit America here

Andre Johnson joins his Merit America coach, Anja Nikolic, to talk about turning an unexpected layoff after 25 years in healthcare IT into an opportunity to rethink his career direction. Faced with uncertainty, Andre chose to lean into emerging technology, exploring cybersecurity and AI while continuing to build his skills, which led him to a new role. He shares how he used AI to identify roles that aligned with his experience and long-term goals, how everyday conversations and networking opened unexpected doors, and why staying patient and knowing your worth can make all the difference. Andre&rsquo;s story is a reminder that a setback doesn&rsquo;t have to be the end of the road&mdash;it can be a redirection toward a new career path.
Learn more about Merit America <a href="https://meritamerica.org/promoted-podcast/">here</a>
CREDITS:
Host: Anja Nikolic
Guest: Andre Johnson
Creative Directors: Brittany Davis-Green, Anne Keenan
Executive Producer: Deshani Semaan
Created by Merit America
&nbsp;
This is a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.maedinindia.in/">Maed in India</a> production
Head of Production: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en">Mae Mariyam Thomas</a>
Project Manager: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome">Shaun Fanthome</a>
Producer: Rachna Sukuru
Junior Producer: Aditi Sutar
Director and Video Producer: Jishnu Guha
Sound Editor &amp; Mix Engineer: Nihar Temkar, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en">Kartik Kulkarni</a>
Support Merit America <a href="https://meritamerica.org/our-supporters/">here</a>

Promoted is a podcast about how to leave low-wage work for good, produced by Merit America, a national workforce development nonprofit that creates fast, flexible pathways to family-sustaining  careers for Americans stuck in low-wage jobs. In this season, Merit America’s career coaches chat with their former learners about their new roles—and how they used AI as a tool to build skills, navigate career transitions, prepare for job interviews, and move toward careers they love. Along the way, you’ll learn how you can leave low-wage work for good, too.

Promoted is a podcast about how to leave low-wage work for good, produced by Merit America, a national workforce development nonprofit that creates fast, flexible pathways to family-sustaining &nbsp;careers for Americans stuck in low-wage jobs. In this season, Merit America&rsquo;s career coaches chat with their former learners about their new roles&mdash;and how they used AI as a tool to build skills, navigate career transitions, prepare for job interviews, and move toward careers they love. Along the way, you&rsquo;ll learn how you can leave low-wage work for good, too.