Last night, MTLC’s Tech Runs Boston community came together for a conversation on how early-career professionals can thrive in a fast-changing tech landscape. The panel, “Upskilling Now to Stay Ahead,” tackled the talent gap facing Massachusetts tech employers and shared practical strategies for building in-demand skills, leveraging AI responsibly, and shaping careers that grow with the industry.
Our expert panel included:
- Taylor Bennett, VP & Practice Director, Robert Half (Moderator)
- Robert Richards, Senior Software Development Engineer, CarGurus
- Vanessa Marshall, Senior Manager of Support, Robin
- Chaitanya Manyam, Engineering Manager, EverQuote
- Kelsey Flannery-Kuc, Digital Marketing Manager, StitchDX
Why This Matters
Massachusetts tech employers are hiring but the skills they need are evolving fast. From AI fluency to adaptability and communication, early-career professionals have a unique opportunity to close the gap and stand out.
5 Actionable Takeaways to Stay Ahead
- Land Interviews in a Hidden Job Market
- Do this soon: Attend an industry event and connect with 5 new professionals on LinkedIn.
- Pro tip: Many roles aren’t posted online—referrals and networking matter more than ever.
- Upskill with Purpose
- Start now: Pick ONE skill aligned with your target role and build a mini-project around it.
- Avoid wasted effort: Before enrolling in a course, ask: Will this skill solve a real problem for my target employer?
- Resources: FreeCodeCamp, HubSpot Academy, Google Skillshop.
- Use AI Strategically
- Rule of thumb: AI is an accelerant, not a replacement. Use it to review and brainstorm, not to skip learning.
- Checklist:
☑Does the output make sense?
☑ Can I explain why it works?
☑ Is it sustainable? - Try this: Cursor for coding, Perplexity or Copilot for research & content—but always validate.
- Stand Out Early
- Show ownership: Volunteer for one extra responsibility and share the impact.
- Communicate wins: Keep a “brag doc” of measurable contributions.
- Signal curiosity: Ask at least one “why” or “how” question in every team meeting.
- Pivoting into Tech
- First step: Build something small—don’t just read. Example: Create a portfolio site or automate a workflow.
- Network smart: DM 3 people who’ve made similar pivots and ask what worked for them.
Looking ahead
The tech industry is moving fast—but so can you. Start small, stay curious, and use AI as a tool, not a shortcut. Want more? Connect with our panelists on LinkedIn and stay tuned for MTLC’s upcoming Tech Runs Boston events to keep the conversation going.
