In this episode of The Bridge to Tomorrow’s Talent, host Zachary Hill (Chief of Staff at Tomorrow’s Talent) welcomes Steve Hargis, the IT Director for the City of Moreno Valley, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to keep a modern city running—and how tomorrow’s workforce can prepare to join that mission.

Steve breaks down the scope of city IT work, from telecommunications and network operations to GIS and enterprise applications. But the biggest takeaway isn’t just the tech: he emphasizes that the real differentiator is change management—helping people understand, adopt, and benefit from new tools. As he explains it, you can’t succeed by focusing only on software and hardware; you have to support the human side of technology, too.

The conversation also traces Steve’s unusual career path—from initially pursuing law, to discovering a passion for computers, to roles in private industry (including IBM and startups), and ultimately finding long-term purpose in public service. He contrasts the private sector’s profit-driven structure with the public sector’s more cooperative culture, where cities frequently share resources and solutions to serve their communities better.

A major theme of the episode is the value of internships and apprenticeships. Steve shares how Moreno Valley integrates apprentices into real work—building customer service skills, providing help desk and technical experience, exposing them to cybersecurity and networking, and encouraging them to bring fresh ideas. He notes that the program has become so successful that the city has hired former apprentices, strengthening local talent pipelines and boosting the community’s economic vitality.

Finally, Steve offers practical advice to emerging professionals: do the homework before an interview, tailor your approach to the organization, and show genuine interest. He also speaks to the growing role of AI in the workplace—encouraging new talent to learn how to use AI tools effectively (not to “fake” competency), and to pair technical growth with strong communication and customer service skills.

Bio:
Steve Hargis is the IT Director for the City of Moreno Valley, overseeing the systems and infrastructure that support safe, reliable access to city services. His work spans telecommunications, network and cloud operations, GIS, and enterprise applications, with a strong focus on helping departments navigate technology change successfully. With experience across private industry and public-sector leadership, Steve is a committed advocate for apprenticeship pathways that build both technical competency and the people-first skills essential to long-term success.

Connect Today!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowstalent/

Steve Hargis:https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-hargis-35a52328/

City of Moreno Valley: https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-moreno-valley/posts/?feedView=all

Zachary Hill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hill-0a5628219/

Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/

Show Notes:

In this episode of The Bridge to Tomorrow’s Talent, Chief of Staff Zachary Hill speaks with Tomorrow’s Talent President and CEO Ginger Ontiveros and Founder Dr. Dale Marsden about the growing disconnect between education and the real world of work. They share how Tomorrow’s Talent is building the bridge between schools and employers and why this work is essential for preparing students for meaningful careers.

Ginger and Dale explain why today’s workforce challenges require a new approach, how an intermediary helps educators and employers collaborate more effectively, and why early exposure to real work experiences is one of the strongest drivers of student engagement and confidence.

They also discuss their personal motivations for this mission, the risks of student disengagement, and the practical steps that educators, employers, and students can take right now to close the gap.

You will learn:

• Why no system takes full responsibility for student outcomes after graduation and why that needs to change

• How Tomorrow’s Talent connects education, employers, and students in a coordinated way

• How early internships and real world experiences help students discover interests and build clarity

• What educators can do today to help students prepare for in demand careers

• What students can do to explore pathways, ask better questions, and gain real experience

• Why solving this gap is critical for the future workforce and the overall health of our communities

A meaningful and energizing conversation about the future of career pathways, real world learning, and creating opportunity for the next generation.

Connect with Tomorrow’s Talent:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowstalent/

Dale Marsden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-marsden-05287756/

Ginger Ontiveros: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gkontiveros/

Zachary Hill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hill-0a5628219/

Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/

🎁 Grab your Free Churn Calculator: HERE

Show Notes:

In this episode of The Bridge to Tomorrow's Talent, host Zach Hill sits down with Cayley Vos, CEO of NetPaths Conversion Optimization, to explore how the digital landscape has evolved since the dawn of Google and what today’s emerging professionals need to know to thrive in a rapidly changing workforce.

Cayley shares his journey from geology major to building one of the early web-development and online marketing firms in 1999. He reflects on the early days of search engines, the rise of AI-powered search, and how businesses can stay visible and competitive in a world where platforms like ChatGPT are reshaping discovery.

The conversation dives into timeless career lessons for students and new professionals, including the importance of writing well, reading deeply, building foundational skills, and developing the grit to learn independently. Cayley also offers practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, from identifying real-world pain points to overcoming fear and taking action before life adds responsibilities that limit risk.

Listeners will walk away with insights on navigating modern work, leveraging AI without losing fundamental skills, and finding opportunities for growth and mentorship in today's workforce.

• The evolution of online search from pre-Google days to AI-powered engines
  
  
• How companies can stay relevant amid shifting search behaviors
  
  
• Why content needs full, conversational answers instead of keyword stuffing
  
  
• Cayley’s unconventional career journey into tech and entrepreneurship
  
  
• The role of grit, curiosity, and self-learning in professional success
  
  
• Foundational skills every young professional still must master
  
  
• Identifying business pain points and turning them into opportunities
  
  
• Entrepreneurship fears, taking risks early, and learning through failure
  
  
• How mentorship shape careers and why founders love helping driven youth
  
  
• The future of work and why core human skills still matter

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cayleyv/

X: http://x.com/cvos

Website: http://netpaths.net

Connect with Tomorrow’s Talent:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowstalent/

Dale Marsden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-marsden-05287756/

Zachary Hill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hill-0a5628219/

Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/

🎁 Grab your Free Churn Calculator: HERE