Education: He is helping individuals enter high-paying tech careers (UX design and AI) without a traditional four-year degree.

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Recorded06 Jul 2026

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Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Everett Swain. 🔷 Interview Summary Everett Swain, founder of UXD Academy, discusses how he is helping individuals—especially underserved communities—enter high-paying tech careers (UX design and AI) without a traditional four-year degree. The conversation centers on: AI as both a threat and opportunity Alternative education pathways (certifications vs degrees) Breaking barriers in tech through accessible training Building practical, job-ready skills quickly Empowering individuals to change their financial trajectory Swain’s approach blends self-learning, portfolio-based skills, and real-world application to create career opportunities. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview 1. Expand awareness of non-traditional education paths Show that high-income careers are accessible without college degrees Promote certifications, portfolios, and practical skills 2. Reframe AI as an opportunity Help listeners understand how AI can create jobs, not just remove them 3. Inspire career transformation Target people: Struggling financially Stuck in low-wage jobs Looking for a career pivot 4. Bridge opportunity gaps Focus on helping: Underserved communities People without access to formal education 5. Provide actionable entry points Direct listeners to: Free resources Self-learning paths UXD Academy 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. AI is both a disruptor and an enabler Two approaches: Replace workers Amplify workers’ productivity [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt] 2. Degrees are becoming less important in tech Over 40% of tech companies prioritize skills over degrees [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt] Real hiring focus: Portfolio Demonstrated ability 3. Skills can be self-taught Swain learned through: YouTube Online resources Practice This model is replicable for others 4. Portfolio > credentials Employers want proof of skill: Projects Real-world work This levels the playing field 5. Fast income growth is possible Swain’s trajectory: $75K → $105K → $140K within a few years [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt] Demonstrates rapid upward mobility in tech 6. Accessibility is key to opportunity Training can be done: On a phone Without expensive tools Removes traditional barriers 7. Learn-by-doing model works best UXD Academy combines: Training Real client projects Apprenticeships 8. AI tools require minimal technical background No-code and low-code tools allow: Beginners to build apps, bots, workflows quickly 9. Small businesses are the biggest AI opportunity AI can help: Automate operations Improve efficiency Scale growth 10. Traditional education is slow to adapt Colleges struggle to keep up with: Rapid tech changes Agile programs like UXD Academy fill this gap 11. Mindset shift is essential Success requires: Initiative Discipline Self-learning 12. Exposure creates opportunity Many people don’t pursue tech careers because: They don’t know they exist Awareness is the first step 💬 Notable Quotes On AI’s dual impact “Companies are either using AI to replace people or to amplify their people.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt] On degrees vs skills “Over 40% of tech companies do not care about degrees anymore… they care about your portfolio.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt] On education alternatives “You can become an AI designer… without a degree.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt] On learning path “YouTube, Google, and books taught me everything I know.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt] On AI functionality “AI is like the smartest intern you know—you can train it to work for you.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt] On opportunity “You can change your life in under a year and a half.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt] On discipline “From five to 2 a.m., I was learning, building, and redoing my portfolio.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt] On mission “I want people to realize they can create their own reality with this.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt] On urgency “AI is our opportunity… we have to get on the ball.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt] 🧭 Bottom Line Everett Swain’s message is a blueprint for modern career access in the AI economy: Skills beat degrees Self-learning is powerful AI is a career lever, not just a threat Execution (portfolio) matters more than theory Opportunity is available—but requires action 👉 His core philosophy:With the right skills, discipline, and access to knowledge, anyone can break into high-income tech careers—without traditional barriers. #SHMS #BEST #STRAWSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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