Episode 6: Solutions Engineering 101 + FAQs

Episode 6: Solutions Engineering 101 + FAQs

In this episode, I’m answering the most common questions I get about SE/SC roles — from what the job actually is, to what a typical day looks like, to how to break in from a nontraditional background. I'll be covering: * SE vs SC vs Sales Engineer: is there a difference? * What SEs actually do (hint: it’s not closing deals or writing production code) * Why technical storytelling matters more than ever * Real talk on coding expectations, AE partnerships, and role variation Whether you’re brand new to the field or a seasoned SE who’s tired of explaining your job at parties, this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen now and send in your own SE questions for a future listener Q&A episode! Connect with me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/savannahforeman]

Episode 5: Storytelling That Wins Deals

In this episode, I break down the exact storytelling frameworks I shared at DemoFest 2025 and how you can apply them in real presales conversations. I'll cover: – Why storytelling isn’t "extra," it’s how you win deals – The difference between product-led and buyer-led demos – Three simple frameworks you can actually use (and when to use them) – A real-world narrative breakdown featuring a fictional buyer persona Whether you’re running a first call, a business case workshop, or prepping for a POC, this episode will help you build stories that move deals forward. 🎧 Listen now, or check out the full DemoFest presentation in my LinkedIn post [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7323370456290316288/]. 📌 Resources mentioned: → Download the Storytelling Framework Worksheet [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1d5JI4XVsOvEM0qOFmSv5WmZG_ormNLDp6011hSce_Jk/edit?usp=sharing] → Connect with me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/savannahforeman/]

Mini Episode: The 5-Minute Reset – A Guided Meditation for Tech Professionals

Even while I’m on vacation this week, I wanted to leave you with something that feels supportive, especially if you’ve been feeling burnt out recently. This mini episode is a short guided meditation for tech professionals navigating high-pressure roles: SEs, AEs, CS folks, engineering, enablement, product, and anyone else out there who’s been stuck in back-to-back meetings for too long. Together, we’ll: • Slow down and reset your nervous system • Let go of pressure to always be “on” • Remember that rest is a skill, and it’s one worth practicing If you’ve been needing a few quiet minutes to yourself, this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/49FvznuxJYAptYgmwIGSiS?si=4b1e4bcb35db44ab 🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/savannahforeman [http://linkedin.com/in/savannahforeman]

Episode 4: My Demo Interview Projects from the SE Job Search

During my job search, I didn’t just send out resumes. I built real projects that helped me grow as an SE, sharpen my storytelling, and find joy in the process again. In this episode, I’m walking through three of those builds: * A Shopify-style storefront with a custom CMS integration * A POC with a custom locale picker in Builder.io * A pieced-together commercetools demo that still told the right story You’ll hear what worked, what didn’t, and what I learned about staying grounded when things go sideways. I’m also sharing a preview of my next project I’m building in my new role at UserTesting that blends storytelling with real customer feedback. 🎧 Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/49FvznuxJYAptYgmwIGSiS?si=0bb196704b074b61] 📹 Watch the Builder.io POC walkthrough 🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/in/savannahforeman]

Episode 3: Inside The Solutions Engineering Job Search

ABOUT THE EPISODE What does it really take to land a Solutions Engineer job in 2025? In this episode of The SEssions with Savannah, I’m pulling back the curtain on my entire 3-month job search, from the cold outreach and custom demos to the amount of interviews it took to land an offer. I’m breaking down: * The exact numbers (yep, I tracked everything) * The patterns I saw across 16 different companies * What actually worked (and what definitely didn’t) * The emotional toll of nonstop interviews after a layoff * And the one shift that changed everything for me If you’re an SE navigating your own search, wondering if the process is supposed to feel this chaotic, this one’s for you. 👀 Plus: A soft reveal about what’s next for me… 🔗 Resources & Links: * Solutions Engineer Interview Prep Guide [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A6_r7NyI6yuiWu7PrLmYZDw48Q3Ty1Hk7iDiVPGqfWI/edit?usp=sharing] * Connect with me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/savannahforeman/] * Follow The SEssions with Savannah on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/49FvznuxJYAptYgmwIGSiS?si=762192b2c37749cd] * Got thoughts, rants, or stories from your own SE interviews? DM me. 🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a rating if this episode made you feel a little more seen. #solutionsengineering #presales #jobsearch #techhiring #truthintech #podcast