TalkTalk’s Post

Happy Friday to all my fellow Huskies! 🐾 Since graduating from the University of Washington, where I studied Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, my path has woven through roles in non-profits, talent acquisition for tech giants, and pioneering startups and entrepreneurship. Far from a direct route, each twist and turn has been driven by a steadfast passion for empowering others since day 1. Driven by my journey, I'm passionate about giving back to the UW community that shaped me. It's a privilege to join the upcoming social sciences career networking event, where UW alumni and I share our diverse experiences and insights with you—the future changes. 💜 I wouldn't be where I am today without my mentor's guidance. I remember my mentor at Amazon predicting that one day I would offer advice to others. This journey has been a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, the indispensable role of mentorship, and the need to stay true to one’s values through all career highs and lows. This event is more than networking; it's a deep dive into social sciences careers, a way to understand job market trends, and a chance to tackle post-graduation challenges. Whether you're deciding on a major, seeking career direction, or stepping into the job market, you'll encounter engaging discussions and obtain actionable insights. I firmly believe we rise by lifting others. I look forward to sharing insights, listening to your stories, and uncovering the transformative impact of social sciences together. See you at the HUB on May 1st! 💟 Click 🔗to register: https://buff.ly/3xr3mp6 #UWSeattle #HuskyPride #uwalumni #SocialScienceToTech #CareerPivot #TechLayoffsResilience #AIStartupJourney #examazonian #NavigatingTransitions #GWSS #NPOtoTech #InnovationThroughDiversity #FromAcademiaToIndustry #givebacktothecommunity #genderstudies #diversityandinclusion #mentorship #socialsciences #socialwork #jobserachandinternship #socialworkcareerpath #careertransition #jobsearch #GoDawgs #UWstudents #womenstudies #uwgraduates

Through experiential learning and hands-on programs laced with an incredible support system, lives are being transformed daily in the BlackTECH ecosystem. Our goal is to democratize information and provide access to premium tech programs for professional Immigrants to upskill & earn the salaries they deserve. Tech doesn't mean technical. Tech is a way of doing things and can transform your career and life with the right support system! 📍What area in tech will be right for me? 📍What skills and resources do I need? 📍What support is available? 📍How do I get started? 📍What is the 7-pronged Strategy? Join us to learn more about the proven strategies that have set thousands of our alums apart and empowered them to accelerate their careers>>>> Free registration: https://lnkd.in/gHfgfHHa #techcareerskills #masterclass #techadvancements #careeradvancement #careerelevation

** Nominate your Parents in Tech for a Panel ** Do you know a parent who works in tech and would like to be a panelist on "Code, Kids, and Coffee: Tech Parents Pursuing Passions Not Expectations For True Happiness" ? It's for the 1st ever DevFest 2023 on Nov 25 at downtown Vancouver (1st for GDG Burnaby) campuses of Northeastern University in Vancouver & Simon Fraser University? I'm honored to have been asked to host a panel and would welcome nominations below for diverse set of moms and dads in different tech roles who: > have made passion-led career choices or pivots that weren't necessarily aligned with what others expected > started a side hustle or a passion project > taken extended parental leave, returned earlier from parental leave (led by passion), or are only working part time in their tech roles > had been laid off and took the time to reconsider their career path to make more passion and values-aligned choices. If that's you or you know someone, please drop a comment below and I'll reach out. My thanks go out to Vaishnavi Venkata Subramanian, Rajat Dipta Biswas, Jacky T. , and finally KHRISTINE CARIÑO, DMD, PHD who's networking years ago made this possible. Want more info on the event? Follow this link: https://lnkd.in/gF75ehQX #SpeakingOpportunity #VancouverEvent #WorkingParents

I recently became more familiar with CodePath's mission and impact: providing a wide range of engineering courses and tech internship pathways to tens of thousands of college students of color. No longer being in tech myself (I have my reasons), I'm still very eager and hopeful to see racial and gender disparities in tech close (white men still hold the majority of jobs, especially in leadership roles). Tech is no longer "one industry" - it touches almost every business small to enterprise. Looking forward to how orgs such as CodePath continue to partner and guide companies in creating more equitable career mobility. 👀 🧠 🌟 What gives you hope about #tech #techcareers in 2024?

Mojisola Aramide, a first-generation student and the eldest in her family, has always carved her own path and actively pursued growth opportunities. She enrolled in the Women Techsters Bootcamp to learn the skills needed to help her transition into Software Development. Despite facing obstacles, such as struggling with project initiation and overcoming fear, her participation in the Bootcamp has been pivotal in shaping her career path. With unwavering persistence, she broke down challenges and discovered a path to success in the tech field through the Bootcamp. Mojisola did not just upskill but she also gained financial freedom as she can now provide for her family with the skills gained. She advises those embarking on a similar journey to know that "entering a tech career isn't a quick path to financial success, and the journey can be tough. Motivation may wane, but it's crucial to remember the authentic reasons for embarking on this path. Continue seeking learning opportunities, build a strong portfolio, and actively engage in project-based work to showcase skills to potential employers." Read more about Mojisola's story at the link in bio. Ready to Launch Your Tech Career? Don't miss the Women Techsters Open Day on Thursday, March 28th, 2024! This is your chance to begin your exciting tech journey. Register now at https://lnkd.in/dgAFbnDv. #TechJourney #WomenInTech #WomenTechstersBootcamp #Tech4Dev

February 15 – Lisa Gelobter Lisa Gelobter is described as a pioneer in the intersection of technology and media, but she is so multifaceted and adroit that the typical additives fall short of capturing her greatness. Lisa found her passion for Tech at Brown University, but her work traverses' sectors and disciplines, in my opinion, for two reasons.  1. She is an innate innovator. 2. She believes technology can be used to solve intractable problems.  With her mindset and perseverance, she was able to overcome numerous obstacles. Lisa's journey to earning her Computer Science degree from Brown University epitomizes strength and determination. As a low-income, black woman in a demanding field, it took Lisa 24 years to obtain her Bachelor's Degree. A testament to her unwavering resilience and formidable diligence. Over her career, Lisa has worked in the private sector and government, advancing social impact. Products she has helped develop have served over a billion people. She has worked at the White House with the Obama administration, served as Chief Digital Officer for BET, and was on the senior management team at HULU. Lisa Gelobter's contributions align with her influence in the tech world. She created the GIF format, those captivating short animations that have become a staple of social media and text messaging. She played a pivotal role in the redesign of HealthCare.gov, enhancing its functionality and user experience at a critical time for the platform.  Her work has also significantly advanced the field of computer animation, setting new standards for what's achievable in digital media. At every point of her career, Lisa consistently pushed the digital envelope, not just technologically but also socially, by addressing the needs and challenges faced by individuals from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Lisa’s definition of technology is problem-solving solving, observation, empathy, communication, and collaboration. She views technology as a means to apply these essential skills universally, to go beyond conventional boundaries.  Her journey in the tech world has been incredibly dynamic and far from over. She founded tEQuitable with the mission of creating a work culture that works for everyone.  #techpioneers #techtrailblazers #womeninengineering #blackintech

#GenZ, the most diverse and (so far) the most educated generation yet, is joining the workforce. They have made it clear that they're different from older generations: they are tech natives, problem solvers, innovators and social activists. So what are teens considering #STEM careers expecting from their future employers and the industry? And what might that mean for business practices going forward? Find out here: https://lnkd.in/ezpvBN89

👉 "Don’t be afraid of failure. I have realized that building great technology also requires a lot of patience and consistency. To get started, work on projects that interest you and always be ready to learn new skills." VentureFizz highlighted Chikezie Prosper Onungwa, Software Engineer II at Cohere Health, for their Black in Tech series, featuring the career paths and advice from Black professionals shaping and leading the tech industry. Prosper discusses how he built an #engineering career, his work at Cohere, obstacles he has had to overcome, and advice he would give to other Black professionals looking to join the tech industry.

SNEAK PEEK - introducing our NEW course - the Mid-Level Accelerator 🚀 In October, we’re launching the first-of-its-kind career accelerator for women and non-binary people working in tech! 💻 Born out of an idea from our very own Ambassadors, the programme will be open to those with 2 years of coding experience who are ready to level up to the next stage in their career. We'll be revealing more over the coming weeks 👀 Questions? Don’t worry, we’ll be sharing a Q&A next week and you can find out more information on our website link below in the comments 👇 #CodeFirstGirls #DiversityInTech #WomenInTech #Upskill #CareerAccelerator

What can I say? Afrotech23 was amazing! I am grateful to God for the opportunity to have been able to go to Afrotech, especially as this is my first major conference ever as a freshman. Throughout the conference, I made it a focus to immerse myself in this educative experience aimed at my professional development. As I reflected on my time at Afrotech, many lessons stood out to me, and here are a few: **Your Network is Your Networth: Who do YOU know? WHO knows you? Building those communication skills and interpersonal relationships is vital. Coming to this conference allowed me to strike up conversations with other black professionals and students in tech, learning from them, providing value to them, and staying connected for future opportunities. **Invest in Your Professional Development: In our ever-changing world, the only thing that can keep us relevant in whatever industry we find ourselves in--especially in tech-- is a never-ending desire to learn. Keep learning! **Be Unique: In a discussion with Timothy Hykes, one of the main takeaways I had was the power of uniqueness. It becomes boring and cliche in the hiring process of many companies as the recruiters review an ocean of resumes, most looking so similar in skillset and arrangement. Uniqueness comes in, particularly in extracurriculars (by which I mean other engagements besides your profession) to help differentiate the good from the best. Whether it's running a small business, a nonprofit org, community involvement, side projects, or even having a different perspective--they will all come together to set you apart. Be different. **Don't Do It Alone, Submit to a Mentor: In my opinion, subscribing to mentorship allows for accelerated growth, grants access to networks beyond your present level, and reduces the possibility of errors that would have come by trial and error. Have a mentor! **Be Physically Fit: I'm not gonna lie, walking around the Convention Center for close to 6 hours is no joke. If you intend to spend all your time networking and talking to recruiters, save yourself by wearing comfy shoes. **Document the experience: From talking to recruiters to attending workshops, every bit of wisdom doled out should be recorded. They will help you to know what action steps to take going forward and they will help you talk about your experience at events like this (like I'm doing right now!). Overall, I had a blast at Afrotech. Thank you Jason‎‎‏‏‎  Antwi-Appah for helping me get tickets to Afrotech this year. Thank you Tiwalade Adeniji-Adele, MS, BS, SAFe6, PMP, CSM for your mentorship and guidance in helping me overcome my fears and challenge myself to be here at Afrotech. Thank you AFROTECH for making this opportunity available. Till next time...