Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the AFROTECH conference, thanks to a scholarship from the Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing at UMD. The experience was nothing short of transformative! ?? From engaging with inspiring tech leaders to connecting with professionals from companies like Salesforce, Atlassian, Microsoft, and PwC, I gained valuable insights about the tech industry and its limitless possibilities. ??? A huge thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and encouraged me along the way. AfroTech truly reinforced my passion for using technology to drive meaningful change. ???? I’m excited to apply these lessons as I continue my journey in tech. Let’s stay connected and keep building together! ?? #AfroTech2024 #DiversityInTech #TechForGood #Networking

AFROTECH 24’ was an incredible experience! I had the opportunity to meet so many amazing individuals and build meaningful connections that I know will have a lasting impact on my professional journey. The energy, innovation, and sense of community were truly inspiring. A huge thank you to the Iribe Initiative for Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing (I4C) for sponsoring me to attend this phenomenal event. I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity and am already looking forward to attending again in the future. I can’t wait to continue building powerful connections, learning from industry leaders, and growing both personally and professionally. Here’s to making waves in tech, celebrating Black excellence, and creating opportunities for the future. If we connected during the conference, feel free to reach out—let’s keep the conversation going! #AfroTech2024

This past week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend AFROTECH! It was a gathering of brilliant minds, innovative ideas, and impactful conversations at the intersection of technology and culture. The experience was truly amazing, as I connected with trailblazers in tech, learned from thought-provoking panels, and felt the power of representation in this space. This experience has fueled my passion for technology and I’m excited to bring back what I’ve learned to my studies and future endeavors. I would like to say a huge thank you to the University of Maryland’s Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing (I4C) for sponsoring this amazing journey and making this experience possible! To anyone considering attending AfroTech in the future, you don’t want to miss it! #AfroTech24 #InclusionInTech

? First AfroTech Experience = Unforgettable!? I’m beyond grateful to the University of Maryland and the Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing for sponsoring me to attend my very first AfroTech conference! This event was nothing short of transformative. Being surrounded by brilliant professionals and innovators who are making waves in tech was both inspiring and empowering. Throughout the conference, I had the chance to connect with incredible companies like ServiceNow, Oracle, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, American Express, L’Oréal, DocuSign, and so many more! ?? Learning about the innovative work they’re doing and engaging in meaningful conversations about the future of tech was a game changer for me. conversations about the future of tech was a game changer for me. Attending the networking events hosted by Google, L'Oréal, Goldman Sachs and other amazing companies was truly inspiring! Special shoutout to the amazing individuals I met from these companies you all showed me the power of representation and community in tech! I walked away with valuable insights, new opportunities, and a network of over 200 connections. AfroTech isn’t just a conference; it’s a movement. A celebration of Black excellence in tech. An open door for us to learn, connect, and dream big. Here’s to breaking barriers, building bridges, and shaping the future of technology! Thank you to everyone who made this experience unforgettable. University of Maryland Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing #AfroTech2024 #Networking #RepresentationMatters #DiversityInTech #Innovation #CareerGrowth #TechLife #UMD #IribeInitiative #FuturelsNow

Had an amazing time at AfroTech this year! ????? A huge thank you to Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing for the scholarship that made this experience possible! I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to connect with incredible recruiters, attend inspiring panels, and hear from industry leaders shaping tech's future. One of my most exciting takeaways was realizing how much creativity can thrive in the tech world. It was inspiring to see how technology opens up so many possibilities to bring new ideas to life and create real change. Beyond the sessions, connecting with so many like-minded and driven individuals was a highlight. The energy and conversations were invaluable, and I’m more excited than ever to continue my creative journey. A big thank you again to I4C for supporting this experience, and I can’t wait to carry everything I’ve learned and the new connections I’ve made into the next chapter!

I4C is in Houston, Texas, for #AfroTech2024! AfroTech is the world’s leading ecosystem for premium content and a network for Black culture and technology. Through our conference scholarship program, we sponsored 27 University of Maryland undergraduate and graduate students to attend and network with innovators and inclusive tech companies. #ConferenceTravel #Scholarship #BlackInSTEM #InclusiveTech #Computing #UMD

Let's take a look back at our October employer spotlights: Capital One, Leidos, Northrop Grumman and Peraton! - Capital One uses technology and data-driven innovation to make banking smarter and more accessible. - Leidos provides advanced solutions in critical areas like healthcare and intelligence. - Northrop Grumman develops technology and innovation in space, aeronautics and cybersecurity. - Peraton provides innovative solutions in cybersecurity, space and intelligence. Learn more about our partners, their career opportunities, and what they do to diversify their companies: https://lnkd.in/eR-5YVHq #CorporatePartners #Sponsors #OfficeHours #Industry #ThankYou

?? Incredible Experience at EY McLean! ?? Last Friday I had the privilege of visiting the EY office in McLean, VA, and it was a day filled with insights and inspiration! Here’s a detailed recap of my visit: Overview of Consulting: We kicked off with an engaging overview of the consulting landscape. EY's approach to problem-solving and their commitment to delivering valuable solutions to? their clients was particularly enlightening. It was interesting to see how they leverage a blend of industry knowledge and innovative strategies. (Lolita Hill, Monica Sagrario) Alumni Panel: Hearing from a panel of UMD alumni was a delight! They shared their unique career paths and how their experiences at EY shaped their professional journeys. Their stories underscored the importance of mentorship, networking, and pivoting in our careers. (Kelsey Edwards, CISA , Manisha Christian, Mandy Zhang, Amy Zhu, Zoe Paidas, Michelle Medina) AI and Future Use Cases: The discussion on artificial intelligence was truly eye-opening. We explored current applications of AI in consulting and discussed future use cases that could revolutionize the industry. It’s exciting to think about how technology can enhance decision-making and improve operational efficiency for clients. (Margaret Toeneboehn) Empowering Women in Tech: The emphasis on creating an inclusive environment and supporting women in their careers is crucial. It was refreshing to hear about programs designed to mentor, support and elevate female professionals in the tech space. (Ava Liberty, Seanna Adam) Office Tour: The day wrapped up with a tour of the EY office, where the collaborative and innovative atmosphere was truly inspiring! The emphasis on sustainability and employee well-being was clear throughout the office. Thank you to the EY team for such a warm welcome and for providing a platform to learn and grow. I left feeling motivated and excited about the future of consulting and the role technology will play in shaping it. A huge thank you to the RESET project for making this incredible field trip possible! Your support in organizing such valuable experiences truly makes a difference.Through career support, community building, and scholarships, I’ve seen firsthand how you’re increasing the number of BLNA women graduating in computing, which is essential for diversifying the tech workforce.Thank you for paving the way for a more equitable future in tech! Looking forward to applying these insights in my career journey! #EY #Consulting #WomenInTech #ArtificialIntelligence #OfficeTour #Networking #CareerDevelopment #Inspiration #RESETProject #DiversityInTech? #Inclusion #Empowerment #Computing

RESET Scholars took a field trip to EY to learn about technology consulting! They heard from a panel of EY employees—including cohort 1 RESET Scholar Michelle Medina—about thriving as young professionals and using AI in the workplace. Thanks to Lolita Hill and Ben Estep for coordinating this field trip for our RESET Scholars! #Scholars #FieldTrip #CareerDevelopment #ArtificialIntelligence #Consulting #WomenInTech #UMD

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Grace Hopper Celebration in Philadelphia! I want to give a huge thanks to Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing for sponsoring my experience and providing me with the opportunity to attend - I’m forever grateful and this wouldn’t have been possible without their support. Attending this conference was nothing other than incredible. I had the chance to speak with so many wonderful companies and learn more about their culture and values from their professionals. I also got the chance to attend some company post-conference networking events which really showed me how these companies value their people. Lastly, and one of the most important parts of my experience, was the connections and new friendships I made in just these three short days. I’m so grateful so have met such amazing women - Sanju Nandimalla, Meilin Yuan, Vanessa Li, Candace Sun, and many more - and my experience truly wouldn’t have been the same without you! I’m looking forward to taking all the skills and insights I gained from these experiences and applying them to my own growth, both personally and professionally. This conference has inspired me to continue learning, building connections, and striving to make a meaningful impact in the tech industry! #ghc #ghc24 #gracehopper