BLACK WOMEN IN TECH

I moved to the United States from Cameroon in 2011 and enrolled at the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) that same year. In 2014, I graduated with my Bachelor of Science degree with a major in  Cybersecurity and a minor in Homeland Security. That same year after graduation, I immediately enrolled in their master’s program and in 2016, I graduated with my Masters of Science in Cyber Security.

Now what? 

After I earned my Bachelor’s degree, I started looking for jobs in the Cyber Security field but my efforts turned fragile, as 1 year later (while in school for my Master’s degree and working as a banker at PNC bank) I was unable to get a job due to my lack of experience and expertise in the technology field. I applied for several Entry Level IT Specialists positions in big Technology companies like Verizon, AT&T and even Bank of America and had several interviews but no job offers.

Two years into master’s degree and preparing for graduation with no job offers in the Tech field. During my master’s program, I remember there were only two females in my classes including me. In a world mostly ruled by men, I was at a crossroad and started asking myself many questions: Did I make the right choice? Am I good enough for a job in the Tech field? Should I have done nursing like my friends from Cameroon and my mom’s friends from Cameroon advised? What does my future enfold? I trusted God and I knew he had sent me here for the right reasons.

Mind you, all the male classmates already had jobs in the Tech field and were obtaining their Master’s degree so they can be competitive at the job and get a better pay. Also, their expenses were covered by their respective companies.

I never gave up and I kept submitting applications even on my graduation day. After my graduation, I updated my resume to reflect my new earned degree and that was when my story changed. I submitted several applications with my updated resume and was getting more phone calls for interviews. I then got a call from Deloitte and Freddie Mac for a job interview. I interviewed at both locations in Virginia. The Freddie Mac interview consisted of  a phone and a face interview, while Deloitte was a phone interview and a face to face panel interview. I survived both interview sessions and God be praised I got my first job offers from both companies on the same day. 

God is incredible, one time I couldn’t get any job offers and now I had two very good job offers with one of the big four consulting firms. I prayed about it and after much thought, I accepted Deloitte’s offer and started my first job as a black woman in the Tech field. It was the beginning of many more to come, it was a step towards my dream and a step towards the challenges I will face in the corporate world.

I was assigned my first project as an IT consultant at the Department of Health and Human Services and on my first day at my job (after training) I was greeted by the best wholesome team I could ever ask for and that was when I knew I was in the right place. I knew I had made the right decision to pursue a degree in Cyber Security as a minority. There were three leaders in my team and they were all women (Dipti, Natalie, and Andrea). They were one of the most hardworking, empowering, and smart women I have ever met.

We had a great working relationship for two years; I got the chance to learn and grow from them. They gave me all the support and the materials I needed to grow, and they promoted a friendly environment. Two years later, the contract ended, and I got my second contract at the Department of Treasury. 

I spent my last year at Deloitte here where I worked under another smart, and empowering lady Toni. I also got a promotion and became a senior consultant. Three years after my master’s degree, I can say I was doing well. It was a very competitive field, but I must say I was up for the challenge because I learnt from the best women in the field. I then realized that even though black women in the Tech field are outnumbered, we make a difference, and we are doing it with some pride. I mean, how does it feel thriving in a field that is mostly dominated by men? Pretty impressive I must say.

In 2019, after three (3) whole years and getting a promotion to a senior consultant position, I  submitted my resignation at Deloitte.

What next?