Women of Color in Tech
Description
Break through barriers to achieve a rewarding future in tech
Women of Color in Tech: A Blueprint for Inspiring and Mentoring the Next Generation of Technology Innovators will help you overcome the obstacles that often prevent women of color from pursuing and staying in tech careers. Contrary to popular belief, tech careers are diverse and fun-and they go far beyond just coding. This book will show you that today's tech careers are incredibly dynamic, and you'll learn how your soft skills-communication, public speaking, networking-can help you succeed in tech.
This book will guide you through the process of cultivating strong relationships and building a network that will get you were you want to be. You'll learn to identify a strong, knowledgeable support network that you can rely on for guidance or mentorship. This step is crucial in getting young women of color into tech careers and keeping them there.
- Build your professional network to get the guidance you need
- Find a mentor who understands your goals and your struggles
- Overcome negativity and stay motivated through difficult times
- Identify and develop the soft skills that you need to get ahead in tech
Read this book to help bring to life your vision of a future in tech. With practical advice and inspiring stories, you'll develop the right tools and the right mindset. Whether you're just considering going into tech or you want to take your current career to the next level, Women of Color in Tech will show you how to uncover the resources you need to succeed.
Susanne Tedrick is a technical specialist for a leading Fortune 50 technology company. Fiercely committed to increasing participation of women and people of color in STEM educational and professional opportunities, she is a career mentor for the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) Initiative and a volunteer workshop technical assistant for Black Girls Code, a non-profit that empowers girls of color to develop in-demand IT skills and prepare to advance careers in tech.
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Content
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright
- About the Author
- Acknowledgments
- Contents at a Glance
- Contents
- Foreword
- Introduction
- Chapter 1: The Current State of Women of Color in Tech
- The Realities
- What's Going On?
- Early Childhood
- Primary, Middle, and High School
- College
- The Workplace
- Why You Should Be Here
- My Journey to Tech
- It's (Slowly) Getting Better
- Support
- Number of Job Opportunities
- Pay
- It's Fun
- Opportunities to Help Others
- We Need You!
- Tech Career Misconceptions
- Tech Careers Require Constant, Hands-On Programming
- All Tech Careers Require a Four-Year Degree
- All Tech Careers Require Studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Another Specific Field
- All Tech Careers Pay a Ton of Money
- Tech Careers Exist Only at Top Tech Companies
- Tech Careers Are Only for People with Certain Backgrounds, Grades, Etc.
- Creating a Blueprint
- Summary
- Chapter 2: The Different Flavors of Tech Careers
- Business Analysis
- What They Do
- Top Skills Needed
- Educational Requirements
- For Additional Information
- Consulting
- What They Do
- Top Skills Needed
- Educational Requirements
- For Additional Information
- Computer Networking
- What They Do
- Top Skills
- Educational Requirements
- For Additional Information
- Data Science
- What They Do
- Top Skills
- Educational Requirements
- For Additional Information
- Information Security
- What They Do
- Top Skills
- Educational Requirements
- For Additional Information
- Product Management
- What They Do
- Top Skills
- Educational Requirements
- For Additional Information
- Project Management
- What They Do
- Top Skills
- Educational Requirements
- For Additional Information
- Software Development and Engineering
- What They Do
- Top Skills
- Educational Requirements
- For Additional Information
- Technical Sales
- What They Do
- Top Skills
- Educational Requirements
- For Additional Information
- Technical Support
- What They Do
- Top Skills
- Educational Requirements
- For Additional Information
- User Experience Design
- What They Do
- Top Skills
- Educational Requirements
- For Additional Information
- Web Design
- What They Do
- Top Skills
- Educational Requirements
- For Additional Information
- Where Do You Fit In?
- What Are Your Strengths and Your Weaknesses?
- What Do You Value?
- What Are Your Interests?
- Summary
- Chapter 3: Industry and Other Options
- Advertising and Marketing
- Civics and Public Interest
- Construction and Manufacturing
- Education
- Finance
- Healthcare
- The US Government
- On Your Own: Entrepreneurism
- What It Takes to Be an Entrepreneur
- Getting Started
- Research Your Market
- Write a (Solid) Business Plan
- Estimate Initial Costs
- Determine Sources of Initial Funding
- Keep Going or Stop?
- Summary
- Chapter 4: Emerging Technologies
- What Is an Emerging Technology?
- The Future of Work
- Artificial Intelligence
- The Difference Between Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning
- Why Does It Matter?
- Where Can I Learn More?
- Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality
- Why Does It Matter?
- Where Can I Learn More?
- Blockchain
- Why Does It Matter?
- Where Can I Learn More?
- Cloud Computing
- Service Models
- Deployment Models
- Why Does It Matter?
- Where Can I Learn More?
- Internet of Things
- Why Does It Matter?
- Where Can I Learn More?
- 3D Printing
- Why Does It Matter?
- Where Can I Learn More?
- Keeping Up with Technology Trends
- Information Sources
- Tools
- Summary
- Chapter 5: Building Your Network
- The Importance of Building Your Network
- Where to Network
- Mentoring
- Where to Find Mentors
- Blueprints for a Beneficial Mentoring Relationship
- You've Found a Mentor-Now What?
- Listen, This Isn't Working Out
- You Need a Sponsor, Not a Mentor
- Overcoming Social Anxiety
- Strengthening Your Connections
- Summary
- Chapter 6: Building Your Skills
- Skills Gap Analysis: Where Do You Need to Be?
- Exception 1
- Exception 2
- Formal Education (Is It Worth It?)
- Trade Schools
- Massive Online Open Courses
- Boot Camps
- Hackathons
- Conferences and Seminars
- Internships, Externships, and Co-ops
- Volunteering
- Certifications
- Do You Need Certification?
- How to Pay for Skills Training
- Loans
- Student Loans
- Personal Loans
- Credit and Charge Cards
- Use Credit Responsibly and Sparingly
- Grants and Scholarships
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Deferred Tuition Plans and Income Share Agreements
- Crowdfunding
- Summary
- Chapter 7: Demonstrating Your Skills
- Building Your Resume(s)
- Chronological
- Functional
- Combination
- What Every Resume Must Have
- The Heading
- The Body
- What You Can Leave Out
- First Impressions Matter
- Additional Tips and Resources for Resume Writing
- The Difference between LinkedIn and Your Resume
- Creating a LinkedIn Profile
- Essential Elements of a LinkedIn Profile
- Additional LinkedIn Tips
- Writing
- Online Publishing Platforms
- Academic and Professional Journals
- Public Speaking
- Public Speaking Misconceptions
- Public Speaking Basics
- Where to Find Speaking Opportunities
- Other Creative Ways to Show What You Know
- GitHub
- Personal Websites
- Building Your Interviewing Skills
- Becoming a Better Interviewee
- Summary
- Chapter 8: Job Offers and Negotiating Compensation
- A Cautionary Tale (or, Don't Do This!)
- Understanding Compensation and Salary
- Compensation
- Salary
- The Job Offer Process
- Evaluating a Job Offer
- Do You Like the Job and This Company?
- Are Your "Must Haves" Addressed?
- Is the Salary Offered Fair?
- Why Negotiate Your Job Offer?
- More of What You Want, Now
- Solidify Your Negotiation Skills
- Show Employers You Know Your Value
- There Are Few Downsides to Asking
- You May Not Get as Much Later
- You'll Hurt Your Finances in the Long Run
- Preparing to Negotiate
- Negotiation Dos and Don'ts
- You Didn't Negotiate! Is It Too Late?
- Additional Resources
- Final Thoughts-It's Okay to Want (and Ask for) Money
- Summary
- Chapter 9: When Times Get Tough
- The Need for Grit
- The Problem with "Twice as Good"
- Failure
- Impostor Syndrome
- Bias
- Tokenism and Being "The Only"
- Bullying
- Lack of Support and Help
- The Importance of Mental Health
- Allies and When They Fall Short
- The Need for Allyship
- Allies Are Human
- Summary
- Chapter 10: The Importance and Joy of Giving Back
- Why Give Back
- You Make a Difference
- Helping Others See and Know What's Possible
- Great Rewards
- Building Relationships
- Coping with a Bad Day
- You've Been in Their Shoes
- How to Give Back
- Summary
- Index
- EULA
