November 14, 2019 | Panel at Broadview Thomson K-8 | by Michele Amato
On Nov. 14, 40 6th, 7th and 8th grade students from the IGNITE chapter at Broadview Thomson attended an IGNITE panel presentation. We were joined by five amazing panelists, who shared their journeys to their careers in technology and answered questions from the students.
The panelists were:
- Shanell Powell, Program Manager at Microsoft
- Lamiya Kazi, Associate TechX Professional at T-Mobile
- Lori Salmonsen, Learning Experience Designer at Lighthouse eDiscovery
- Mina Shin, Software Developer Intern at Indeed
- Ariana Bray, Software Engineer Intern at Nordstrom
It was inspiring for the students to hear from women with vastly different backgrounds who have all faced significant challenges in their lives. The panelists talked about being bullied, dealing with depression, struggles in their home lives, and moving a lot and attending several different schools. They all agreed that surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people is key in getting through difficult times! Lori suggested joining a team for support, and Lamiya talked about the importance of finding a mentor. Shanell advised keeping a Vision Board with photos of things you want to do in life.
The panelists also discussed the challenges of being women - and women of color - in careers dominated by men. Lamiya talked about “imposter syndrome”, where you can do the job but feel like you don't belong because there aren't many like you. She stressed how important it is to make your voice heard as a woman. Mina shared that she is afraid to admit when she doesn’t know something, but that it ends up being helpful when she does. Ariana said that she was scared when she graduated college and had 6 interviews before finding her current job! Lori also didn’t start out in her current field and “evolved” into her job.
The students really appreciated hearing about these obstacles and that it’s okay to not have perfect grades or to not know what you want to do when you graduate. The panelists all gave meaningful advice:
Shanell: You can’t control everything that happens in life. Keep a positive outlook and don't be afraid to try something new; you never know what life has in store for you!
Lori: Don’t worry about doing everything perfectly and checking off boxes.
Lamiya: Find a mentor who helps guide you.
Mina: Ask a lot of questions!
Ariana: It’s hard to be different from your peers, but it also means you can be an inspiration. Never give up!
This was an amazing event for Broadview Thomson! Thank you to Shanell, Lori, Lamiya, Mina, and Ariana for your honesty and inspiration!