Navigating the Tech Industry: Strategies, Support, and Success for Black Women: A Guide for Recent Graduates

Navigating the tech industry requires resilience, strategy, and support especially for Black women. A 2021 survey conducted by Pew Research Center revealed there are only 26.7% of women making up the workforce in tech. Whereas data pulled by Zippia revealed only 4% of those roles are held by Black women.

Built By Girls recently attended the three-day tech conference Black Women Talk Tech: Roadmap to Billions out of Brooklyn, New York the event offered invaluable insights about preparing for the next steps in your tech career, while also providing resources for Black women. ‘Decode the Code’ workshop was one of the most highly attended events and designed to help you confidently start your path for a career in tech.

‘Decode the Code: Acing the Technical Interview’

The session gave practical strategies to confidently navigate technical interviews. In an interactive workshop, three industry leaders broke down the interview process into manageable steps and equipped participants with problem-solving strategies and clear communication techniques.

Meloni Boatswain, President of Atlanta Chapter of Blacks In Technology, emphasized, “Own the stage when you have it.” She explained confidence is key and often more important than expertise in making an impression at work. Boatswain advised participants to convey their ideas and abilities assertively.

A 2019 study by PHYS.org reported women are often 30% less likely to be contacted by a follow-up interview compared to men. This statistic underscores the importance of Boatswain’s message: be unwavering abilities, especially during your interviews.

Lorie Lochard, CEO of ABH IT Academy and a Software Engineer, advised that if you find yourself wrong in an interview, acknowledge the error confidently and move on. Johnson added that actively listening and engaging with the question can help avoid mistakes, demonstrating problem-solving skills that hiring managers value.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) was a prominent topic across all stages of the conference. Nyamekye Wilson, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Black Sisters in STEM emphasized the importance of building relationships. “It’s your superpower,” Wilson further noted that over 80% of tech jobs are filled by referrals. She advised securing at least one sponsor and one mentor while maintaining existing connections.

**Landing Your First Tech Job Out of College:**

1. Practice Problem-Solving: Regularly solve coding problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank. Understanding different algorithms and data structures is key. Don’t code? Practice a specific skill set and master it, then move on to the next problem.

2. Explain Your Thought Process: Clearly articulate your approach to solving problems during interviews. This demonstrates your analytical skills and helps interviewers understand your reasoning.

3. Mock Interviews: Engage in mock interviews with peers or mentors to simulate the interview environment, building confidence and identify areas for improvement.

Attending the tech conference is essential for women early in their careers. Access to industry experts, practical advice, and the opportunity to connect with hiring staff about job opportunities is abundantly present.

Summer is prime tech conference season. Below is a video recap with the top five tips to help you succeed during any conference you attend.

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Courtney Dasher (she/her) is a freelance writer with a focus on technology and entertainment news, blending technical expertise with creative flair in her reporting. To further her passion for tech, she is currently pursuing a B.S. in software engineering at Penn State University online. In addition to her tech pursuits, Courtney creates engaging lifestyle content that champions wellness, fashion, fitness, and social issues affecting the BIPOC community.