C1.1 Cultivating Curiosity & Challenging Assumptions

Image of Ebony and Jazmin at a coffee shop chatting while using their laptops and a cell phone. Ebony has a coffee in a mug while Jazmin has an ice coffee in a clear container with a straw.

 Story Time!
Bridging Paths – A Dialogue Between Jazmin and Ebony
 
Setting: Jazmin and Ebony are seated in a cozy, quiet café. The early morning light filters through large windows, casting a warm glow on their corner table. They both lean in, excited to exchange ideas on technology, career journeys, and the challenges and triumphs they face.
 
Jazmin (sipping her coffee, a slight smile on her face): “You know, Ebony, it’s funny – it feels like we both ended up in tech-heavy roles, but neither of us came up in an environment that actually prepared us for it. I mean, my schools weren’t even close to teaching us the right skills. I feel like I was dragged from the analog to the digital, especially when it comes to public relations. Half the time, I’m digging through traditional media like newspapers and magazines, you know? It’s almost like rewinding to understand the new.”
 
Ebony (nodding, with a thoughtful expression): “Yeah, I get that. I mean, I remember starting out with PowerPoint in elementary school. They had us doing the basics, but even back then, I didn’t wait around. I’d try to figure things out on my own if the teacher wasn’t getting to it fast enough. I think that’s where my knack for technology really started – just teaching myself stuff because it seemed like no one else was going to, you know?”
 
Jazmin (smiling, leaning back in her chair): “Totally! You learn by doing. I feel like our educational system has kids consuming tech, but rarely creating with it. Like, they’re on iPads from the time they’re in kindergarten, but nobody’s showing them how to build with tech, let alone how to use it in a way that breaks new ground. And then, when I was studying international relations, we’d talk about digital divides, tech access in "developed" and "developing worlds." But then I’d look around and think… this digital literacy gap isn’t just global. It’s right here, within our own communities, and we’re just starting to fill it.”
 
Ebony (smiling wryly): “True, true. And that divide, it’s real. I’ve been running into the same thing at the Ivy League, too. There’s tech everywhere, but for so many folks from communities like mine, it’s all catch-up. Like… we’re supposed to use it instantly, but no one taught us how to truly harness it. When I came to work, I already knew how to use Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word from before. It wasn’t always something I used every day, but I had those skills down because, like you said, I figured it out on my own. The basics – they’re useful. But for the stuff I didn’t know, I’d either just look it up on YouTube, or ask around. It’s funny; sometimes I’ll find out about new apps just because my friends are using them.”
 
Jazmin (chuckling): “Same here. And once I find out about something, I’ll dig into the details. Like, there’s always a story behind what’s trending. I mean, TikTok? That app exploded during the pandemic, but even before that, I was like, okay, how did it rise so fast? Who’s behind it, and why’s it such a hit? And it’s not just about going viral – it’s what these apps represent, the way they pull us in. I think knowing the story, the ‘why,’ keeps you from just going along with whatever new thing comes up.”

Ebony (nodding): “Exactly. I felt the same way about Clubhouse. I mean, when it started, I was like, okay, so people are just… talking? No video, no nothing? But then everyone was on it, and it made me think – maybe the simplest ideas are what people crave. Especially during the pandemic, it was all about finding that connection, right? So, I’ll download it, and yeah, suddenly, I’m in this huge room of voices. It’s wild, but it kept me close to people during a time when we were all so far apart. That’s kind of the thing with technology – it’s always shifting and, like you said, there’s always a reason behind it.”
 
Jazmin (leaning in, thoughtfully): “It’s true. And here we are, both navigating spaces that weren’t built for us, and yet we’re pushing through. For me, it’s about rewriting narratives. So much of the digital world defaults to a white-centric perspective, and I feel like I’m on a mission to change that – I want people like us to see themselves, to feel represented. It’s a fight sometimes, to get the industry to take different narratives seriously, but that’s what keeps me going.”
 
Ebony (in agreement): “That’s the same thing driving me too. I want tech to work for communities that have been left out, and a lot of that means showing people that they can master it – that digital literacy isn’t out of reach. It’s one thing to go to an Ivy League and learn all this theory, but it’s another thing to get out there and actually teach folks in our neighborhoods how to make this stuff work for them. I want to build bridges, make it accessible. That’s what gets me up in the morning.”

Jazmin (smiling, inspired): “I knew we’d get along. We’re both bridge builders, in our own way. And I think there’s a lesson here – for people who want to bring tech into their lives and careers but feel like they’re behind or not ready. Sometimes, all you need is curiosity and the willingness to go against the grain.”
 
Ebony (grinning): “And a little bit of independence, right? Not waiting on someone else to show you the way. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you’ve got to keep moving, keep learning – whether it’s in a classroom, from a mentor, or just figuring things out as you go. You’ve got to be in control of your own growth, in tech and in life.”
 
Jazmin (nodding, raising her coffee cup as if in a toast): “Here’s to that. To owning our narratives, building bridges, and staying curious.”
 
Ebony (raising her cup too, laughing): “To keeping up with the latest – on our own terms. And making sure that when we look around, we see people like us in those digital spaces.”
 
They clink their cups and smile, each realizing they’ve found a kindred spirit. In that café, they’ve not only shared their stories but strengthened their resolve to create a digital world where everyone belongs.

Level 1 Prompts - Reflect & Write: Reflect on the following prompts and write out your responses. You will use them later on in the lesson.
Spark Curiosity & Challenge Assumptions

1. What excites you most about technology? Think about the areas or tools in tech that capture your interest. Is it storytelling through media, organizing data, creating visuals, or connecting with others?
2. When have you gone against the grain in your personal or professional life? Describe a time when you chose an unconventional path. What did you learn about yourself in that experience?
3. Who are some people you admire in tech, and why? List a few names, even if they’re unconventional figures in tech. Focus on what inspires you about their approach or story.

Cultivate Curiosity & Challenge Assumptions Through Personal Experiences

1. What topics or hobbies do you naturally gravitate toward? Think about what holds your attention outside of work. How does curiosity drive you in these areas, and what skills or knowledge could carry over to a tech setting?
2. Describe a time when you took a non-traditional path to accomplish something important to you. Reflect on what motivated you to take this path and how it impacted your view of success. What did you discover about your resourcefulness or resilience?
3. Who do you look up to outside of tech, and why? Consider people whose values, achievements, or perspectives inspire you. How might their qualities guide your own career approach?

Lesson 1: Cultivating Curiosity & Challenging Assumptions
Objective: To help participants tap into curiosity, explore unconventional career paths, and challenge assumptions about tech careers.

1. Reflect on Curiosity and Passion: Using the Level 1 prompts, answer the following questions to identify what excites you about tech, areas of natural interest, and any non-traditional paths you have explored in life or work.Who are some people you admire, inside or outside tech? Why? What excites you about technology? What topics or hobbies do you naturally gravitate toward?
2. Challenge Assumptions: Reflect on what assumptions you or others have made about tech careers. How do your unique skills or life experiences challenge these assumptions?
3. ChatGPT Prompt Generation: Using your reflections from the prompts, create a ChatGPT prompt that will help you explore ways to approach tech based on your personal interests and natural curiosity. Example: “ChatGPT, based on my interests in [list hobbies or areas of excitement] and my desire to [describe any unconventional paths], what are some tech-related careers I could explore that align with these interests?”
4. Identify Role Models: Search for women on LinkedIn or Instagram who align with your passions or have taken unconventional tech paths. Use search terms related to your interests (e.g., “creative technologist,” “digital media strategist”). Follow and note any insights or paths they have taken that resonate with you.

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​This first module will help you discover your interests and challenge any assumptions that may be limiting your path toward a career in technology. By reflecting on your passions and unique skills, you will be better prepared to identify opportunities that align with your authentic self and build a career path that fulfills you.