C1.2 Being Open-Minded in Tech Careers

Image of Tia and Dominique at a cafe using a cell phone and laptop respectively. Tia has a matcha in a paper cup with a top while Dominique has a steaming latte in a mug.

Story Time!!!
Empowering Digital Futures: Tia and Dominique's Journey from Resilience to Tech Impact
Tia leaned back in her chair, her hands cradling a warm cup of matcha. “You know,” she began, her voice animated, “I didn’t always think I’d end up where I am today. I mean, I started off as a computer science major. Thought it was the way to go. Everyone around me said, ‘Tech is the future, Tia. You gotta get into it.’” She paused, a flicker of frustration crossing her face. “But when I actually got there, it was a different story. I felt… so isolated. Barely saw anyone who looked like me. And support? Practically nonexistent.”
 
Dominique, who had been listening intently, nodded knowingly. “I get that,” she said quietly. “My path was a bit unconventional, too. I majored in Literature, believe it or not, and for a long time, I was an executive assistant. People don’t usually make the leap from reading Shakespeare to writing code.” She gave a small laugh, her voice soft yet purposeful. “But the corporate world felt… flat. I needed something more challenging, something that made me curious every day.”
 
Tia’s eyes lit up. “Curiosity! Yes, that’s exactly it. You know, when I switched to business and digital marketing, it felt like I was finally tapping into my lane. Marketing, it’s a whole different game—creative, analytical, and so empowering in a digital sense. And teaching web development at my HBCU? That’s where the magic happens for me.”
 
Dominique leaned forward, setting her latte down. “You know, teaching... that’s really special. I don’t teach, but I do mentor. And for me, I wish someone had told me earlier just how powerful self-learning and community could be. I mean, I used to organize meet-ups for Latinas in Tech. It was transformative. Watching young women walk in, unsure about pursuing a tech career, and then seeing them light up when they realized they weren’t alone? That’s what it’s about.”
 
Tia gave an enthusiastic nod. “Exactly! Community matters. And you know what? Fear holds so many of us back. I used to be terrified of not being good enough. I’d compare myself to others constantly. But I realized, we all have our lanes, you know? My lane is teaching beginners. Making things understandable. And while someone else might be designing these super-advanced systems, I’m here helping people take those first steps. We need all kinds.”
 
Dominique’s gaze softened. “I like that. Your lane, your strengths. It’s funny, because I used to feel like an imposter. Like, who was I, a Literature major, to step into tech? But I leaned into my love for problem-solving. Being a Software Engineer is about breaking problems down, seeing the creative side of code, and just… staying curious.”
 
Tia tapped the table lightly for emphasis. “Speaking of curiosity, you know what has worked for me? Being open-minded. Like, really open. Not just to new experiences but also to people. Sometimes the best advice or tech hack comes from someone you’d never expect. It’s like swimming,” she said, laughing at her own analogy. “You can’t worry about who’s lapping next to you. You have to focus on your own strokes.”
 
Dominique chuckled. “Yeah, that makes sense. And for me, I always tell women: find your community and ask questions. X is a goldmine, and so are tech meet-ups. And even if you’re an introvert like me, there are ways to learn and grow. Online communities, webinars… they help so much. It’s about being willing to reach out and learn from others. I can’t stress enough the value of just… asking.”
 
Tia’s expression grew thoughtful. “You know, that’s one thing I’d want to tell the young women we’re hoping to reach with this OER. Don’t just learn for the sake of it. Build projects. Put your knowledge to use. It’s so easy to get stuck in the cycle of learning, learning, learning without ever doing. And that’s what holds so many of us back. Analysis paralysis.”
 
Dominique pointed in agreement. “Yes! Action. I wish someone had told me that, too. It’s okay to not have it all figured out. Tech is always evolving. I mean, even now, I stay up-to-date by working on side projects and following the tech community. But it’s about taking one step at a time, not getting overwhelmed.”
 
They both paused, taking in each other’s words. Tia’s eyes shone with excitement. “You know, our paths might be different, but there’s so much overlap in what we’ve learned.”
Dominique smiled. “Yeah. It all comes down to persistence, finding your community, and never being afraid to grow. We’re proof of that.”
 
Tia raised her cup in a toast. “To empowering the next generation of women in tech. May they find their lanes, build their projects, and know they’re never alone.”
 
Dominique clinked her latte mug with Tia’s. “Here’s to that—and to staying curious.”

​Level 1 Prompts - Reflect & Write: Reflect on the following prompts and write out your responses. You will use them later on in the lesson.
Pursue Tech Careers and Uncover Hidden Possibilities Prompts
1. Being Open-Minded

1. Reflection: What unique skills, experiences, or perspectives from your current or past field could be beneficial if transferred to a tech career? Enter details about how you have applied these skills in your life.
2. Exploration: If there were no limitations, which area of technology would you be excited to explore or work in, and why? Enter as many areas that spark your interest, even if they seem unrelated to your current field.
3. Mindset: Write about a time when you approached something unfamiliar with an open mind. What did you learn from that experience, and how could you apply that same attitude to tech? Enter how you might practice open-mindedness in your tech journey.
4. Growth: If you could experiment with any tech skill without fear of failure, what would it be? Enter the tech skills that intrigue you, and explain why you’re drawn to them.

Non-Tech Related Prompts
1. Being Open-Minded

1. Life Experience: Describe a non-tech hobby or passion you have. How has it helped you develop skills or a mindset that could be valuable in a tech career? Enter details about how this experience has shaped your ability to approach challenges creatively.
2. Adaptability: Recall a time in your personal life when you had to adapt to a major change or unexpected situation. Enter how you approached it, what you learned, and how you could use that lesson when exploring new tech opportunities.
3. Perspective: What’s an experience you’ve had that changed your perspective or made you more empathetic? Enter how that experience could make you more open-minded and adaptable in a tech environment.
4. Cultural Interest: Are there cultures, languages, or traditions outside of tech that fascinate you? Enter how this curiosity and openness to learning about different cultures might help you connect with people in diverse tech communities.

​Lesson 1: Being Open-Minded in Tech Careers
Objective: Encourage individuals to reflect on their non-tech experiences and consider how these can be valuable in a tech career.
Instructions:

1. Step 1: Reflect and Respond
   Using the prompts provided under the Being Open-Minded focus:
   • Reflect on unique non-tech skills or experiences you have that could be beneficial if transferred to a tech career.
   • Describe an experience where you approached something unfamiliar with an open mind.
   • Consider non-tech hobbies or cultural interests that might make you more adaptable in tech.
2. Step 2: Generate ChatGPT Prompts
   Based on your reflections, write prompts for ChatGPT to help you explore ways to leverage your non-tech experiences in a tech career. For example:
   • “How can I use my experience in event planning to transition into project management in tech?”
   • “What tech roles would benefit from my skills in public speaking or teaching?”
3. Step 3: Research and Connect
   • Search for women on LinkedIn, Instagram, or online who have transitioned from non-tech fields into tech.
   • Use keywords like “career changer to tech” or “tech career transition.” Connect with or follow them to gain insight into their journey.
   • Write down two profiles that inspire you and note how their non-tech experiences have influenced their tech careers.