When I started off my career.
Hey there TechDiva!
I am an Black Girl Engineer! A Math Girl! A Science Girl and yes you can be too!
I am aSr Manager of Systems Engineering for Verizon’s Network Systems group. I started out in the Wireless Industry in 1998 as an Radio Frequency(RF) Engineering consultant working mainly in a System Performance role; monitoring and optimizing the wireless, cell phone, network. I joined Verizon Wireless in 2012 as an RF Design Engineer responsible for designing Verizon Wireless' Northern Virginia market. After a couple of years I transitioned to Verizon Wireless’ Central Engineering team where as a Sr. RF Engineer I worked on coming up with working Standards for RF and Traffic Engineers. In addition to that my team and I put together requirements for Software Developers in Verizon’s Network Systems group to enhance or create software for RF and Traffic Engineers.
I have a BS in Mathematics and an MS in Computer Science.
Why chose a career in STEM?
To answer that question, let me share some things that I love about my job/career. I have always loved problem-solving and making things from scratch; I love gardening, baking, sewing, and generally tinkering and fixing stuff. I love that I get to be a part of building something tangible that I get to see people use every day. I love learning new things and keeping up with technological advancements, my career has allowed me to do so and be at the forefront of that. Besides being a fulfilling career, STEM careers pay very well which amongst other things is a great way to support my family and my other extracurricular activities.
I also would like to share that while STEM fields appear to be male-dominated they do not have to be. There is also not one type of cookie cutter fit or personality of a female in a STEM career. I was the type of girl that loved to play with dolls, play house, do hair and make-up, was into fashion, etc. I have a friend that is an accountant and she used to be a model and was a beauty queen. I have another friend, a Network Engineer, she does interior design as a hobby, and also yet another friend who is a software developer and does event coordination.
When I started off in my career I did not see many women where I worked doing what I did, so I actively sought female role models in the industry. Whilst working in San Antonio TX, I joined IEEE’s WIE (Women In Engineering) and worked with a team to get a San Antonio WIE section going. The closest one was in Austin and I would drive all the way there, just so that I could connect with other women in Tech. There are a lot more affinity and support organizations for women in STEM and people of color in STEM as well these days but you know what, if you see a need for one that you believe does not exist- go ahead and start a group like we did back then.
I would like to close off by sharing some encouraging words that I recently got from a female leader- as you are navigating through the STEM career that you have chosen, even if it feels challenging at first just “put one foot in front of the next and keep moving forward”.
Mercy
Sr Manager Systems Engineering - Verizon
