Hey there!

My name is Katishna and like you I have a love for technology.  Let me tell you a bit about myself.  I’m currently a Manager of Instructional Design with Verizon. Well, what does that mean and how is it a tech position?  Glad you asked.  In my role, I design, develop and project manage technical training.  One of the things I’m well known for in my role is the translation of technical content to what I like to call human speak.  This helps others as they learn.

Hey there!

I am excited to hear that you are interested in a STEM career! The career choices are endless and the fields are always changing and growing which provide you with the opportunity to continue to learn and grow throughout your career. If you haven’t selected a particular field of study or definite career path, don’t worry, you will have many opportunities to do that in the future – and – believe it or not your career may take various different paths throughout your journey.

Hey there!

My name is Daria Drew and I work for Verizon as a Tech Expert in their Business and Government Customer Operations department. In my role I work for what is called their Wireless Enterprise Helpdesk where I provide advanced tech support to business and government customers who have advanced products and solutions provided by us. Did I ever think I would make it here? No, but I worked hard and made it happen. And I will continue to grow and encourage the black women of our society to pursue tech and other STEM fields. 

Hey there!

Sending you a cheery hello from New York! I joined Verizon 25 years ago and never imagined as a child I would have a career in tech. I started as a customer service representative and did this role of processing our customers orders online for about 3 years when I asked my supervisor to do something different. I was informed of another opportunity as a central office technician (COT) that required me to take a test for the position. I took the test and passed successfully and worked as a COT for another 2 years before deciding to apply for a management role to lead a team of COTs. The COT role involved me testing our circuits using a computer to make sure there was network connectivity end to end before we handed over the service to our customer.

Hello! 

My name is Samantha and I am currently a Data Scientist. I’ve been in my role for about 2.5 years. I started at my current company after completing my undergraduate degree in Computer Science.  Truth be told, when I first started college, I had no idea that I wanted to be a data scientist. My interest in technology was very general. I enjoyed coding and problem solving but didn’t know what career path to choose. If you’re in the same boat, no worries at all. There are so many paths to choose from, who can blame you for being unsure!

Hey there!

My name is Nirmala Karthikeyan. I grew up in India, did my Undergraduate degree in Computer Science and came to the U.S. to pursue my Masters in Information Systems. As you can tell, I have stayed pretty close to STEM in choosing my career. I would like to make a disclaimer upfront that I am not good at coding and never had a deep interest in it. What interests me is Math and problem solving.

Hey there!

I am so glad to hear that you are thinking about a career in STEM! Working in technology can be very rewarding. It can be fun, and you can learn a lot. I have worked with telecommunications for many years. I started working with home phones and the internet; working on a computer to set up accounts for service and adding features and provisioning. I created learning materials, and taught other employees how to code business trunks on the computer. Later, I took calls and assisted with troubleshooting service issues and billing questions. I am now working with wireless phones and helping customers over the phone to troubleshoot and answer their questions.

Hey there!

My name is Sydney and I’m currently a Data Scientist at Verizon. Despite this being my current career, I studied mechanical engineering in college where I had little to no coding experience! My journey through STEM has definitely been a bit non-traditional, but I consider myself lucky to have found a place where I can be both challenged in my work and supported by my peers.

Hey there!

My name is Michael Banks and I have worked at Verizon (formerly New England Telephone) for 32 years. I went to college out of high school, but didn’t graduate and therefore applied at “the phone company”. At that time we were just that, a phone company. As time went by we started offering internet service through DSL. It was a great upgrade to the dial-up internet that people were using at the time. Then years later we came out with FiOS, which was much faster internet and offered TV service as well.

Hey there!

I would like to take this time to tell you a little bit about myself and how I got started in STEM. I am a black female, first generation college graduate in my family. I have worked in the telecommunications industry for over 30 years.

Entering high school, I didn’t have clear direction or guidance on the importance of choosing high school classes that would drive towards a field of study in college and ultimately a career in technology.

Hey there!

I am so glad to hear that you are thinking about a career in STEM! Working in technology can be very rewarding. It can be fun, and you can learn a lot. I have worked with telecommunications for many years. I started working with home phones and the internet; working on a computer to set up accounts for service and adding features and provisioning. I created learning materials, and taught other employees how to code business trunks on the computer. Later, I took calls and assisted with troubleshooting service issues and billing questions. I am now working with wireless phones and helping customers over the phone to troubleshoot and answer their questions.

Hey there!

My name is Wolfe. I am a Technical Support Supervisor at Verizon. I want to encourage and applaud your choice is choosing a STEM Career. I have been in the tech industry for about 15 years. I was previously in the Navy Submarines and dealt with all kinds of Technology.

Hey there!

My name is Wolfe. I am a Technical Support Supervisor at Verizon. I want to encourage and applaud your choice is choosing a STEM Career. I have been in the tech industry for about 15 years. I was previously in the Navy Submarines and dealt with all kinds of Technology.

Hey there!

Hope all is well! As a young girl please continue with your education, whether it is college or a certain trade. As you go through life, anything is possible. Keep moving forward in your life, always look forward and don’t look back! As you go through life.

Hey there!

Very exciting that you are interested in technology and looking to further your education in STEM! This is an industry that is always changing and the future is full of potential and possibilities. It isn’t always easy either. You will likely work hard and fail at times. THIS IS OKAY! Do not let that limit you or stop you from achieving your goals. This is often necessary in order to learn and grow in whatever you do in life. This industry needs you and what you have to offer. As a woman myself in the field I can tell you that we need more girls just like you and diversity to bring fresh ideas and insight with technology. I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes regarding perseverance….

Hey there!

My name is Rose and I would like to tell you how important you are and that you matter. Your career path should be something that is a passion of yours. When you love your work it doesn’t even feel like working. You are capable of doing anything you put your mind to.

A career in any STEM field is definitely worth pursuing! STEM field work is the way of the future. Math and science, especially in a world where technology rules the world, is the best career path you can make! The job opportunities now, and in 5-15 years are going to grow exponentially.

Greeting and salutations to you. I hope you’re having a fantastic day. I would like to take the moment to congratulate you on your STEM career. Along your journey you may come across a few roadblocks such as lack of confidence, fear of failure, fear of success, perfectionism, inertia, and just plain feeling stuck. There are a few things to keep in mind if your faces with these roadblocks.

I just wanted to take a moment to share some words of encouragement on your choice to consider a STEM career. Coding is a great way to not only have a career you can enjoy but think about all of the joy you can bring to anyone/everyone using YOUR creation. I think about when I used to play video games. In the past, none of the games represented what I or my sister looked like, so we just had to imagine

My name is Rob Ricci, and I am in Charleston, SC. I am a Lead Supervisor for Verizon and wanted to take some time to give words of encouragement and support around Black Girls Code’s mission. I think this is a wonderful mission to help change the face of our technology world! I feel it’s very important to have diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our society, so thank you all so much for being part of Black Girls Code! I feel I can maybe offer some tips around school and studies.