Nicole

How did your career in tech unleash itself?
It was decided for me when I was younger, my father forced me to study programming, but now I’m in Cybersecurity.

What are your business and lifestyle rituals to stay ahead?
I listen to podcasts, consume online and free training sessions and subscribe to relevant knowledge sites.

What books/podcasts/network/resources do you recommend for someone trying to achieve better results within their career or entrepreneurial journey?
Too many books and podcasts options to mention, Adas list definitely for a network, free focused coaching where it’s available.

What do you believe are the most effective ways to engage other ethnicities and genders to embrace diversity?
Approaching them by showing the benefits of diverse views and perspective and debunking social myths.

What actions/decisions did you take that had the biggest impact on your career?
Improving my own biases against others, learning how to communicate and relate with a specific audience, speaking up and gaining confidence with management in a productive way and not from a victim perspective, being authentic to my beliefs and values and living them. These were all very important to me.

What advice do you want to give to black women entrepreneurs or professionals who to achieve more within the tech sector?
1. What do you think black women in tech should start doing?
Confidently connect with people from all backgrounds, speak out productively to make a change, focus on creating change instead of the lack of diversity, address our mind-sets and upbringing and how they have influenced and impacted us, gain support from men to advocate for us.

2. What do you think black women in tech should keep doing?
TLA should keep networking, supporting other women, keep working through the imbalances.

3. What do you think black women in tech should stop doing?
Victim mentality and negativity in the workplace, stop being submissive and quiet but speaking up in a meaningful way, stop apologising for everything.

If you could advise your younger self, what would you say?
Speak up sooner, stay positive, you are capable of anything!