I gave an interview about my experience as a Samoan women of color working in Tech. You can read the full on their website www.peopleofcolorintech.com; below is a short excerpt from the Q&A.
Tell us about yourself and what you do.
As a woman of color, and as a first-generation Samoan woman, where I would go ‘next’–after high school or college–wasn’t always so perspicuous. I never thought I’d end up in Tech. Growing up I didn’t have access to a computer at home; as one of eight I also didn’t have a lot of space I could call my own. So, I found solace in things that didn’t require either: books and journals. Because of that, I decided to pursue a degree in journalism when I left for college.
In college, my love for storytelling move from paper to canvas, and I received my BFA in Fine Art. Fast forward to today, I still tell stories, they are just more interactive. As a Product Designer, it’s my job to tell a good story; whether I’m pitching an idea, or creating an experience, I’m always thinking about how the story unfolds for the end-user.
What is your experience being a POC in Tech?
Living in San Francisco and working in Tech I am often the only Pacific Islander in the room, if not in the entire building. That in itself can feel very isolating. Over the years, I have learned to see it as an opportunity to educate my peers about my culture and use my seniority/privilege to advocate for women and POC in more associate roles.
What advice would you give to a young person who wanted to enter Tech?
Talk to someone doing what you want to do; learn about their process: how they got started, mistakes they made.
