by Lauren DeLisa Coleman
Time for my next installment spotlighting women of color in the tech space. (For those who perhaps missed the first, be sure and click here for the profile on Google exec Bonita Stewart:
http://goo.gl/xVhLD ) Today I had the opportunity to ask Phoebe Ash of Microsoft a variety of questions. I selected Microsoft because while we may think of the tech giant in many respects, brown faces might not spring to mind when mentioning the brand. But they do exist, and it’s important that their work be recognized.
Ash is a Senior Software Design Engineer in Test for Microsoft. Use Outlook to email friends about the latest must-have hip hop track? Launch Internet Explorer to research elements for your company or small business? Then you have touched some of Ash’s work. But there’s much more to it than that, so read on while we go inside the mind behind one of Microsoft’s prominent women:
LdC: I always like to start off back in the day a bit and focus on education. I read that you attended the legendary Tuskegee?
PA: Attending Tuskegee University was almost like a dream. It was a great experience that helped me to realize I could be what I set my mind out to be. I learned right away how to sacrifice and how to work hard to reach my goals. I built strong networks, and made lifelong friends within my major, my sorority (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.) and connections just by attending this great university. I learned several lifelong lessons there and I think the most important lesson was about diversity. I learned while at Tuskegee that although we are all the same race, we come from many different backgrounds or have different interests and we may differentiate ourselves based on, i.e. your financial status, where you are from (East Coast, West Coast, Midwest or down South), your affiliations with sororities or fraternities and the like. This helped to prepare me for my career at Microsoft and to appreciate the differences in everyone.
LdC: And it seems that a work study program in which you participated while attending there was key to building your foundation in tech. But what made you actually accept that work study program when computers were not really initially on your radar as a political science major?
PA: I accepted the work study position because I thought that it would be good to learn more about computers and gain real job training. Little did I know that this would lead me down the path to my career.
LdC: So now that you’re fully entrenched in that career, what would you say is the most challenging part of your job at Microsoft?
PA: The cool thing about my job is that there are many challenging aspects, from learning new technologies, to solving a complex problem, to working with partner teams, to career planning for my direct reports. I love that there is never a dull moment and I am constantly learning.
LdC: It often seems that tech companies, particularly start-ups, try to take the color-blind approach – not wanting to talk about the diverse ratio of their staffs, etc – yet are achingly non-diverse. What are your suggestions for helping to create greater sensitivity in this industry to which, for example, the automotive, consumer packaged goods industries, etc are already a bit more sensitive?
PA: I can only speak from my experience and I think that Microsoft is sensitive in their hiring. We do a great job at searching, and looking for diverse candidates.
LdC: What advice then might you have for African-Americans pursuing tech positions (or to encourage them to pursue tech positions). Why do you find your position rewarding, for example?
PA: Experiment with technology! This is the way that I got into this field because I was passionate about technology and I was curious about what I could create. This led me to my true calling. This is a great time to experiment with technology; you can build web applications, games or mobile apps just for fun. If you are in college, take the Intro to Computer Science class, just to see if it interests you. You just may love it.
I didn’t follow a traditional path, however, I found my passion. I love what I do and I love the fact that the Microsoft culture is about continuous learning.
LdC: Aside from Queen Latifah on stage with Bill Gates a few years back, we rarely see any brown faces on popular stages/ popular panels, etc representing Microsoft. Might that change in the future?
PA: Microsoft strives to be the leader in attracting diverse talent to careers in high technology and aspires to be the model for other corporations in this field to emulate. Microsoft operates in a global marketplace competing worldwide for diverse talent and consumers alike.
LdC: Let’s jump back to you for a few moments. I read that you grew up in South Central, Los Angeles. What was it like growing up there for you?
PA: While I was growing up, I didn’t really think South Central was much different from any other place in the US. Little did I know that there were certain things that set my neighborhood apart, such as constant police surveillance, helicopters flying over my neighborhood nightly, drug addicts and gangs. I don’t want to demonize where I am from, because it helped to shape the person who I am today. From living there, I learned about hard work and I learned that nothing will be given to you in life. No one will come to your door and drop off a million dollar lottery ticket. If you want to accomplish great things in your life, you will have to work for it, regardless of what neighborhood you happen to grow up in.
LdC: Well said. To that end, I also understand that you are a part of Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) which, among many things seeks to support urban youth. What do you find most rewarding about the BAM scholarship program?
PA: I think it is great that we are raising money for African American students in the Seattle area and exposing them to Microsoft and what we do. We also educate them on the opportunity for internships and showing them the path to creating a career at Microsoft.
LdC: Great to hear. And for those who have passed the student stage; what advice might you have for readers particularly interested in working with Microsoft as employees, sponsor-seekers, marketers?
PA: Based on my experience, I think it is important to be passionate about technology, Microsoft is one of the leading software companies and we are looking for the best and the brightest in the industry. It is an honor to work with such talented people and we continuously strive to create world-class software and lead in the industry.
Thanks to Phoebe for her thoughts! Watch for my series to continue with a key exec from CA Technologies next.
Source:
http://madamenoire.com Apply now to become a staff member for Microsoft:
www.hbcuconnect.com/microsoft?src=ermoss
Posted By: How May I Help You NC
Thursday, January 17th 2013 at 4:23PM
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