Information Technology – Cam's Tech Blog

Posted on June 7, 2024June 2, 2024 by Cam

“Insecure”: A Relatable Portrayal of Black Women’s Experiences

The critically acclaimed show “Insecure” has resonated with many viewers, particularly black women, for its authentic and nuanced representation of their lives and experiences. Created by Issa Rae, the show has been praised for its ability to shed light on the multifaceted struggles and triumphs of black women navigating various aspects of life, including their careers.

Reflecting Real-Life Challenges

From the very first season, “Insecure” captured the relatable struggles faced by the main character, Issa, in her professional life. Her experiences at the non-profit job, such as financial struggles, a toxic work environment, and a sense of not belonging, struck a chord with many viewers who have encountered similar challenges in their own careers.

As the show progressed, Issa’s journey became even more resonant, showcasing the complexities and stereotypes that black women often face in the workplace. The show’s ability to depict these experiences with honesty and authenticity has been widely appreciated by audiences who have felt seen and understood.

Celebrating Black Women’s Resilience and Entrepreneurship

One of the most empowering aspects of “Insecure” is its portrayal of Issa’s growth and transformation into a boss woman and entrepreneur. After facing disappointments and setbacks in her career, Issa’s journey towards entrepreneurship serves as an inspiring representation of black women’s resilience and determination to forge their own paths.

The show’s use of Issa’s inner monologues and imagined scenarios, where she talks to herself in the mirror or envisions situations, adds a layer of relatability and vulnerability, allowing viewers to connect with her thought processes and self-reflections.

Shattering Stereotypes and Promoting Representation

“Insecure” has been widely praised for its ability to shatter stereotypes and provide a nuanced representation of black women’s experiences. By showcasing the diverse career paths and personal journeys of the four main characters, who are all college-educated black women, the show challenges the narrow and often negative portrayals of black women in media.

The show’s success and resonance with audiences highlight the importance of diverse storytelling and representation in the entertainment industry. By giving a platform to authentic narratives that reflect the complexities and multidimensionality of black women’s lives, “Insecure” has become a cultural touchstone and a source of pride for many viewers who see themselves reflected on screen.

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Posted on June 3, 2024June 2, 2024 by Cam

Embracing Women in the Tech Industry

The tech industry has historically been male-dominated, and women have faced numerous challenges in pursuing careers in this field. However, embracing diversity and creating an inclusive environment for women can bring immense benefits to organizations and the industry as a whole. Here are some ways to embrace and support women in the tech industry:

1. Promote Equal Opportunities and Fair Compensation

Ensure that women are given equal opportunities for hiring, promotions, and career advancement. Implement transparent and unbiased compensation practices, ensuring that women receive fair and equitable salaries for their work, without any discrimination based on gender.

2. Foster an Inclusive and Supportive Culture

Cultivate a workplace culture that values diversity, respect, and inclusivity. Encourage open communication, provide mentorship programs, and create support networks for women in tech. Address and eliminate any instances of discrimination, harassment, or insensitive behavior towards women in the workplace.

3. Encourage Leadership and Representation

Actively promote and support women in leadership roles within the organization. Provide opportunities for women to take on challenging projects, lead teams, and contribute to decision-making processes. Increased representation of women in leadership positions can inspire and empower other women to pursue careers in tech.

4. Offer Flexible Work Arrangements

Recognize that women often juggle multiple responsibilities, such as caregiving duties or family obligations. Offer flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options, flexible schedules, or on-site childcare facilities, to support women in balancing their professional and personal lives.

5. Provide Training and Development Opportunities

Invest in training and development programs specifically designed for women in tech. Offer workshops, mentorship programs, and networking events that address the unique challenges and experiences faced by women in the industry. Encourage continuous learning and skill development.

6. Celebrate and Recognize Women’s Achievements

Highlight and celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in the tech industry. Share success stories, recognize their accomplishments, and provide platforms for them to share their experiences and insights. This can inspire and motivate other women to pursue careers in tech.

By embracing and supporting women in the tech industry, organizations can tap into a diverse pool of talent, foster innovation, and create a more inclusive and equitable workplace. It is crucial to address the challenges and barriers faced by women in tech and actively work towards creating an environment where they can thrive and contribute to the industry’s growth and success.

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Posted on December 28, 2023December 27, 2023 by Cam

Protect Your Identify

We are living in an era where people share everything on social media, where they are, and what are they doing?

As human beings, we need to be careful about what we tell the world and how we protect ourselves. Sometimes people in the are watching your every move or what you do in a bad way.

Cyber threats are on the rise every day, and some of these attacks are social engineering campaigns based on what you’re posting and doing. Here are some tips on “How to protect your identify”.

Don’t overshare

Most social media platforms and apps ask users to provide information about themselves, and then display this information on their profile. Be mindful of what you provide. The more information a scammer has about you, the more likely they are to set up a fake account using your personal information. If an application allows it, choose to keep your profile private.

Question quizzes and surveys

Be careful when you’re taking online quizzes. Be wary of quizzes that solicit personal information from you. Scammers pose questions with answers that you might use on security login forms, such as:

Your first car

Your first pet name

Your hometown

Protect your family

Always ask for permission from family members, friends or colleagues. Some people aren’t as active on social media as you are and don’t want their identity to be public knowledge.

Protect Your Personal Identity

Be careful about what you share on social media. Do not share personal information like your date of birth or home address. Check the privacy settings for each social media account. You might want to limit who can view your friends list, your contacts and photos. Keep your social media accounts private so only friends and family members can view your posts and other personal information.

Watch out for Scammers

Phishing is when someone pretending to be someone from Facebook or Twitter or another social media platform sends you an email pretending to be from them. For example, they might tell you that your account is hacked or that your password needs to be changed.

In phishing emails, you’ll be asked to click a link and provide your login credentials. Then, they’ll use those credentials to get into your accounts.

To tell if you’ve been phished, look out for unusual or misspelled or grammatically incorrect information. Hover over hyperlinks and see if they take you to a website that isn’t related to the sender of your email.

Be careful whom you accept friend requests from

Accept only friend requests from friends you know, and don’t reply to messages or click on links from strangers.

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Posted on December 13, 2023December 10, 2023 by Cam

What You Waiting For?

I keep asking myself, “What are you waiting for?” I know there aren’t many women in your industry, but don’t let that stop you from reaching your goals. Set the bar for others to aspire to the same level of success in Information Technology.

I went through a time in my career where I struggled to find a place to work that accepted me because it was a new concept to a lot of men in this industry who were not accustomed to having a woman in their workplace. Is it worth it?

I remember when I worked at the Trap House. It was exciting for them to say they had a female in IT now. It sometimes made my day to see them see me doing a role that they were most likely seeing a man do. To know that I am capable of anything I set my mind to and that I can do what the men do and better.

When I started getting my first hands-on experience, I started volunteering at my alma mater’s IT department. I had a good relationship with several of the IT admin’s in the building at which I took all my classes. I went into one of them and expressed my interests and aspirations. At the time, there weren’t many women in my industry pursuing a career in the IT field as I did, so I learned a lot from this individual and was eager to learn more.

Once I graduated from college, my career took a backseat because a lot of guys weren’t ready to close the gender gap at the time they hired me. I went to the finish line and all I heard was, “I don’t think you’d be a good fit for our team.” I was learning the hard way that my career wasn’t a safe space for me as a woman.

During this time, I tried to do things in my life that I didn’t feel passionate about but I knew my heart was in IT. I didn’t give up. I kept working on it.

This is a chapter in my book, and I’m giving you a sneak peek before it hits shelves in 2024. So what are you waiting on?

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Posted on March 16, 2023March 15, 2023 by Cam

Feel No Pain

I was getting ready to graduate from college at this time. I remember one of my professors telling us to make sure you got experience before graduating from college. That meant getting an internship.

Trust me I was trying to do that. This my first time experiencing discrimination at it’s finest. We would get all dressed up for career day/job fair day to go around and talk to recruiters from the companies who came to visit the HBCU (Historically Black College & University) I went to. Me and my classmates would go to also pick up free swag and map out who to talk to. One thing a lot of the companies would do was set the bar so high to get an Internship, G.P.A. (3.5 or higher). I did not have a 3.5 G.P.A. with a background in Engineering. We would go to our sister school that was 30 minutes away to get the opportunity to get a chance for an internship. Nobody was asking them for a G.P.A. at all for an internship opportunity.

Experiencing this made me realize that everyone is not treated equally in the workspace. I would be at my career fair disappointed knowing that fact that these companies were not trying to give minorities a chance to make an impact at their company or give us the chance to experience what corporate was like.

I do not get a job offer before I graduated and I deleted to apply for graduate school because I do not want to go back home because I did not like the situation that was going on in my hometown. I did not give up hope on trying to get experience when I got to graduate school. I went to the career fair and met with a few recruiters but this time was different. I got an email from one of the companies saying I was accepted for the internship program. I opened the email up and thought this must be a joke. I got a call from Career Services on campus regarding it. I was super excited to be given a chance finally.

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Posted on December 14, 2022December 13, 2022 by Cam

Using Your Gift

I’m moving higher
I’m going higher and higher
Closer to my dreams
Higher and higher

Everybody has a gift on Earth that has been giving to us. Getting there can sometimes take a lot of ups and down. But never give up on what you aspire to be. Keep pushing, think positive about it, and never give up.

As a Black Woman in a male dominated field it is easy to lose your focus. There have been times that I had to cry about my job or felt like quitting. My drive has kept me going because I love what I do. If I would have giving up, I would have never been able to pave a way for another woman to be able to set foot in the same role. Yes, I have paved a way at one of the companies that I have worked for. I was first woman to ever work in my area. I feel proud to represent other women no matter what your color is. We all are going to win in IT.

I remember wanting to quit pursuing me dreams in my field when I had to deal with the misogyny of what I love to do. It’s okay for the men to do what they want and still get paid even if it was nothing all day. I have had to work harder to prove that women belong in this area. I have fought the good fight. I remember being asked by one of the directors the following question: “Why do not women want to apply for roles in Information Technology?”. I responded because with the following with tears running down my eyes: “Women are not treated the same as men are and even if we work hard it still comes with misogyny because we can over perform in this field but not be promoted like the men.” I am not married and watched with my own eyes how they gave all the newly married men on my team promotions and raises. I took all that hate that had built up and created a wall at my house to remind myself that “I can do anything”.

God has giving me this gift and I want to continue to use my gift to do his will. Woman we are winning over hearts everyday and letting the workforce know daily how valuable we are. Life is never easy but you’re a winner in the end.

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Posted on January 31, 2022January 30, 2022 by Cam

Scream

AWW

The workplace can be such a toxic place when it comes to dealing with mental abuse. Here are a few heart breaking things that people had said to me at the workplace. Trust me it has made me a stronger person. Let’s all Scream together and get all of this off our chest.

“I have had a manager tell me before that I did not deserve a raise or promotion.”

“A guy has told me before at an interview that “I would not be a good a fit”.

“My manager striped my pride by demoting me”.

“Why do not women want to be in and Information technology field”.

“Can you lift 75 lbs by yourself and push this cart around”.

What is something hurtful someone has said to you at workplace?

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Posted on January 18, 2022January 20, 2022 by Cam

Can’t Hold Us Down

No one likes having conflict at work, I know I do not. This industry can be stressful especially for a woman in Information Technology. We have to keep continuing to fight for our rights to be in this industry.

Working in a field that can be referred to as a “Good Ole Boys Club” or “It’s a Man’s World” industry. Women often face issues with trying to find our place in this industry where men dominant this field. I can relate to the growing pains of this industry from being discriminated against, put down, lied on, cheated on, abused, scorn, ganged up on, up and down.

I have been through so much in my industry that I have had several mental break downs because of the industry. It’s hard to just be the only woman on your team with whole lot of men. Not having anyone to relate to who you work with. Sometimes I would do my work and be so overwhelmed at times I would go to the restroom to go cry to relive myself from the hurt and pain I am feeling from my job. Superwoman also has her days when she has to still put that cape on and hold the world down. I still put on my big girl panties at the end of the day to make it through all of this.

Women have been fighting for equal rights for along time and still continuing to fight the good fight. Stand your ground and let your voices be heard. We have arrived and are not going anywhere. We deserve respect, equal pay opportunities, raises and promotions.

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Posted on January 4, 2022January 3, 2022 by Cam

Cece’s Goodie Cart

Yes, I have changed my name to fit the blog but this one takes me down memory lane and was deemed the name “Cece” by the those who worked at the Trap House. Yes, a lot of my friends know about the Trap House and knows anything goes down at this place.

I named my cart the Goodie cart because it was loaded with plenty of equipment for me to setup a center area. When I would have the cart walking around I would have people begging for something but these people were happy about these second hand and out of date equipment. Sometimes I would walk around and play the Goodies song just for fun to see who saw that I was making my rounds.

I was also the first Female IT person to have ever worked at this place ever. I am proud that I did I go good and opened up the place to people see that women can do the work in this field. The people of site gave me the name CeCe. I also loved working here because it was never a dull moment. Stay tuned for more stories about the Trap House coming soon.

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