Dijana Steward, IT Project Manager and member of the KCIT Employee Engagement Committee

By Dijana Steward, IT Project Manager and member of the KCIT Employee Engagement Committee

In July, King County IT CIO Bill Kehoe and I were asked to participate in the “Diversity Panel and Resources Event for Tech Industry Career Opportunities” event, an evening-long program hosted by the Department of Community and Human Services to provide insight and inspiration to people of color in their quest to build a career in technology. Bill was on the employer leadership panel and I was on the “this is how it really is” diversity panel.

I was a little nervous. I was concerned about being so transparent with my own journey and some of the not-so-refined methods I used for gaining traction in my career.

Bill went first and I could tell by the temperature of the audience that I was going to have to “come correct” and do it right and honestly, or not at all. While sitting in front of all of those beautiful people of color, eager to hear something that resonated with them, my nervousness turned into pride.

You see, I’ve worked really hard to get to a place where I could tell someone else about my journey. The audience asked everything, “How did you get your start and technology?  What’s been the hardest thing to overcome?  Do you have a degree?  What’s your day like?  Are you happy with where you are in your career?  What’s next?” Well, I’ll be honest with you, “What’s next?” is something that I asked myself on daily basis.

I tried to answer the questions honestly.  I told myself that if I wasn’t going to be completely honest about the journey that I wouldn’t answer the question. So, bit by bit, I talked about being a single parent working on weekends with my son in the office. I talked about taking every opportunity offered to me.

Suddenly that stage and the barriers shrunk and it became an intimate setting. Before long we were exchanging quips and funny anecdotes that helped to punctuate my story.

‘What’s next’ came earlier than I thought!

As the event concluded, Bill and I were approached by wave after wave of people who wanted to know more about King County’s IT department and my personal journey.  I’ve never been so honored to tell my story.  Because I work with mostly Caucasian people, I usually keep the details of my life to myself.  It’s not glamorous and, I assume, not relatable to many people.

Bill introduced me to two young women who were looking for a mentor.  I’ve never mentored anyone (other than being a parent). In fact, I’m on the search to find a mentor for myself, but Bill had a look of confidence on his face, so I took his lead and gave the young women my business card and encouraged them to reach out.

The very next day, I received an email from one of the young women telling me how much she appreciated the time we took to speak the night before and how she’d like to meet and talk about a mentor/mentee opportunity. I met with her a few weeks ago and was floored by what an awesome young woman she is, but I also found it really interesting that with all of her qualifications and personality and zest for life, I saw in her that she lacks the confidence to take risks in her career.  We have now cemented our relationship and I am really excited for this mentoring opportunity.

Over the next year, our mission will be getting her confidence to a place where she will actively and systematically go after opportunities.  I will share my experiences and help her move forward. My mentee is currently applying to the Ada Developers Academy for coding.  It’s a very competitive all female training program in Seattle and my mentee is dying to get in.  Most of me is rooting for her, but there is a small portion of me that is planning the pivot I will teach her when things we want so badly don’t manifest for us.  We’ll see.  Either way, I believe that warm evening with my brothers and sisters of varying shades changed me and reminded me that anyone with drive can have exactly what they want.

To connect with Dijana about her work promoting diversity in KCIT, email her at dijana.steward@kingcounty.gov.