TO THE YOUNG PROFESSIONAL 003

Third interview in the TYP series, I am glad you came back for another dose of insight and motivation! I had the pleasure of speaking to Jen, a technology consultant that I have seen doing amazing things in her industry and business. Not only do we share the same name but our passions and interests are evidently aligned.

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JF: Who are you and what do you do?
JA: My name is Jen, I am a technology consultant at a joint venture company by Accenture and Microsoft and we provide technology solutions to predominantly blue-chip clients all over the world.

Image: Software training to clients

JF: How have you found the corporate space being a black woman in tech?
JA: As a black woman in tech, I think it is about finding your seat and owning that seat well. Initially, there may be challenges when it comes to perceptions, as expected. I have been quite lucky in that the organisation I am in is very warm and big on diversity and inclusion. Having worked on various client sites, I cannot say that they were all the same and as inclusive. I think the important thing to remember as an underrepresented individual within an industry like tech, it is all about how you present and articulate yourself and the hard work that you put in.

Image: Prince’s Trust Fundraising Pitch

JF: I totally agree, I am a firm believer of knowing the space that you are in and acting accordingly – the power of code-switching (I’ll have a blog post on this next month). As a young professional, how do you personally remain relevant within your industry?
JA: Within my organisation we are encouraged to undertake further development. We have talent communities ranging from delivery management, change transformation, business analysis, and software engineering. Within these communities, we are advised on certifications to consider undertaking and additional reading for our respective service areas. Personally, prior to engaging a new project, I utilise online resources – to keep things simple, Google, and YouTube are your friends! YouTube is fantastic and there are numerous videos that can help you build on your software skills. I also find Udemy.com to be a great online learning platform too!

As a consultant, it is important to be proficient in certain software – Excel and PowerPoint are perfect examples. I undertook a corporate communications role for a large financial services client and there were certain PowerPoint skills I needed to exhibit for such wide communications to be effective. Thankfully in preparing, I had learnt some useful tips and tricks from YouTube!

I also try my best to attend networking evenings when I can as I am a firm believer in networking, relationship building and management. As our organisation was birthed through Microsoft, we often receive exclusive emails for tech events. Whilst my schedule can be pretty hectic, I always make time to mingle and talk to people. You can learn so much from just one conversation with a senior professional. For example I tend to ask questions about software they may be implementing and certifications they may be undertaking at the time.

Image: Interview time!

JF: It is imperative for young professionals to work on being valuable assets within their teams and industries. I work on the Lloyd’s market and I have come to appreciate how incredibly social the market is and how many introductions and new opportunities are birthed out of established relationships. Advice time! What advice would you give to the undergraduate, recent graduate and young professional.
JA: Let’s start with undergraduates. In that space, I would say work on these three things: networking, make use of your employability centre and make sure your lecturers know who you are. It is necessary for you to gain as much experience as you can whilst at university. I interned professionally twice during my summers and that was down to me using my university’s Employability Centre. I was introduced to ‘Unitemps’ and secured my first internship sponsored by Santander through them. During that internship I went on a fully expensed leadership project to Poland. This helped me stand out during interviews post university. When it comes to networking and being known by your lecturers this is essential because it will allow you to be exposed to things you may not conventionally have access to. When you do network, have genuine conversations with lecturers, esteemed professionals and the like, speak about your interests, connect and always follow up!

image: Jen invited back by her University’s Employability department

For recent graduates, please note that every day post-university is important. Give yourself a slight grace period to rest – you have been studying full-time for 3 – 4 years – but do not be complacent. Time is of the essence. It is so easy for some graduates to fall into depression because 6 – 12 months down the line, they still do not have their desired role. The small, proactive steps do matter. Try your best to utilise the graduates and professionals around you, don’t be shy to ask for help, assistance or a professional introduction – I need the black community to do more of this!

Young professionals – never twiddle your thumbs, always ask for more to do. Being a consultant, I have learnt so much more about being proactive – In the beginning of my career I learnt that sometimes simply asking ‘Do you need help?’ and leaving it there is not enough. I had to think innovatively of how a gap in the team or project at hand could be fulfilled, and often provided efficient ways of improving processes. How did I do this? I’d approach a senior team member, having looked in his/her diary and offer my assistance from there (provided my workload allowed me to do so!) I’d also sometimes ask to attend additional meetings for greater insight on the project. Assistance could be as small as offering to take minutes in meetings and helping with important client decks. Being proactive within your team will take you very far and ensure you become indispensable. As aforementioned, networking! Going out for drinks with your colleagues can open some uncommon doors for you. I travel to Paris every fortnight to work with my current client and I believe developing a strong internal network within my company enabled this.

JF: I am an advocate for visibility. You do not know who you could possibly be encouraging or inspiring in remaining transparent. With a demanding role and your various ventures on the side, what is your why? What keeps you going and how do you manage to allocate time to build up each area of your life?

JA: Boundless Group is my why! (Still currently in the groundworks) - Boundless Group is a platform to help and encourage young developing adults between the ages of 16 – 28, focusing on all things personal and professional development. My end goal is to give back to this world. God has favoured me so much. I’ll give you a quick back story. I failed my A-Levels completely, I didn’t get into my top 10 university choice and being an academically able student from a prestigious sixth form, I genuinely felt at 18, that my life was over. I went from a bright and bubbly student to one that was lost and confused – all because I did not have the resources or access to individuals to help steer me in the right direction. I want to pour back to uplift the next BAME generation. Knowing that I am on this planet for a greater purpose keeps me going.

Image: PrettyFacesUK booking

Pretty Faces is my make-up artistry business and is a space for me to get my creative juices flowing and to make people feel pretty for their respective occasions. We plan to launch our cosmetics line very, very soon (keep your eyes peeled!) as well as campaigns centred around beauty and self-image. I am genuinely excited and passionate about all that I do and want for myself in the future. I cannot come home from my 9-5 and say that I am too tired – I whip out my MacBook and start working on my campaigns for Pretty Faces and laying the foundations for the Boundless Group.

To be able to do what I do well, strong diary management is key. I tend to set time aside in the evenings to upload content on Instagram, sort out my bookings for the upcoming weekend. Having a job that allows me to work remotely on occasion is pretty handy too. On the weekend, I spend my mornings studying at the library, I will then make my way to my makeup booking (If I am booked) – glam up my client – and then go out with my friends in the evening. When it is all said and done, if you really want it, you will make time and work for it.

Final words:
It was an absolute pleasure speaking with Jen. Her passion and drive for success is nothing short of inspiring. I am naturally drawn to professionals that are passionate about their careers as well as giving back to the wider community. Marian Wright Edelman once said that ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ and I believe that wholeheartedly. It is so important for us to be visible and transparent as young professionals in order to effectively inspire the next generation of graduates and professionals alike. I think Jen is doing a great job of that already and I personally cannot wait to see the great heights that she will go on to occupy as a result of her various endeavours.

Be sure to connect with Jen on LinkedIn. Follow her personal and professional Twitter accounts, her Instagram pages for Pretty Faces UK, the Boundless Group as well as her personal page also. If you are interested in finding out more about her journey or would like some further personal development advice, do get in contact with her and don’t forget to say that Jennifer Frimpong sent you!