2 L.I.T. Chicks (Leaders In Tech)

Ep. 7 | Nonprofits Empowering Women in Tech

Ever wonder how nonprofits are quietly revolutionizing the tech industry for women and girls? Join hosts Fern Johnson and Dr. Alicia Makaye as they sit down with Anamika Gupta, President of DFW Alliance for Technology and Women, and Shawna Spence, a senior program manager whose career was transformed by nonprofit initiatives.
What You'll Discover- The hidden challenges women of color face in tech, from representation to work-life integration- How nonprofits are creating safe spaces for networking and mentorship from middle school to executive level- Real success stories of how one connection at a nonprofit event led to life-changing career opportunities- Inside look at programs making STEM accessible to underrepresented groups
Whether you're a tech professional looking to advance your career, someone passionate about giving back, or curious about the role nonprofits play in shaping the future of tech, this episode reveals how organizations are building bridges to success - one relationship at a time.
Featured Guests:- Anamika Gupta - President, DFW Alliance for Technology and Women- Shawna Spence - Senior Program Manager, Fortune 500 Company
 Learn about national organizations you can connect with, no matter where you are located!

Ep 6 | S.T.E.A.M. in Motion - How to Marry Art and Tech for Success!

Join Two Lit Chicks as they chat with Missy Burton and Gregg Young, two artists and technologists living the STEAM dream!
What's STEAM?
STEM + Arts = A powerful fusion of creative and analytical thinking
Featured Guests
Two innovators bridging technology and art
Sharing insights on how this intersection:
Drives their creativity
Shapes future breakthroughs
Keeps them from being "starving artists"
Episode Focus
Discover how STEAM is revolutionizing education, industry, and problem-solving today!

Ep 5 | Decoding How to Leverage Your Attitude to Unlock Your Highest Altitude

Join Two Lit Chicks as they chat with Cody Morris, a tech leader who radiates positivity.
 
Learn how to harness the power of a growth mindset, overcome challenges with optimism, and propel your career forward.
 
Discover practical tips for maintaining a positive attitude, the importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace, and how your vibe attracts success.
 
Get ready to elevate your attitude and watch your altitude soar!"

Ep 4 | How to Land Careers in Cybersecurity

Unlocking Cybersecurity Careers: Mastering Skills Beyond Technical Knowledge.
 
Fern Johnson (Former CTO Vice President of PepsiCo) and Dr. Alicia Makaye are joined by two (2) Fortune 50 cyber security leaders Phil and Sean to demystify this topic for us!
 
Are you ready to thrive in the fast-growing field of cybersecurity?
 
Join us as we discuss the impressive 31% job growth projected from 2019 to 2029, highlighting the global necessity for cybersecurity expertise.
 
Discover why mastering communication is as crucial as technical skills in this industry.
 
We also share practical tips on gaining hands-on experience, such as building your own PC and utilizing free software for pen testing.
 
This episode is perfect for anyone looking to explore the diverse career opportunities within cybersecurity.

Ep 3 Part 2 | Setting Yourself Up for Success with Tech Internships

In this episode of the 2 LIT Chicks Podcast, Fern Johnson and guest co-host Josie Joseph discuss the value of internships in the tech industry with three young STEM professionals for great part 2 of a 2 part internship conversation!
Are internships still worth it in tech?
We explore whether internships still hold the key to success in 2024's fast-paced tech industry.
With the rise of AI and the shift to remote work, some may question the value of these traditional stepping stones. But we’re here to tell you that internships are not just relevant—they're more critical than ever!
Join us as we delve into the journeys of college interns who’ve just completed a summer at a Fortune 50 giant. These young innovators aren’t fetching coffee—they’re shaping the future of the digital landscape. Their experiences highlight how internships can launch careers in unexpected and exciting directions.
Featured Segments:
Intern Stories from the Front Lines: Hear firsthand from interns who’ve had a transformative summer, working on cutting-edge projects at one of the world’s largest tech companies.
From Intern to Innovator: Get inspired by a former intern who successfully transitioned her internship into a thriving career. She shares her insights and strategies for making the most out of those early opportunities.
Diverse and Driven: Our guests come from prestigious HBCUs and a major state university, proving that talent is universal. Their diverse backgrounds contribute to their unique perspectives and their readiness to make waves in the tech world.
Why Listen?
Whether you're a student plotting your path into the tech industry or a professional reminiscing about your early days, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of internships.
You’ll learn why the intern hustle remains a vital part of building a successful career and how these opportunities are more dynamic than ever.
Remember!
 Don’t miss out on this essential conversation! Make sure to LISTEN, LIKE, and SUBSCRIBE to 2 L.I.T. Chicks for more episodes that dive deep into the tech world with passion and purpose.

Ep 3 Part 1 | Setting Yourself Up for Success with Tech Internships

In this episode of the 2 LIT Chicks Podcast, Fern Johnson and guest co-host Josie Joseph discuss the value of internships in the tech industry with three young STEM professionals for great part 1 of a 2 part internship conversation!
Are internships still worth it in tech?
We explore whether internships still hold the key to success in 2024's fast-paced tech industry.
With the rise of AI and the shift to remote work, some may question the value of these traditional stepping stones. But we’re here to tell you that internships are not just relevant—they're more critical than ever!
Join us as we delve into the journeys of college interns who’ve just completed a summer at a Fortune 50 giant. These young innovators aren’t fetching coffee—they’re shaping the future of the digital landscape. Their experiences highlight how internships can launch careers in unexpected and exciting directions.
Featured Segments:
Intern Stories from the Front Lines: Hear firsthand from interns who’ve had a transformative summer, working on cutting-edge projects at one of the world’s largest tech companies.
From Intern to Innovator: Get inspired by a former intern who successfully transitioned her internship into a thriving career. She shares her insights and strategies for making the most out of those early opportunities.
Diverse and Driven: Our guests come from prestigious HBCUs and a major state university, proving that talent is universal. Their diverse backgrounds contribute to their unique perspectives and their readiness to make waves in the tech world.
Why Listen?
Whether you're a student plotting your path into the tech industry or a professional reminiscing about your early days, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of internships.
You’ll learn why the intern hustle remains a vital part of building a successful career and how these opportunities are more dynamic than ever.
Remember!
 Don’t miss out on this essential conversation! Make sure to LISTEN, LIKE, and SUBSCRIBE to 2 L.I.T. Chicks for more episodes that dive deep into the tech world with passion and purpose.

Ep 2 | Bringing AI to Life Today

In this episode of Two L.I.T. Chicks, hosts Fern Johnson and Dr. Alicia Makaye dive straight into the world of AI with special guests Dr. Geanie Asante, Amy Green, and Charles Wright.
 
We're talking AI and the mindset needed to implement AI into your organization, along with actionable insights that you won't want to miss.
 
Get ready to learn how AI can transform your work environment and what you can do to stay ahead.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Welcome to Two Lit Chicks
03:06 Meet the Guests: Dr. Geanie Asante
05:24 Meet the Guests: Amy Green
06:30 Meet the Guests: Charles Wright
10:59 Diving into AI: Applications and Insights
21:33 Charles shared leveraging AI to do a multiple year project into months
23:01 Fern talks Accelerator
23:02 Amy Shares Challenges in AI Adoption
24:28 Careers and Opportunities in AI
26:10 Diversity and Inclusion in AI
29:53 Adopting a Culture Ready for AI
31:44 Large Companies Adopting AI
32:18 AI Tools Everyone Should Be Using
35:48 Advice for Embracing AI
41:34 Black Girl Magic Doing the Work First
42:57 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Ep 1 | Upskill Reskill Yourself!

Episode Update:NPower operates in nine US states and Toronto, Canada.  The recorded podcast stated the organization operates in "thirteen or fourteen states," which is not accurate.
The tech industry's appetite for skilled professionals continues to grow unabated.  
In this episode, Fern Johnson (Former CTO Vice President, PepsiCo) and Alicia Makaye (Air Force Veteran & Chief Outreach Officer at GXA) are joined by two powerful leaders, Detrick Garza-Propes and Juliet Odima, to explore the rapid pace of change in the tech industry and what it means to upskill and reskill.
The tech industry's appetite for skilled professionals continues to grow unabated.
As technology advances at a rapid pace, staying current is crucial.
Dietrick and Juliet share their insights on helping veterans, women, and youth transition into successful tech careers. This conversation is packed with stats, success stories, and the impact that DFW ATW and NPower programs are having on individuals seeking to break into tech or elevate their existing skills.
Key Points:
The growing need for upskilling and reskilling in the tech industry.
Overview of DFW ATW and NPower's missions and programs empowering tech professionals.
Success stories of program participants overcoming barriers and launching tech careers.
The importance of wraparound support services in addition to technical training.
How to get involved or take advantage of these organizations' offerings.
Notable Quotes:
"We believe that tech skills can be a powerful tool for economic mobility." — Detrick Garza-Propes
"From homelessness to then getting into her first career as an apprentice in a tech environment. To then becoming a data engineer." — Juliet Odima sharing a success story.
Resources Mentioned:
DFW ATW website: dfwatw.org
NPower website: npower.org
Dallas Community Help Desk: 469-306-0469
Get Involved:
Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about creating opportunities and transforming lives through technology education and career development! For more information on these two powerhouse organizations helping to upskill and reskill in tech, reach out at:
DFW ATW
NPower
Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Podbean today!

Preseason | 2 L.I.T. Chicks | STEM vs. STEAM (ft. Patcasso)

On this week's (video!) episode... Fern Johnson and Dr. Alicia Makaye are joined by artist Patrick Hunter aka "Patcasso" to discuss the topic of STEM vs. STEAM. 

Preseason | 2 L.I.T. Chicks | Graduating Into Tech

Happy Graduation season! In honor of all our grads, Dr. Alicia Makaye and Fern Johnson are dedicating this episode to those looking get their foot in the door of the tech world. From corporate tech to entrepreneurship, they discuss how to not only establish yourself from the start, but also how to move upwards and onwards throughout your career.