Latinas Rising with Technology
By Marisa Rivera
As good as technology is, it is also
another hurdle for women,
especially Latinas. Women
represent 24 percent of the STEM
workforce, but only 3 percent of Latinas are
represented in science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics, or STEM, fields. (Center for
American Progress: The State of Latinas in the
U.S.).
Almost every new job today requires the use
of technology. I asked Juliana Del Pozo, a young
Latina Civil Engineer working at a national
contracting company in Washington, D.C.,
building roads, bridges and tunnels, how we can
get more Latinas interested in the STEM fields.
She acknowledges a good foundation in math
starting at an early age is paramount to the
success of completing a Bachelor of Science
degree. After-school programs and internships
gave her the opportunity to explore the field and
build confidence. Having a strong cheerleader
and a guiding mentor like her mother Gloria Del
Pozo, who was always by her side and instilled
Marisa Blake, Bilingual Voiceover
Professional.
in her the discipline and responsibility for her
future is also very important to her.
“Having the courage to work and speak up
in a male dominated field is part of the challenge,
but also a very rewarding experience once you
are respected by your co-workers.”
She also advises us to; “Belief in Yourself
and be a self-starter, ask questions and keep
learning new trades. Do not allow your fear to
paralyze you, use it to challenge you.”
Juliana uses technology on the job every
day to be more effective and complete daily
contracting reports, drawings, takes pictures,
and uses many engineering and construction
machinery.
The future of work has never been more
uncertain and more exciting than it is right now.
Many of the positions of the future have
not been developed yet. We must support
after-school programs, such as Girls who code,
Code Like a Girl, Latinas in STEM, CODeLLA
and organizations like, Latinas in Technology and
Latinas Think Big as we grow the number of
Latinas in Technology. I grew up without cell
phones, computers, internet, iPads, headphones,
microwaves and many of the gadgets we
currently use daily. Technology has transformed
our lives, and the world is at our fingertips
because of technology. Technology has also
affected the way we work. With technology
average workers are almost twice as productive as
workers 30 years ago. Today, just about everything
can be accomplished on a screen, whether at a
desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
Marisa Rivera is president
of Mpowerment Works, a
motivational speaker, executive
coach and leadership and
empowerment consultant.
Marisa@MpowermentWorks.
com.
Marisa Blake, a bilingual voiceover
professional, can record, edit, add music, and
connect with clients and engineers thousands of
miles away and around the world in real time
using technology platforms to complete projects
such as, radio and TV commercials, audiobooks,
videos games, e-learning training programs and
more! Her talent and gift is her voice, but the
tools she uses are what makes her gift profitable.
From the microphone, to the audio interface, to
the computer, to the editing software and to live
connections such as Skype and Source Connect
she is able to connect her home studio to studios
around the globe and transmit a professional,
broadcast ready sound.
Technology is changing at the speed of light.
We must be willing and able to learn it and use
it effectively to market ourselves. Women are the
lead adaptors and users of technology, but we
must rise to become the lead Jefas, innovators
and creators of technology. Let’s do it!
LS
¡Las Jefas!
Want to comment or have any questions on
this article? Email us at info@latinastyle.com
Juliana Del Pozo, Civil Engineer.
40 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle Vol. 25, No. 1, 2019
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