Read Part I of Keana's story here.
Six months after joining the Therefore Community and successfully transitioning into tech after a Therefore meeting, we checked in with Keana to see how she was doing. Here’s what she had to say.
You’ve been in your role for six months, how has your transition been?
It’s been a great six months! This is the healthiest work environment I've ever been in and I'm really enjoying the work I'm doing. I like how we're always encouraged to keep learning. So now I'm learning SQL and then getting a little bit into coding as well in my own time. It’s incredible that I'm like encouraged to increase my skillset. I feel like I've grown a lot.
Six months later, I feel like I can do anything I set my mind to. I don't have doubts about what I can do and what I'm capable of.
What is your perspective on diversity at Onaroll?
It is a high priority. We even started having working groups, so I'm part of the BIPOC working group. One of Onaroll’s core values is to have 50% of our team members women and BIPOC, which I think is amazing. Most companies aren't striving for 50%, they're striving for, you know, one person here and there. So I really do think it's getting somewhere. I am one of three black people here at the company, so I think that could be a little bit better. Everyone I refer to apply has been black, so I'm personally putting in that work to just keep referring black people to the company, because I know so many who are trying to transition into tech. I would love to see more people who look like me, you know?
Ya definitely— being an “only” in the room is really hard. How have you navigated that feeling since starting your new role?
I think what is a good motivator for me is that the other two black people in the company are software engineers. So I think like, okay, if the two of them can get into this company and do it, then so can I. It's not impossible. They've been just very, very helpful with me on my journey to possibly becoming a software engineer, always offering resources, offering their assistance if I need anything. And that's what happens when there’s not that many people in the company that look like you, you tend to band together. And I feel like that's where I get so much support from, we have to lift each other up.
You may meet Keana soon on the Therefore platform as an employee of Onaroll!
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
