2018 Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology | FALL - VOL. 33, NO. 2

A N N U A L

C A R E E R S

Fall 2018 | $6.95

I S S U E

The Nation’s Oldest Hispanic Technical Magazine

Surviving inCyber Careers Cisco CIO, Guillermo Diaz Jr. Talks about the Skills You Need

Guillermo Diaz Jr. SVP and Chief Information Officer Cisco Systems, Inc.

INSIDE • Student Leaders’ Internship Experiences • How Is the Digital Age Changing Careers?

• 8 Secrets for Success from MicroTech’s CEO • Tech Careers! The Latest Trends in This Rapidly Changing Industry

Latino Attitudes Toward Silicon Valley www.hispanicengineer.com

BUILD SOMETHING FASTER That’s What We Do, Every Day. Join a diverse team that is united in pushing the boundaries of imagination and excellence. Come shape the future with us.

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FEATURES

CONTENTS

The Future Is Here 30

How to Thrive in the Digital Revolution

INSIDE

24 COVER STORY

Cisco CIO Guillermo Diaz Jr. Talks Cyber Careers and the Skills You Need to Survive in Them

26 THE BUSINESS OF CYBERSECURITY

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Impacting Information Management

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

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PUBLISHER'S PAGE DEPARTMENTS People and Events..............6

José Muñoz Honored with Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Foundation Award, Hispanic Heritage Month to Honor Hispanic and Latino Americans, and the Labor Market Improves

NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Each year, in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, Hispanic Engineer looks back at the achievements of scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, Chile, and Belize, to name a few.

This year, we looked at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which also celebrates Hispanic Americans and their many contributions in the United States. We examined what the changing demographics mean for the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce.

In 1994, 10 years after the first issue of Hispanic Engineer was published, the Hispanic labor force was nearly 12 million; it was 19.3 million in 2004 and 25.4 million in 2014. Hispanics comprised 16.8 percent of the labor force in 2016, nearly triple the 9 million in 1988.

One on One ........................ 8

With 26.8 million Hispanics or Latinos in the U.S. labor force in 2016, the BLS projected that the share of Hispanics in the total labor force will reach 32.5 million by 2024.

MicroTech’s CEO Shares Secrets to Successful Leadership

The BLS also found that Hispanics or Latinos were least likely to work in life, physical, and social science occupations (7.5 percent) and in computer and mathematical occupations (6.6 percent). More than 70 percent of Hispanics in the U.S. labor force are aged 25 to 54.

Education............................12

As hundreds of thousands of jobs open across the country, employers are looking for people with the right skills.

Hispanic Engineer Spotlights Two Talented STEM Students

First Steps ......................... 16

FIU Students Share their BEYA/Internship Experiences

Corporate Life................... 18 Calling All Women: The Cybersecurity Field Needs You!

Although there are several initiatives offering students the hands-on computer science and math classes that make them job-ready on day one, more needs to be done to empower American students with the computer science skills they need to thrive in a digital economy.

In January 2018 the National Science Foundation took a major step to fix the problem. The NSF issued the first awards through its Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) program.

The HSI program addresses requirements set by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2017 and the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, recognizing the need to build STEM capacity at HSIs and to increase graduation rates for students pursuing associate and bachelor’s degrees in STEM at HSIs.

Career Voices ...................22

Plot Your Career Strategies Using Career Communications Group's JobMatch Program

Tyrone D. Taborn Publisher and Chief Content Officer

Career Outlook.................33 Tech Careers in Demand Industry Overview • What Are the Most In-Demand Technical Careers Now and in the Future?

• Untapped Insights Help Reshape Inclusive Strategies - Latino Attitudes Toward Silicon Valley

Job Horizon • Widening Scope of Digital Careers • Top 20 Most Admired Employers for Hispanic Engineer Magazine Readers www.hispanicengineer.com

Calendar of Events HACU’s Annual Conference Oct. 6-8, 2018 • Atlanta, GA www.hacu.net

2018 SACNAS: The National Diversity in STEM Conference Oct. 11-13, 2018 • San Antonio, TX www.2018sacnas.org

Women of Color STEM Conference Oct. 11-13, 2018 • Detroit, MI www.womenofcolor.net

30th HENAAC Conference Oct. 17-21, 2018 • Pasadena, CA www.greatmindsinstem.org/ conference/conference-home

2018 SHPE National Convention Nov. 7-11, 2018 • Cleveland, OH

www.shpenationalconvention.shpe.org HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

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SUBSCRIBE Online

VOLUME 33 | NUMBER 2 EXECUTIVE OFFICE Tyrone D. Taborn, CEO and Chief Content Officer Jean Hamilton, President and CFO

Alex Venetta, Associate Publisher, Manager of Partner Services

Eric Price, Vice President, Recruitment and Professional Training

sdvwvefvvwdvdvdvwdv

EDITORIAL AND CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Rayondon Kennedy, Managing Editor Lango Deen, Technology Editor Michael Fletcher, Contributing Editor Gale Horton Gay, Contributing Editor Garland L. Thompson, Contributing Editor Roger Witherspoon, Contributing Editor Kamal Morgan, Intern

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Beverly Wladkowski, Art Director Bryan Davis, Digital Director Joe Weaver, Global Design Interactive Markele Cullins, Intern Rachael DeVore, Intern

CORPORATE AND Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, CCG Alumni Committee Chair and ALUMNI RELATIONS President

Dr. Eugene DeLoatch, Chairman, BEYA Alumni Group

Vice Admiral Walter J. Davis, USN (Ret) National Chair,

BEYA Military Alumni

Oliver “Bo” Leslie, Retired Program Manager, Historically

Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions, Boeing

Monica E. Emerson, Women of Color STEM Conference

National Chair

Matt Bowman, CCG Military Program Manager Stars and

Stripes Committee Executive Director/Chief of Staff for

VADM Walt Davis, USN (Ret.)

Angela Wheeler, Manager, Foundation for Educational

Development, Inc.

Ty Taborn, Corporate Development

Hayward Henderson, Executive Advisor to the CEO SALES AND MARKETING Gwendolyn Bethea, Vice President, Corporate Development

Sheri Hewson, Account Executive

Devin Oten, Senior Account Manager

Natalie Stuppard, Marketing Specialist

Jay Albritton, Social Media Specialist JOBMATCH AND STUDENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Ashley Turner, Recruitment Team Manager Courtney Taborn, Talent Management Specialist Rod Carter, Recruitment Specialist, College Relations Sheila Richburg, College Coordinator

CONFERENCE AND EVENTS

Ana Bertrand, Conference Coordinator Jennifer Roberts, Customer Success Manager Brandon Newby, Administrative Assistant Toni Robinson, 360 MMG Rutherford & Associates

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Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology, (ISSN 10883452) is a publication devoted to science and technology and to promoting opportunities in STEM fields for Hispanic Americans.

This publication is bulk mailed to universities and colleges nationwide and in Puerto Rico.

The editors invite editorial submissions directed toward the goals of Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology. In particular, HE&IT magazine wishes to present ideas, current events, and personality profiles of successful Hispanic Americans in science, technology, and related business pursuits. Fully developed articles may be sent, but queries are strongly encouraged.

Articles and letters should be sent to: Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology, Editorial Department, 729 E. Pratt Street, Suite 504, Baltimore, MD 21202. No manuscript will be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology cannot be responsible for unsolicited material. Copyright © 2018 by Career Communications Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

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SAVE THE AD DATE FEBRUARY 7-9, 2019 Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel • Washington, DC

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PEOPLE AND EVENTS

by Lango Deen ldeen@ccgmag.com

JOSÉ MUÑOZ HONORED WITH SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS FOUNDATION AWARD

N

issan Chief Performance Officer José Muñoz was honored with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Foundation’s “Industry Leader Award” at the organization’s 2018 celebration.

The Industry Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the mobility industry.

Prior to his current role, Muñoz served as the chairman of Nissan North America and was responsible for operations, including manufacturing, engineering, design, sales and marketing, administration, and finance in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. During his tenure as the chairman of Nissan North America, the region achieved record sales for both 2016 and 2017.

The award also recognizes contributions outside of their industry that are exemplified through community education or philanthropic or government activities.

accountants, scientists, analysts, and other employees who have a solid foundation in science, engineering, and math. Investing in STEM education is, in fact, an investment in our very own future.”

“I know firsthand what a powerful difference a STEM education can make,” Muñoz said. “I was fortunate to have the chance to pursue my strong interest in the sciences and engineering. I want to ensure that more young people have access to the same educational opportunities I benefited from as a student.”

Hispanic Heritage Month Honors the Contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans

Every year, SAE International awards scholarship money to undergrad and graduate engineering students. Funded through the SAE Foundation, these scholarships encourage academic excellence and help students around the world to pursue their passion for engineering.

“Encouraging students to develop an interest in STEM subjects is critical to the future of the auto industry and to companies like Nissan,” Muñoz told SAE. “We need skilled engineers,

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Here’s some data you should know: 57.5 million - The Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2016, making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic or racial minority. Hispanics constituted 17.8 percent of the nation’s total population.

16.7 million - The number of Hispanic households in the United States in 2016 40 million - The number of U.S. residents age five and older who spoke Spanish at home in 2016. Those who speak Spanish at home constituted 13.3 percent of U.S. residents age five and

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

Nissan CPO José Muñoz, at a 2018 car show

older. More than half (59 percent of all Spanish speakers and 57.5 percent of Hispanic Spanish speakers) spoke English “very well.”

67.1% - The percentage of Hispanics age 25 and older that had at least a high school education in 2016 15.3% - The percentage of the Hispanic population age 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2016 5 million - The number of Hispanics age 25 and older that had at least a bachelor’s degree in 2016 1.6 million - The number of Hispanics age 25 and older with advanced degrees in 2016 (e.g., master’s, professional, doctorate) 17.4% - The percentage of students (both undergraduate and graduate) enrolled in college in 2016 that were Hispanic 24.7% - The percentage of students that were Hispanic of the total enrolled

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in kindergarten through 12th grade in 2016 67.3% - The percentage of Hispanics or Latinos aged 16 and older that were in the civilian labor force in 2016 21.2% - The percentage of civilian employed Hispanics or Latinos aged 16 and older that worked in management, business, science, and arts occupations in 2016 312,738 - The estimated number of Hispanic-owned employer firms nationally in 2015, up from 298,563, or 4.7 percent, in 2014 $61.2 billion - The estimated sales/ receipts reported by Hispanic employer firms owned by women in 2015.

Male-owned Hispanic employer firms reported sales of $264.2 billion

Labor Market Improves with Every Successive Generation Says New EPI Report The authors of a new report, “Hispanic– White Wage Gap Has Remained Wide and Relatively Steady,” found that wage gaps between second-generation Hispanic immigrants (those born in the U.S. to at least one foreignborn parent) and second-generation non-Hispanic white immigrants were narrower than wage gaps between first-generation Hispanic and white immigrants (those born outside the U.S.).

The Economic Policy Institute paper began their examination in 1979 and ended in 2017.

Maria Mora, an economics professor at Texas Rio Grande Valley, and Alberto Dávila, a professor and dean at the Harrison College of Business at Southeast Missouri State University,

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conclude that this is consistent with the notion that as successive generations of immigrants assimilate, their labor market outcomes improve.

“It’s clear that Hispanic workers still lag behind their white peers in many regards,” said Mora, “but it’s important to point out that Hispanic workers are not a homogeneous group. This analysis shows clear differences based on factors like where Hispanic workers are from, how educated they are, and how long their families have lived in the United States.”

Mora and Dávila also look at the overall population faced with an ongoing trend of growing wage inequality.

in this analysis, but there are some reasons to be optimistic,” said Dávila.

“For example, Hispanic education attainment is growing—but we need to make sure that Hispanic Americans have access to high-quality, affordable education.” HE

8 Tips for Data Science Jobs

“There are many causes for concern

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

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ONE ON ONE

By Lango Deen ldeen@ccgmag.com

MICROTECH’S CEO SHARES SECRETS TO SUCCESSFUL LEADERSHIP 8 Leadership Tips to Improve Professional Growth, Learning, and Personal Development

O

ne of the best leadership quotes of all time must be the one that leaders are made, not born. Tony Jimenez is a perfect example of a leader made by hard effort—the price that all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.

“I view my life much like a movie and work hard to ensure my leading role isn’t diminished by my circumstances,” said MicroTech CEO Tony Jimenez. “In the leading role, you can create positive experiences for yourself and those around you.

Take a leading role in your life’s story.” The business leader has a truly remarkable life story that reads like a movie script.

As a retired Army officer and a service-disabled veteran with more than 24 years of active military service, Mr. Jimenez has prospered in the business world by establishing one of the largest Hispanic-owned IT integrators in America.

Founded in 2004, MicroTech was Anthony Jimenez, CEO, MicroTech cultivated from a kitchen table startup to a profitable half-billion-dollar The company offers technology company with hundreds of government services, products, and solutions contracts, numerous awards for through single-award contracts and excellence, and several patents around more than 25 prominent governmentsecurity, the cloud, and Big Data. wide acquisition contracts (GWACs),

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HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts, blanket purchase agreements (BPAs), and basic ordering agreements (BOAs).

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Jimenez offers EIGHT LEADERSHIP TIPS to improve professional growth, learning, and personal development:

“I view my life much like a movie and work hard to ensure my leading role isn’t diminished by my circumstances.

In the leading role, you can create positive experiences for yourself and those around you. Take a leading role in your life’s story.”

MicroTech specializes in the design, implementation, operation, and administration of government and corporate computing, mobile computing, and telecommunications environments, with a strong commitment to organizational excellence and increased productivity and quality that result in long-term, holistic, sustainable improvement.

A nationally recognized business leader, Jimenez has testified before

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Congress and drafted legislation to improve opportunities for small business owners. Additionally, he has worked with White House and senior advisers on jobs, educational opportunities, entrepreneurship, and the economy. He is an advocate for the Latino, veteran, minority, and small business communities.

Jimenez has also served on influential boards, including the U.S. Department of Commerce National Advisory Council, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, George Mason University, Henry James College, the U.S.–Mexico Chamber of Commerce, the Harvard Journal of Hispanic Policy, the American Film Institute, the Partnership for a New American Economy, and the Board of Directors at the National Capital Area Council (Boy Scouts of America).

In 2011 Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology magazine named Jimenez as one of the Most Influential Hispanics in Technology. In April 2016 he was named to STEMconnector’s list of “100 CEO Leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math,” which featured CEOs who offer their unique perspective on the issues facing America’s STEM workforce.

Jimenez holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and two master’s degrees, in computers and information systems from Missouri’s Webster University and acquisition management from Florida Institute of Technology. He is also a graduate of the Executive Education Course at the Dartmouth Tuck School of Business, Defense Acquisition University, and is a National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Governance Fellow.

HE

1. Let passion be your purpose, and let your dreams be the catalyst.

2. Be prepared to work hard and risk it all because great rewards require great risk.

3. Set the standard, be the example, and don’t compromise!

4. If you put up with lower standards, you will end up with lower standards. People’s vibes, attitudes, and beliefs will become your own!

5. Surround yourself with the very best, and challenge yourself through their interaction.

6. Increase your odds of finding happiness and work–life balance by doing what you love and loving what you do.

7. Notice the people who enter your life and the experiences they create.

8. Stay close to those who lift you, inspire you, and motivate you to be all you can be.

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

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EDUCATION

by Terrence Dove editors@ccgmag.com

STEM ALL-STARS The future of STEM industries is ever evolving, with old and new challenges developing by the day.

Nevertheless, students in colleges and universities across the globe are preparing themselves for those challenges with innovative research across various STEM fields.

W

e took the time to speak to two worthy student ambassadors who represent the best of the STEM industry.

Jose Ortiz-Garcia, a recent graduate of Heritage University in Topperish, WA, focused on advancements in the field of chemistry for students.

“Chemistry is interesting to me for so many reasons,” Jose explained. “It helps scientists understand how things work and why things interact the way they do. Additionally, chemistry is a STEM area that has endless possibilities. From medicinal chemistry, material science chemistry, and chemical engineering to computational

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chemistry and environmental chemistry, if you can name it, a degree in chemistry can provide endless opportunities to make advancements in that particular field.”

Jose participated in research at Pacific Northwest National Lab, a U.S. Department of Energy government research laboratory. His work focused on the radioactive element technetium and the toxic chemical chromium.

“I believe this work is important because past wars have generated a lot of legacy nuclear waste.

It is important to find a way to remediate that waste.”

Jose Ortiz-Garcia “These two elements are of great concern at the Hanford site,” Jose said.

“They are currently stored in tanks mixed with various other contaminants.

The goal of the research project was to use the zero valent iron nanoparticle to see if it would be possible to reduce these two elements of concern into a more stable and less harmful form. The ultimate goal was to vitrify the waste, or turn it into glass.

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

“The results showed me the zero valent iron nanoparticle was effective at reducing these two contaminants but not at an ideal rate. In other words, it was reducing very slowly. This meant it would take too long to make glass and would ultimately increase the cost of the vitrification system.”

Jose’s passion for chemistry stems from a concern for the global environment. “I believe this work is important because past wars have generated a lot of legacy nuclear waste. It is important to find a way to remediate that waste. We cannot allow it to just sit there to potentially harm the environment and the people living around the affected areas. That will only mean the next generation of scientists will have to take care of the problem.”

Amanda Maria Wilson, a student at the University of Arizona, is currently working in the STEM field of quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), an interdisciplinary science that exists in the intersection of microbiology, mathematics, and public health. She aims to answer questions about the effects of everyday, secondby-second behaviors and interventions on infection risk in healthcare settings.

“One of my recent projects,” Amanda explained, “involved validating a viral exposure model in its ability to predict viral concentrations on hands by comparing its estimates with viral concentrations measured on nurse hands during an urgent care microbial tracer study. I am currently working on extending this model to estimate and compare the effects of increases in hand hygiene compliance and surface cleaning events on infection risk. These stochastic discrete-event modeling techniques have been applied and developed in the chemical exposure science field, but their application

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Recent Heritage University graduate Jose Ortiz-Garcia

“I like this work because it challenges me to use both my creative and logical sides to answer complex questions.”

Amanda Maria Wilson

University of Arizona student Amanda Maria Wilson

within healthcare and QMRA is still early in its development.”

allowing for optimization of infection prevention strategies.”

According to Amanda, the use of microbial tracer studies to validate exposure modeling is a novel approach that could inform the infection control and QMRA fields’ understandings of the mechanisms at play during pathogen transmission in indoor environments.

Amanda recently presented her preliminary results at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology annual meeting.

She also had the opportunity to present this research at the 2018 Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in STEM, where she was awarded first place in graduate oral presentations in ecology, environment, and earth sciences.

“QMRA is a useful tool in exploring and defining what it would take to achieve potential infection risk targets,” she went on to explain. “Discrete-event models, specifically, will allow for insights into the effects of intervention timing and duration on infection risks,

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“I like this work because it challenges me to use both my creative and logical sides to answer complex questions,” Amanda went on to say. “Growing

up, I had the view that my interests in art and science were pulling me in opposite directions. However, in QMRA, I have found a harmonious place where both creative and logical sides are in the driver’s seat. The QMRA field requires creative solutions to isolate the effect of one parameter of interest on another because a system that involves humans, microbes, and their interactions with various environments is complex.”

“I tend to look at these modeling problems through the lens of a musician,” she continued. “I ask myself: What is the ‘symphony’ of events that is creating the overall observed health effect, and how does the timing and composition of these complex moving parts result in the exposures about which we are concerned?” HE

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

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CORPORATE LIFE

by Denise Stephens editors@ccgmag.com

CALLING ALL WOMEN: THE CYBERSECURITY FIELD NEEDS YOU!

T

echnology is making all of our lives increasingly easier. We’re able to communicate faster than ever before. We can stream entertainment with the click of a button. We can order our groceries straight from our smartphones.

But these luxuries don’t come without

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24-year Air Force veteran and Senior IT Security Analyst Felicia Jackson and Lt. Col. Maria Biank, a 27-year veteran and current Director of Operations for the U.S. Army Cyber Command, at a cybersecurity seminar at the 2017 Women of Color STEM Conference

risk. As our lives integrate with technology in new and complex ways, the threats become greater. New cyber channels create new opportunities for

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

hackers to access our information.

As potential threats multiply, there’s an increased need for people to protect us from them. And there’s also a www.hispanicengineer.com

“Only 11% of the cybersecurity workforce is comprised of women. Not only is this a growth area globally but it’s a growth area for women specifically.

We know from other industries that the more diverse a workforce is, the better they perform. It’s very important that we recognize that.”

Lt. Col. Maria Biank

need for women, in particular, in the cybersecurity field.

done. Sometimes you don’t stop to think about the risks.”

At a recent Women of Color STEM Conference, Lt. Col. Maria Biank and Army Officer Felicia Jackson held a seminar on this topic. The two discussed the growing needs of the cybersecurity industry and offered some advice to women trying to find a role in it.

Biank points out that many of these risks are related to outdated technology. These technologies leave open holes for hackers to find their way through. “Some corporations use old operating systems to build things because they don’t have the money to upgrade,” she says, spelling out the need for innovation. “How do you go about hardening those to make sure that they’re functional, usable, and secure without getting rid of it?”

“Only 11% of the cybersecurity workforce is comprised of women,” says Biank, a 27-year veteran and the current Director of Operations for the U.S. Army Cyber Command. “Not only is this a growth area globally but it’s a growth area for women specifically.”

Diversity, she explains, propels innovation by bringing in new perspectives. “We know from other industries that the more diverse a workforce is, the better they perform,” she says. “It’s very important that we recognize that.”

As Jackson, a 24-year Air Force veteran and Senior IT Security Analyst for Raytheon points out, women are naturally predisposed to traits the industry needs. She cites flexibility, decisiveness, detail-orientation, and intuition among the qualities that make a strong security analyst. “Even if you’re not a mother, you still have those intuitive qualities,” she says to the women in the audience. “We can feel threats. We can feel when things are wrong.”

It’s not difficult for women to get involved with cybersecurity either.

After all, the majority of companies have data that needs protection, no matter their industry.

“There are a lot of threats out there.

People don’t think about them because they have their own jobs to do,” Jackson says. “If you’re in engineering and you’re trying to get to the next contract, you’re focused on getting

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With a bit of training, women can transition into security without even changing industries. Jackson suggests that women who are interested get certified and find a role in the field they already work in. That way, they’ll be able to bring what they already know about the industry to their security approach.

“Get familiarity with what’s going on in your area, whether it’s healthcare or something else,” Jackson suggests.

“You touch cyber in every single workforce, so you’ll be able to fit in wherever you are.”

Biank adds that industry expertise makes for strong leaders, something the cybersecurity field is constantly in search of. “We need smart people on the leadership side who understand the big picture, what we call the ‘strategic environment’ in the Army,” she says.

“We need people who understand that environment and can apply what they know to the company they’re supporting.”

Ultimately, cybersecurity presents a wide range of opportunities for women of all ages. “It’s a growing industry,” Col. Biank says. “Whatever your skillsets and aspirations are, you can’t go wrong in this area.” HE

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

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CAREER VOICES

by Lango Deen ldeen@ccgmag.com

CAREER STRATEGIES: CCG'S JOBMATCH IS GROWING IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS When Courtney Taborn joined Career Communications Group's JobMatch in 2015, chances are that employers weren't sure what to make of the service.

C

areer Communications Group (CCG) has long been a company that combines the best of content production and distribution, advertising, and public relations, but a lot has changed in the last three years.

What was once used a couple of times a year at CCG job fairs has now emerged as a driver leveraging the 30-year-old firm. Adoption of CCG’s JobMatch service is growing in leaps and bounds.

“Since I joined the JobMatch team, the number of participants has grown from twenty to eighty, a 400 percent increase,” she remarked. “Growth has largely been driven by our recruitment team building strong relationships among candidates.”

Candidates come from Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)-accredited schools at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs), tribal colleges, and local community colleges.

JobMatch uptake hasn’t just soared;

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recent surveys show 90 percent of JobMatch users are “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the service.

“Most excitingly, we have begun the process of interviews for participants before our conferences,” Taborn adds.

Over its annual nine-month conference cycle, CCG holds two major events. Last February they hosted the 32nd Annual BEYA STEM Conference in Washington, DC, and this fall they will hold the 23rd Annual Women of Color STEM Conference in Detroit, MI.

By the Numbers The 2018 BEYA STEM conference topped 10,800. Student numbers came in at more than 4,690. Of that total, more than 58 percent were male and 41.7 percent female. College seniors comprised more than 35 percent of the undergraduates, with juniors making up 26.2 percent; sophomores, 15.5 percent; and freshmen, 10.5 percent. Graduate students came in at 8.9 percent.

Taborn hopes to “onboard” CCG’s partners to increase awareness of the program.

Corporate partners include Lockheed Martin, longtime co-host of the BEYA STEM Conference, as well as Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Raytheon, General Motors, and other employers that make CCG’s most admired list or are named as top supporters of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in Black Engineer, Hispanic Engineer, and Women of Color magazines, all published by CCG. Taborn is also working on Readiness Certification, a training program with its own seminars at CCG’s conferences.

“The objective of CCG JobMatch’s Job Readiness Certification is to help prepare talented individuals for extraordinary careers,” Taborn explains.

events, or in the pages of its magazines, are in the highest paying jobs in R&D, innovation, strategy, software development, IT, integrated circuit design, data science and analytics, and performance. Taborn’s team is increasing their visibility.

“You can expect to see updated branding, online portals, websites, and a more robust online learning platform in the next 12 months,” she said.

Jennifer Roberts joined CCG as a customer success manager in 2018.

She’s not planning on reshaping the model, because “the winning strategy of JobMatch comes back to sticking to CCG’s primary goal,” she says.

Since 1987 CCG has been connecting top-quality, diverse talent with top-tier organizations that have embraced inclusivity for decades. “We have been successful by staying true to our roots and keeping standards high,” Roberts says. “The organizations we work with are committed to diversity and nurturing their employees’ skills. Our commitment to supporting an allinclusive STEM pipeline is what propels our success.”

Roberts also said one of the biggest trends is the refocus on diversity.

“Companies are making diversity a key part of their culture. As a result, we have never been more relevant,” she says.

Keeping the message relevant for millennials and Gen Z is Ashley Turner’s job as a university and professional relations development manager. Turner manages job applicants daily from the CCG Metro Detroit office.

“We have to keep candidates engaged,” she said. “Maintaining relationships with candidates showing interest is not just good practice but fundamental.”

Many of the professionals at CCG

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

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Turner calls “ghosting” an unfortunate trend that has reversed from recruiters and companies having no communication after an interview to the candidates saying, “Hey, we can do this too.”

“I think that having that connection with the candidate and understanding what they want and need out of the position helps make sure that no one on both ends gets ghosted,” Turner said.

Described by her teams as a networking pro, Turner’s tips for JobMatch candidates are consistent: 1. Alma Mater Works: Connect with classmates, other networking groups, and even career services.

2. Join Industry Groups: Find every association that matches up with what you want or have a career in. Make those connections and make them stronger by attending events.

3. LinkedIn: Engage on this digital hub, and connect with professionals and leaders in your field.

4. Volunteer: You meet all sorts of people from various walks of life.

Join a club or start one.

Turner also reminds her candidates to do the following:

Pictured from top: Courtney Taborn, Jennifer Roberts, and Ashley Turner

www.hispanicengineer.com

• • • •

Have a goal when networking.

•

Lastly, follow up with whomever you connected with to stay engaged. HE

Bring business cards.

Make an effective introduction.

“We have been successful by staying true to our roots and keeping standards high,” Roberts says. “The organizations we work with are committed to diversity and nurturing their employees’ skills. Our commitment to supporting an all-inclusive STEM pipeline is what propels our success.”

Listen first then speak so that you stay focused.

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Guillermo Diaz:

‘The Network Guy’ When Guillermo Diaz was seventeen going on eighteen, he was off to see the world by joining the United States Navy. With paying for college or a full-ride scholarship hard to come by, the high school senior and award-winning martial artist opted for job training in the Navy instead.

As an enlisted sailor, Diaz “learned fast and learned often” in the Navy’s telecommunication networks.

“It was this cool thing that allowed me to communicate securely between ships, airplanes, and shore,” he told Hispanic Engineer.

In an interview with Zach Baliva for Hispanic Executive, Diaz said he really wanted to be a fighter pilot.

“I figured I would start out as a jet engine mechanic. My mother had other plans, though, as she saw something that I didn’t quite see—a world of communications. I didn’t have the opportunity to go through a traditional route to college, but there were telecommunications jobs available in the Navy."

Diaz’s military scholarship led to a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Regis University in Colorado and great opportunities in the brave new world of tech.

Once out of the Navy, he worked his way into responsibility as he took on more IT and networking roles.

Before he joined Cisco in 2000, he

served as the director of network services for a computer hardware and software manufacturer, senior director of information technology for an computer distribution firm, and telecoms manager for a pharmaceutical and medical systems corporation.

If you own a Cisco security product, you’re harnessing the power of Talos’s threat intelligence, which flows to every one of their products and the network, the company’s tagline reads.

Since joining Cisco, Guillermo has been a major driver of the development of Cisco network and management systems and Cisco’s Internet and intranet foundations: Cisco.com and Cisco Employee Connection.

Since 1998, the Cisco Networking Academy has changed the lives of over 8 million students around the world by providing education, technical training, and career mentorship.

He has also led business IT application areas such as Cisco’s $48B+ electronic commerce, technical services, professional services, service sales and marketing, customer service, Cisco Capital, and cloud/SaaS platforms.

"We're actually now a security company," Diaz told Hispanic Engineer.

"We've grown up as an infrastructure/ network company. That's what we're known for—building out the Internet.

But over the last five plus years, we’ve grown to become a security company as well."

Diaz quickly adds that security was always part and parcel of the network, so it's in Cisco's DNA. Security runs through all the jobs at the worldwide leader in IT and networking.

"Whether they are in the actual group developing products or services software as a service asset around security," he said.

To illustrate his point, Diaz points to acquisitions such as Open DNS, the foundation of the overall cloud security strategy at Cisco. Two years earlier, Cisco had bought Sourcefire, a leader in intelligent cybersecurity solutions.

There’s also Talos, which Diaz says monitors the activity in ALL our lives.

How do you get a job with world’s largest networking company?

Networking Academy students get priority access to jobs from the academy’s pool of select employment partners, such as IBM, Verizon, Ingram Micro, Red River, CDW, and Cisco.

"My team works very closely with our Corporate Affairs team and helps support the platforms that the Network Academy built on behalf of those students,” Diaz says.

“All the learning platforms and capabilities offered to those students are built by my team in IT, which partners very closely with Cisco corporate social responsibity so that students can gain access to the digital and entrepreneurial skills in the academy.”

As the world moves to the next industrial wave, Diaz says the skills needed by college grads and professionals are just the same as those the students in the Networking Academy are building. They include the following: 1. Cybersecurity 2. Networking 3. Cloud native capabilities 4. Programming and orchestration 5. DevOps or Agile 6. Business acumen to articulate all of the above

- Rodolfo Neri Vela 18

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The skillset can also apply to Cisco’s Security Ninja program, which was founded in 2012.

“When you’re (Cisco) black belt, you become an expert in cybersecurity, and that’s true for anyone in IT, programming, or other areas. We’re constantly putting into practice the education part,” he says.

“We’re making sure everyone is thinking of security up front, teaching the foundations of the network, programming, and orchestration and how it connects to the end and Internet of Things.”

With Cisco routers just about everywhere on the planet and the International Space Station, Diaz has a lot to keep him up at night.

“I have to wake up every morning with a team, a mindset, and the skills to support security as a very key component of Cisco’s infrastructure,” Diaz says.

“I’m a network guy. I grew up with a secure network, and Cisco’s the perfect place for me.” HE

by Lango Deen ldeen@ccgmag.com

Guillermo Diaz Jr., Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer Cisco IT

“I figured I would start out as a jet engine mechanic. My mother had other plans, though, as she saw something that I didn’t quite see—a world of communications.”

www.hispanicengineer.com

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by Christopher Zacher editors@ccgmag.com

The Business of CYBERSECURITY Michael "Mike" Black, Chief Operating Officer, JMA Solutions

But what measures are businesses taking to keep our data safe? How are they working to educate their customers on the importance of cybersecurity? And, perhaps most importantly, how are they preparing young workers to protect our information from future threats?

A recent panel entitled “The Business of Cybersecurity,” held at the 2018 BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference, aimed to address these questions. The Q&A-style presentation featured three panelists and a moderator, all of whom are experts in the field of cybersecurity.

Both the panelists and audience members expressed concerns about the lack of awareness among the general public.

The need for cybersecurity is becoming increasingly apparent. Open up any recent issue of Forbes or another business journal and you’re sure to see articles calling for more cybersecurity awareness. Titles like “Cybersecurity Is a Business Risk, Not Just an IT Problem” and “Why Cybersecurity Should Be a No. 1 Business Priority” make it clear that the issue is a hot topic in the commercial world.

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“If you remember back in the day, people would tell you that you needed to cut your soda rings because dolphins could get stuck in the plastic,” says Col. Terrence Adams. “Where is that kind of national push for cybersecurity? We need that.”

Adams, who works as Director of Communications and Chief Information Officer for the U.S Air Force Air Mobility Command, believes that more discussion of potential threats could help us all to keep our data safer. “You can’t change your behavior unless you know things, right?” he asks. “Every American would benefit from more conversation about the topic. It would give people more information about how their behavior today could impact them in the future.” www.hispanicengineer.com

It may not just be the general public that needs more information. As Gary Gadson, Assistant Vice President for AT&T University, points out, many commercial businesses could use a bit of education as well. “Strangely enough, some companies don’t buy into the compliance and security until they’re on the front page of The Wall Street Journal,” he says. “Far too many businesses—big businesses—aren’t taking cybersecurity as seriously as they should.”

Colonel Terrence Adams, Director of Communications & Chief Information Officer, U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command

The panelists agree that it’s crucial to educate the American population about cyber threats as early as possible. For some, this means incorporating cybersecurity education as early as grade school. “We have to have a clear idea of what we want to do,” says Col. Adams. “We have to go back to our academic arms, even down to elementary schools, to penetrate this cybersecurity thing.”

The panelists also agree that we need to promote data security as a viable and necessary career, particularly for students who are interested in programming and engineering.

Moderator Mike Black, who served as Commander of the White House Communications Agency during the Bush and Obama administrations, expresses the importance of formal cybersecurity training programs. Col. Black, a 26-year veteran of the U.S Air Force, explains that the Air Force Academy has introduced a number of security-related programs in the past few years.

“We’re trying to prepare and educate our soon-to-be workforce,” he says.

“We’re trying to equip them with the experience and knowledge they need from an academic standpoint.”

Even those engineers who’ve already finished college or work in another field, as the panel explains, will be welcomed by the cybersecurity industry if they are qualified. Gadson explains that, like many companies, AT&T helps skilled employees to

www.hispanicengineer.com

“Strangely enough, some companies don’t buy into the compliance and security until they’re on the front page of The Wall Street Journal,” he says. “Far too many businesses— big businesses—aren’t taking cybersecurity as seriously as they should.” transition into security by connecting them with mentors who understand the field.

He says that mentorship is crucial for anyone who’s interested in cybersecurity. “Find someone who’s been in the space for a while, and tag onto them as much as possible to improve your skill set,” he says. “If

you’re a skilled network engineer, tag onto someone who’s a programmer because you’re going to need those skills and abilities in the future.”

As Ernest Smiley, Chief Data Officer for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, explains, security is a complex field that requires a lot of different skill sets. “There are so many facets of cyber,” he says. “There’s the piece that involves coding. There’s a whole operations side.”

No matter what an individual’s skills are, there is a place for them in the industry. The engineer simply has to figure out how they can contribute most effectively. “Determine where you fit in, what your skills and capabilities are,” he advises. “Then align yourself with the personnel and organizations that can help you grow.”

There is no shortage of cyber jobs for qualified individuals either. Anyone who’s qualified can join the efforts to secure our data. “Right now, there’s enough work in the cyber world to last for the next 20 years,” he says, “and it continues to grow every day.” HE

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

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THE FUTUR How to Thrive in the Digital Revolution THERE’S A LOT OF TREPIDATION AROUND AUTOMATION AND WHAT THE DIGITAL AGE REPRESENTS TO THE GLOBAL WORKFORCE. WHILE WE ALL ENJOY HAVING THE ABILITY TO VIDEO CHAT WITH FAMILY ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND WATCH FEATURE FILMS ON OUR PHONES, THOSE OF US WHO WORK IN CERTAIN FIELDS ARE WAITING FOR THE DAY WHEN TECHNOLOGY RENDERS OUR JOBS OBSOLETE.

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HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

www.hispanicengineer.com

RE IS HERE “Everyone has the opportunity to race toward the digital age,” Jem says. “There are no barriers of entry outside of access to talent.

Talent is the differentiator in the race toward being number one.”

Machines don’t need to sleep, after all, which means that we could easily be replaced by an automated gadget that’s capable of working much harder (and for much longer) than we ever could.

For those of us who work in STEM, however, automation is nothing but an opportunity.

At a recent BEYA seminar, Jem Pagán, Partner and Director of Tech Strategy for JNK Securities, offered some young scientists and engineers advice on thriving in a world of increased innovation. www.hispanicengineer.com

EMBRACING AUTOMATION

“There’s no part of our world, personal or professional, that won’t have some sort of digital impact,” Pagán says. “It means that there’s going to be a huge need for STEM professionals to fill those gaps that exist in the market and that there’s going to be an opportunity for entrepreneurial ideas to come to the forefront.”

While the self-checkout machines at grocery stores, for example, are already commonplace, industries as diverse as air pollution control and electromagnetic level detection are also likely to be automated in the near future.

Automatic devices are not only capable of performing these jobs much more efficiently than humans but also provide their manufacturer with important data around the product’s performance. User-generated data is analyzed to understand how the product can be improved and whether or not its costs can be decreased.

“This is really about revenue and market growth,” he says. “If I understand how a product is performing in the market, I can influence my R&D investment so that I’m not overspending.”

He also explains that while we may fear certain aspects of technology, like the loss of privacy or the risk of security breaches, these also present potentially lucrative openings for people with STEM skills. “As you think about those concerns,” he says, “you begin to realize that they are being discussed throughout the world, but they haven’t been solved.”

BEING A HIGH-PERFORMING PROFESSIONAL Pagán points out that the natural resource that’s fueling the digital

revolution is not fuel or coal—it’s people. “Everyone has the opportunity to race toward the digital age,” he says. “There are no barriers of entry outside of access to talent. Talent is the differentiator in the race toward being number one.”

In order to stand out in an increasingly competitive field, Pagán suggests, STEM professionals must be both versatile and patient.

In a world of rapid innovation, after all, both employees and entrepreneurs must be willing to adjust as their jobs change. “If you’re a person who wants to meet at the water cooler and talk about ‘Why can’t we do it the way we’ve always done it?’ it could be a challenge,” he says. “In the digital world, everything is moving faster, so change is inevitable. The only thing that won’t happen is things will stay the same.”

At the same time, however, it’s important that professionals avoid the temptation to move too quickly along their career path. Even in the age of increased speed and constant distractions, virtues like empathy, attentiveness, skill-building, and selfawareness are valuable characteristics in an employee. Today’s STEM professionals need to remember that social skills are equally as important as technical skills.

“I’ve seen it happen in plenty of people’s careers where they went on the fast-track [from a] celebrated program to management,” Pagan says.

“They get to a high level, and all of a sudden, they’re like, ‘I can’t feel the ground anymore. I moved too fast and didn’t acquire the skills that others picked up along the way because I was fast-tracked.’” HE

by Christopher Zacher editors@ccgmag.com

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

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HISPANIC

ENGINEER & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Now Available on iTunes Download our magazines directly from the Apple iTunes Store

www.ccgmag.com

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CAREER

OUTLOOK

Confused about courses, programming languages, and certifications for the digital economy? How can you prepare for the ever-evolving digital landscape? Which majors are best for entering the technical workforce?

What do employment options look like for those seeking to join a technical field?

What's a great way to get connected to potential employers? This issue of Career Outlook gives you answers to all those questions and more. It’s really a pocket career coach you will want to keep.

Read insightful and informative articles about the trends in tech careers, why tech jobs are growing, and the hottest, in-demand careers in the top ten states for tech. www.hispanicengineer.com

TECH CAREERS HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

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CAREEROUTLOOK | INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

What Are the Most In-Demand

Technical Careers

NOW and in the FUTURE?

by Alfred Lewis editors@ccgmag.com

If you’re an upcoming or recent college graduate, you’re undoubtedly looking toward your future career. For technical majors of any variety, a common question is “What are the most in-demand technical careers now and in the future?” With technology that changes so rapidly, companies that come and go quickly, and a myriad of competitive fields, it is beneficial to observe the current trends in technical careers and to try to look into what the future holds for these exciting areas!

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ENGINEERS, DEVELOPERS, AND DATA SECURITY According to Forbes magazine, the most in-demand technical careers focus on two main areas: engineers/developers and data security. Neither of these fields should come as a shock to any tech undergrad; jobs in both of these areas take a skilled candidate with an attention to detail. Business Insider lists of the most in-demand jobs for 2018 included many technical positions, such as full stack developer, computer vision engineer, machine learning engineer, data scientist, and development operation engineer. When considering which jobs are in demand across all industries, technical careers are among the highest in the nation.

For engineers and developers, companies are constantly seeking skilled candidates to design IT systems, perform back-end and front-end work, rigorously test new products, and work with a variety of platforms that have become essential to business function. With regard to data security, one only needs to look around at any number of recent

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

data security breaches in the news to quickly realize the massive importance that companies are putting on keeping client and customer data security locked tightly. These technical jobs require wellprepared candidates that are passionate about their fields.

WHAT DO EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS LOOKS LIKE FOR THOSE SEEKING TO JOIN A TECHNICAL FIELD? US News lists the top five jobs in technology as software developer, information security analyst, IT manager, computer systems analyst, and computer network architect. These employment options all benefit from average salaries around $100,000 and very low unemployment rates (all less than 4%). As noted before, these types of jobs are migrating away from Silicon Valley and into many different areas, such as medical, retail, etc. Employment options for recent and future grads will be plentiful and varied. If you’re thinking of entering an undergrad program with a major in technology or other technical focus, now is the time!

www.hispanicengineer.com

| TECH CAREERS IN DEMAND NOW & IN THE FUTURE

Thinking of entering an undergrad program with a major in technology or other technical focus?

NOW is the time!

You might be thinking about what potential challenges exist when attempting to enter these technical fields. You are not alone. According to Harvard Business Review, two-thirds of recent grads report struggling to launch their careers. New graduates may encounter issues arising from paying off student loans to finding a solid full-time first employment opportunity.

However, they also note that students that majored in technical areas often see these challenges with much less frequency. Additionally, noted as a challenge, students and recent grads should make sure to focus on “soft skills,” especially interpersonal skills. www.hispanicengineer.com

These skills enable new employees to powerfully communicate with their peers and to begin successful partnerships that enable job advancement and satisfaction.

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT TRENDS IN TECHNICAL CAREERS? According to a report by Glassdoor, there are some major trends that were observed looking beyond 2018.

Of most pressing note, tech jobs are spreading, both geographically and across fields. Second, AI and automation are increasingly replacing jobs, which opens up new employment opportunities in designing and maintaining the infrastructure of the automation. Their final note of mention? Glassdoor stated, “A second hiring trend we expect to see continue in 2018 is growing tech hiring in ‘non-tech’ industries. According to BLS projections, software developer is projected to be among the fastest growing jobs in the next decade, adding an estimated 253,400 new jobs by 2026” (Glassdoor, 2017).

reasonably predict the next five to 10 years for these industries. As qualified candidates enter their fields, they will be able to find good-paying positions that rely on the progress and job creation of automation and data security. More and more businesses are automating jobs and, in turn, creating more technical job openings that tomorrow’s candidates will be well-prepared to fill. As technologies continue to advance, more and more businesses will adopt this approach of becoming leaner and more efficient through technology. These technical positions will become more ubiquitous with all industries, leading to sustained job growth and competitive salaries.

For future and recent college graduates looking to join a technical field such as software engineering, data security, or AI development, the future is bright.

Technical jobs are spreading across the world and across industries, leading to exciting new opportunities. With low unemployment rates and strong compensation, these job opportunities are a worthwhile goal for college students and graduates. HE

If these trends continue, we can HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

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CAREEROUTLOOK | INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

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| LATINO ATTITUDES TOWARD SILICON VALLEY

Untapped Insights Help Reshape Inclusive Strategies Latino Attitudes Toward Silicon Valley A Big Data report demonstrates diversity in an organization is six times more prominent for Latinos, as well as internal company culture.

Building on the results of the first annual Hispanicize Silicon Valley Rankings that ranked AT&T, HP, Verizon, Dell, and Facebook as the top 5 companies for Latino diversity and inclusion in tech, the analysis of the top Silicon Valley companies was informed by mining the career discussions of Latinos across blogs, career/topical sites, message boards, review sites, and social media destinations over a 12-month period.

Social media only represented 11 percent out of a total universe of 198,597 relevant Hispanic data points analyzed.

Unlike most traditional industry rankings, which rely heavily on self-reported data, CulturIntel’s research platform used big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence tools to mine, segment and make sense out of the digital discussions taking place anytime, anywhere online.

“What we’re finding is those top Silicon Valley companies overwhelmingly lack actionable, Latino-centered insights to decode the drivers and barriers faced

by Hispanic employees and candidates in the tech sector,” said Claudia Romo Edelman, a Latina leader who spearheaded the CuturIntel/Hispanicize research.

www.hispanicengineer.com

“When a company’s workforce is diverse, it is more innovative, creative, and impactful,” said Romo Edelman. “For America to remain competitive, we must empower young Latinos to embrace and love STEM.”

A Big Data report shows why diversity is six times more prominent for Latinos.

According to the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, Latinos represent 4 percent of engineers and scientists and only 8 percent of all certificates and degrees awarded in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

The collaboration between Hispanicize Media Group and CulturIntel, a company co-founded by cultural intelligence™ expert and former corporate executive Liliana Gil Valletta, makes this initiative a pioneering effort to bring a new type of insight to better understand diversity challenges.

“We wanted to disrupt the way traditional insights are mined to empower the sector with actionable information coming straight from the voice of the people,” says Valletta. “The open and unbiased digital discussions of candidates and employees across career sites, topical sites, and forums present one of the richest sources of unbiased, talent-centered intelligence. Beyond employee surveys or self-reported data, these external signals can provide us with untapped insights that can help reshape inclusive recruitment and retention strategies that are candidatecentric.”

An overall analysis of drivers and barriers demonstrates how the factors impacting career experience and sentiment of Latinos are mostly influenced by environmental and relational factors, such as diversity and culture inside the organization. HE

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CAREEROUTLOOK | JOB HORIZON

Widening Scope of

Digital Careers

by Alfred Lewis editors@ccgmag.com

There are wide varieties of technical careers that are in high demand. Countless reports and articles discuss the increased need for qualified candidates in a widening scope of technical careers.

According to Forbes magazine, the most in-demand technical careers focus on two main areas: data security and engineers/developers. These are hot careers at the moment—both areas are blossoming in the face of technical advancements in traditional and nontraditional sectors. Additionally, Business Insider’s list of the most indemand jobs for 2018 included many technical positions, such as full stack developer, computer vision engineer, machine learning engineer, data scientist, and development operation engineer.

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When considering which jobs are in demand across all industries, technical careers are among the highest in the nation. These jobs are also frequently listed as the fastest growing in compensation as well. A Business Insider article on fastest growing pay for 2018 lists technical jobs as four of the top five!

essential to business function. These roles are spilling out into nontraditional markets, which broaden their availability even more. One of the most prevalent new careers in the technical fields is data security as companies quickly realize the massive importance of keeping client and customer data secure.

For engineers and developers, companies are constantly seeking skilled candidates to design IT systems, perform back-end and front-end work, rigorously test new products, and work with a variety of platforms that have become

Where are these exciting types of jobs growing and spreading? The Computing Technology Industry Association’s 2018 report on technical job health in the United States listed the following key findings:

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

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| TECH CAREERS IN DEMAND

By Alfred Lewis | editors@ccgmag.com

State

2017 Est.

Job Gains 2016-2017

California

1,749,400

43,600

Texas

963,400

13,390

Michigan

404,300

13,160

Florida

539,100

12,020

New York

639,500

10,370

Washington

363,500

10,250

North Carolina

335,500

10,100

Massachusetts

416,300

8,130

Georgia

349,700

7,290

Colorado

285,300

6,530

These exciting jobs are growing more in some states than others, as seen above. The right most column shows the total number of tech positions that were created for that year.

• In the United States, there are 11.5 million people employed in tech positions.

• There were 194,000 new jobs added in tech in the past year.

• In the United States, there are currently 1.4 million software and web developers—the largest and fasting growing category of tech jobs.

• The number of posted tech occupation jobs during 2017 reached 2.8 million, with more than 200,000 postings occurring in emerging tech areas.

• The average annual wage of U.S. tech industry workers is $112,890.

This is more than double the average national wage.

• There are 503,000 tech business establishments in the U.S. • Over 34,000 tech startups or new businesses were launched in this year alone.

How can you prepare to enter this field as a new or current college student?

According to a 2016 article in Business Insider, employers in these fields are looking for students that acquire a www.hispanicengineer.com

unique blend of hard and soft skills.

While employers need tech employees that understand such areas as SAP software and SQL databases, they also need candidates that are savvy with sales, business development, and social media. Additionally, candidates that are strong in essential soft skills are valuable members of a workforce.

Candidates should plan on developing and documenting their strengths in collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, exercising wise decision making, and being a good mentee or mentor.

What majors are best suited for entering the technical workforce?

The most in-demand majors for tech employers are information technology management, software engineering, database administration, video-game programming, web development, computer programming, network engineering, game design, system administration, and network management. Consider one of these majors if you’re planning on entering a tech field, and consider what minor degrees or additional endorsements could help bolster your resume. Are you gifted in a STEM content area? Consider

Top 10 States for Tech Positions

Total Workforce

Massachusetts

10.6%

Washington

9.9%

Virginia

9.9%

District of Columbia

9.7%

Colorado

9.7%

Maryland

9.5%

California

9.1%

New Hampshire

8.8%

Michigan

8.7%

Utah

8.6%

Additionally, some states have a higher concentration of tech jobs in relation to their overall employment. The top ten states for percentage of their total workforce being tech positions are above. a minor in math or science to set you apart from the rest of the crowd.

A great way to get connected to a potential employer is through internships and other learn-to-work programs.

Internships offer potential employers a chance to screen and train potential employees and become strong additions to your resume for future openings.

Forbes magazine suggests some key pieces of advice for landing a coveted (and highly competitive) tech internship: apply for every tech internship you find, seek referrals from people you know who are connected to a tech employer, be persistent with recruiters and applications, and be hopeful and optimistic through the lengthy process.

If you are a current or future college student seeking to enter the tech industry, you’ll find strong wages, plentiful employment opportunities, and broad job growth. As a student, look for a solid tech major, and develop your soft skills to attract employers.

Seriously consider an internship at a tech employer, and confidently build your resume. The rewards match the challenges ahead! HE

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CAREEROUTLOOK | JOB HORIZON

TOP20 MOST ADMIRED EMPLOYERS

for Hispanic Engineer Magazine Readers

C

areer Communications Group’s Minority Professional Choice surveys were some of the first in a long line to probe the minds of people in STEM careers from 2000 to 2019.

The focus of CCG’s surveys wasn’t so much on the numbers hired or on a corporate board; it was a deep dive into how professionals “see” a company and what employees really think.

We found more than 33 percent of the survey respondents had attended a Hispanic-Serving Institution or minority institution. While all were professionals, some 65 percent worked in technical fields, with 44 percent having at least ten years of experience. The majority were young, early-career professionals.

Over a 10-year period, readers of CCG magazines such as Hispanic Engineer, Women of Color, and Black Engineer told us their views on diversity efforts, providing new insights on demographics, education, and mentoring. More than two-thirds of minority employees said their employers ran good to excellent diversity , while twenty-four percent said they did a fair job.

Based on their responses, CCG put together an annual list of the Most Admired Employers.

Many of the employers selected by CCG magazine readers are legacy and information age companies, which nurtured diversity during periods of great social and cultural change, building inclusion brick by brick from the boardroom to the laboratory and from the C-suite to the summer intern.

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In CCG’s all-time Professional Choice and Most Admired Employer lists, we find leading aerospace and defense companies and companies such as AT&T, Verizon, HP, Dell, IBM, and Apple.

When it came to fostering growth and opportunities for women and minorities in STEM, more than 50 employers were doing well on workforce diversity, community outreach, STEM efforts, supplier diversity, and diverse representation in the boardroom.

Since Career Communications Group published its first Employers and Professional survey, more surveys are reflecting the voice, values, and dreams of the minority employee. One of the newest is focused on diversity in tech and innovation, digital content, and the entertainment industry.

According to the report, much of Latino tech talent in 2017 was clustered in the major telecommunications service providers, such as AT&T, Inc. and Verizon Communications, yet their numbers remain in single digits across most Silicon Valley companies.

As employers evolve in the digital era, companies named to CCG’s Most Admired Employers/Minority Professional Choice surveys are just as relevant as they were 15 years ago. They have been in the business of transformation for years, and as new companies like Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, Airbnb, Lyft, Uber, Tesla, and Twitter change the way we live, work, and play, they are ensuring a new generation of diverse leaders are helping to reinvent the future.

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

Top 20 Most Admired Employers for Hispanic Engineer Magazine Readers AT&T American Express Bank of America Bechtel Corporation Boeing Cisco Dell ExxonMobil GE General Motors Hewlett-Packard Honeywell IBM Intel L-3 Communications Lockheed Martin Microsoft Northrop Grumman Raytheon Verizon

Top 25 Companies for Latino Inclusion and Diversity in Silicon Valley AT&T HP Verizon Dell Facebook Salesforce Intel Amazon Netflix Sprint Google T-Mobile Microsoft Ebay Apple IBM Samsung Intuit Air BnB Lyft Uber Metro PCS Spotify Tesla Twitter

www.hispanicengineer.com

| TOP 20 MOST ADMIRED EMPLOYERS

www.hispanicengineer.com

HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | FALL 2018

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INNOVATION DRIVEN BY DIVERSITY Diversity of talent, ideas, backgrounds, opinions and beliefs helps our teams make better decisions, build stronger customer relationships and feel more inspired, supported and empowered.

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LEADERSHIP. AT LOCKHEED MARTIN, WE’RE ENGINEERING A BETTER TOMORROW.®

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Learn more at lockheedmartin.com/diversity

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