We were lucky to catch up with Liberty Madison recently and have shared our conversation below.
Liberty, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.
One of my most memorable success stories
Whitney’s Code: A New Horizon in Tech
Whitney, a dedicated school teacher from North Carolina, stood at the threshold of a major life decision. Determined to improve her life, Whitney decided to hang up her teaching hat and dive headfirst into the world of technology. She was ready to leave the familiar comforts of the classroom behind and embark on a journey to become a successful software engineer.
The Dream Begins
Whitney had always been captivated by the logic and structure of mathematics. Her dream was clear: to become a software engineer. However, the path forward was obscured by uncertainties and financial constraints, until Techtonica emerged as a beacon of hope.
A Life-Altering Opportunity
Techtonica offered a life-altering opportunity for women like Whitney, who possessed the drive but lacked the technical background and resources to break into tech. With its six-month, tuition-free tech training and job placement program tailored for women and non-binary individuals with low incomes, Whitney saw this as her gateway to reinvent her career. She applied immediately.
Training for Tomorrow
The program was rigorous. Days at Techtonica were intense, filled with coding challenges, collaborative projects, and sessions that stretched her intellectual limits. Whitney learned to build full-stack applications, delved into the intricacies of data structures, and even dabbled in the subtle art of debugging, which sometimes felt like solving the most intricate of her math puzzles.
Mentorship and Community
What made Techtonica truly special for Whitney was the mentorship and the community. Her mentors—seasoned software engineers from leading tech firms—were her guides, offering insights that only years of experience could bring. Alongside her peers, Whitney found not just friends but allies, all united by a shared vision of changing their lives through technology.
The Turning Point
As the program neared its end, Whitney’s transformation was evident. From a tentative newcomer to a confident coder, she was ready to make her mark. Her big break came when Sony PlayStation recognized her talent and offered her a position as a junior software engineer. It was more than a job; it was the validation of her skills and the start of a new chapter.
Today and Tomorrow
At Sony PlayStation, Whitney is part of a team that shapes the gaming experiences of millions. Every line of code she writes is a building block in the vast digital landscapes gamers explore. Her journey from a math teacher to a software engineer is not just a career shift but a testament to the power of resilience and the right opportunities.
Whitney’s Reflections
Looking back, Whitney often thinks about her days in front of the chalkboard. “Teaching taught me patience and the joy of seeing others succeed. Now, I apply those lessons to my coding,” she reflects. Her advice to others dreaming of a tech career resonates with her journey: “Embrace change, seek opportunities like Techtonica, and never underestimate the power of community.”
Conclusion
As Whitney continues to code and create at Sony PlayStation, her story serves as an inspiring reminder: it’s never too late to chase a new horizon. In the tech world, every line of code holds the promise of a new beginning.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
As the Global Partnerships Manager at Techtonica, I specialize in bridging the gap between major corporations and meaningful social impact initiatives. At Techtonica, we are committed to transforming the lives of women and non-binary adults through rigorous technical training and placement in software engineering roles. My role involves strategizing and fostering partnerships that help companies achieve their workforce development goals while making a tangible difference in the community.
Our partners are crucial because many companies lack the internal resources to undertake such transformative initiatives on their own. They rely on us for comprehensive solutions—from sourcing talent and providing technical training to enhancing soft skills and ensuring successful placements. In return, these partnerships not only help companies exceed their social impact objectives but also enrich their teams with diverse, skilled, and highly motivated tech professionals.
Through my work at Techtonica, I have seen firsthand how strategic collaborations can create win-win situations: empowering individuals with life-changing careers in tech while assisting companies in fulfilling their commitment to social responsibility and diversity.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
An effective strategy for growing our partners at Techtonica involves a combination of deepening existing relationships and strategically expanding our network to include new partners who are aligned with our mission. Here’s how we approach this:
1. Strengthening Relationships Through Success Stories: We leverage the success stories of our graduates to demonstrate the direct impact of our partnerships. By showcasing how our programs have transformed lives and filled crucial skills gaps for our partners, we reinforce the value of our collaboration and encourage continued and expanded involvement.
2. Tailored Solutions for Partners: We work closely with each partner to understand their specific needs and challenges. This allows us to tailor our training programs to fit their unique requirements, ensuring that the talent we cultivate is well-suited to their projects and corporate culture. This bespoke approach not only increases the satisfaction and retention rates but also strengthens our partners’ trust in our ability to deliver.
3. Thought Leadership and Advocacy: By actively participating in industry conferences, panels, and seminars, we position ourselves as thought leaders in workforce development and diversity in tech. This visibility helps attract new partners who are looking for proven solutions to enhance their social impact and diversity initiatives.
4. Data-Driven Insights: We continuously gather and analyze data from our programs to better understand the outcomes and refine our approach. Sharing these insights with current and prospective partners helps demonstrate our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, making the partnership more attractive.
5. Expanding Network through Strategic Alliances: We actively seek alliances with other organizations, such as educational institutions, non-profits, and community groups, which can serve as conduits to new partnerships. These alliances not only expand our reach but also enrich our programs with diverse perspectives and resources.
By employing these strategies, we not only grow our network of partners but also enhance the quality and impact of our partnerships, ensuring that both Techtonica and our partners achieve their goals of making a significant social impact through technology training and employment.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
In the ever-evolving tech landscape, resilience is key—not just for individuals but for organizations too. A great example of this at Techtonica is the recent launch of our new initiative, Techtonica Consulting. This innovative program was born out of a need to adapt to the shifting market dynamics, particularly the increasing demand for practical, project-based experience in the tech industry.
As we navigated the challenges posed by these market shifts, we recognized an opportunity to enhance the real-world applicability of our training. Techtonica Consulting was our proactive response. Under this program, our experienced senior software engineering team supervises participants who bring external projects to fruition. This setup provides dual benefits: it supports our partners’ existing technical teams and serves as a comprehensive technical solution when needed.
This initiative is especially beneficial for our participants. It offers them a golden opportunity to build a substantial real-world portfolio while earning an income. The projects are diverse and challenging, equipping participants with hands-on experience that is highly valued in the industry. For our partners, it’s a chance to engage with fresh talent who are not only trained but also mentored by seasoned professionals, ensuring quality and reliability.
The inception of Techtonica Consulting illustrates how we, as an organization, embody resilience. We recognized a gap, adapted our approach, and created a solution that not only meets the current market needs but also fortifies the career paths of our participants and adds value to our partners. It’s a testament to our commitment to continually evolve and strengthen our impact in the tech community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://techtonica.org/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/techtonicaorg
- Facebook: facebook.com/Techtonica
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtonica
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/techtonicaorg
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TechtonicaOrg/videos
- Other: https://medium.com/techtonica