Women currently make up about 21% of the computer science profession in the United States. Our BMCC alumni in this field have found many opportunities and fulfilling work in this field. Here are a few of them:
Chanthea Quinland
Year of graduation: 2021
Major: Computer Science
Update: I graduated from Smith College in Spring 2023 with my Bachelor’s degree. My next step is to attend Carleton University in the Fall to pursue my Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, with a focus on cybersecurity for young people. I first became interested in cybersecurity during my time at BMCC and have continued to pursue it both inside and outside the classroom. My goal is to work in cybersecurity education and awareness, with the aim of helping others safely navigate the internet. Additionally, I am interested in penetration testing to assess the security of systems and find ways to enhance them.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanthea-quinland/
Advice for women considering a career in computer science: The world of Computer Science and Technology as a whole is very vast. The biggest misconception I had was that, due to studying CS, I had to pursue Software Engineering. However, I am now studying and interning in Cybersecurity and enjoying it immensely. I say that to emphasize that once you find your calling in Computer Science, the possibilities become endless. It’s also the type of journey that you don’t have to do alone. Be open to seeking mentorship and joining communities of your peers that can help you on your journey.
Tara Whirley
Year of graduation: 2021
Major: Computer Science
Update: I am currently a Full-stack Software Engineer at Mellon BNY, working part-time, while pursuing a B.A. in Computer Science at Columbia University. I am taking the Applications Track, with a focus on building full-stack applications. After doing two internships at Bank of New York Mellon, I was hired to work as a Full-stack Software Engineer part-time. I look forward to graduating next year and taking on a full-time role as a developer. I would love to motivate more women to study computer science. I hope to make future connections and inspire people to find their passion in coding like I did.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-whirley/
Advice for women considering a career in computer science: Be engaged in lectures and ask questions! Also, be creative and innovative; don’t be afraid to come up with a new way of doing things. Mentorship and internships are very important. I did a mentorship before my first internship at Bank of New York Mellon. I had a great experience; I received a lot of help with my resume and had ample practice with interviewing. Doing side projects is also very important for building your LinkedIn and resume. Finally, practice coding regularly to gain confidence. Remember, there’s always a solution, and as you gain experience, you’ll get better at finding it.
Liron Hayon
Year of graduation: 2021
Major: Computer Science
Update: I am a Software Engineer at the tech company Rivery. After Graduating with a 4.0 GPA, I transferred to Columbia University, where I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liron-hayon/
Advice for women considering a career in computer science: Be confident in your interest and passion for technology. Don’t let stereotypes or societal expectations discourage you. Your enthusiasm and dedication will be your driving force. Connect with other women in tech.
Elsa Cifuentes
Year of graduation: 2018
Major: Computer Information Systems
Update: I am a Cloud Engineer at Oracle. In 2018, I graduated with honors from Borough of Manhattan Community College with an Associate degree in Computer Information Systems. This was a big step for me as a first-generation Latina committed to a career in technology. In the summer of 2019, I took a bootcamp course to become a Java Core Application Developer. The following year, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Computer Information Systems at Baruch College. In 2021, I added another important skill to my portfolio — project management. I earned my Master Project Manager (MPM) certification from the American Academy of Project Management. Since July 2021, I’ve been working as a Cloud Engineer at Oracle, applying all the skills I’ve learned.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elsacifuentes/
Advice for women interested in this field: It’s been a challenging but rewarding journey, showing me that anyone can succeed in technology with hard work and determination.
Britania Rose
Year of graduation: 2018
Major: Computer Science
Update: I work as a Solution Engineer at General Motors, and my responsibilities include provisioning servers, scripting, and managing both front-end and back-end web development. I completed my academic studies at SUNY Binghamton University and received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. During my time at university, I worked as an R&D engineer at ARL, where I conducted research and experiments on Apache Kafka to facilitate data transfer between application instances.
Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/britania-rose-272007134/
Advice for women considering a career in computer science: There are so many career options available in the field of Computer Science. It’s important to keep an open mind and take the time to discover which path feels right for you. Don’t hesitate to explore and see where your passion takes you!
Inna Yedzinovich
Year of graduation: 2018
Major: Computer Science
Update: I am a Software Engineer at J.P. Morgan. After BMCC I received a Bachelor of Science in Computer from Brooklyn college. Prior to my current position, I worked as a software engineer at the NYC Office of the Mayor and Kforce.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yedzinovich/
Advice for women considering a career in computer science: Follow your passion computer science, embrace the challenges that come your way, never stop learning and seeking help when needed, and above all, have fun along your journey!
Jody Simpson
Year of graduation: 2017
Major: Computer Science
Update: I am currently a software engineer at Google. Prior to this I assisted with research at Brazil’s Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana – UEFS, analyzing transportation data for a new system. This work was a continuation of research I assisted with while at BMCC. I obtained a Bachelors degree in Computer Science from NYU. While at NYU, I co-founded CS+ Social Good @ NYU to connect capable CS students at NYU to non-profits across the city. I am deeply committed to social impact work, especially in the Caribbean. I dedicate time to two main orgs: Techports.org, which I founded, and WiTC, where I am co-director.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simpsonjr/.
Tiguidanke Diakite
Year of graduation: 2017
Major: Computer Network Technology
Update: I am Lead Platform Engineer at the Depository Trust and Clearing Organization. Prior to this position I was a network security engineer. After graduating from BMCC, I obtained my Bachelors degree in Computer Science and Information Security at John Jay-CUNY.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiguidanke-diakite22/
Advice for women interested in this field: The computer science field has diverse opportunities for careers. However, it’s lacking the presence of females in large numbers. I would encourage women who wants to pursue a career in this area to go for it. It is becoming a very flexible workplace. Many companies offer hybrid work (a few days in office, a few days at home). which I love and appreciate as a working mom. The field can be tough at times, but that should not stop us from pursuing a career that has a lot of potential for us. I am happy to connect and support interested candidates for computer science. You can reach me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiguidanke-diakite22.
Gabriella Uwadiegwu
Year of graduation: 2017
Major: Computer Science
Update: I am currently a Senior Software Engineer at Carta. Previously I was a Software Engineer at Twitch (Amazon), Synchrony Financial and Spade. I founded a non-profit supporting women in tech (Wetech) and was the organizer of the largest conference in Nigeria. Additionally, I was a Founding Partner at Archangel Fund, which invests in tech companies founded by women in Africa.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriella-uwadiegwu/
Advice for women considering a career in computer science: Don’t ever think you’re too small to achieve anything great. ALL the women I knew studying computer science at BMCC work at and are excelling in the largest tech institutions in the world: Microsoft, Google etc. Don’t settle for less. Dream big and do it. Attend the Grace Hopper Conference to get enlightened.
Samantha Medrano
Year of graduation: 2013
Major: Science
Update: I am a manager at Apple and newly Certified UX Designer.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthamedrano/
Advice for women considering a career in computer science: Embrace new opportunities. Despite my initial focus on health professions, I took a chance on learning about technology and computer science. Surprisingly, this opened up a world of fulfilling work that aligned with my passions of art and design. So, don’t be afraid to explore beyond your comfort zone and discover the exciting possibilities that computer science can offer.
