Transforming Tech & Championing Diversity

In this episode of The Student Guide, we talk with Ama Annan, an Info Transformational Specialist at Accenture. Ama shares her journey transitioning from law to a career in technology consulting. Through personal anecdotes, such as conquering her fear of driving, Ama illustrates the powerful message of 'do it scared.' The discussion delves into her role at Accenture where she helps organisations navigate digital transformation while advocating for inclusive practices. Emma also highlights the importance of networking, overcoming challenges as an introverted individual, and promoting diversity in the tech industry.

Transcript

Speaker 7: [00:00:00] Do it scared. 

Speaker 9: Mm. 

Speaker 7: Because at the end of the day, someone else is gonna do it or life is gonna happen anyway, so you might as well just do it scared because you'd rather do it that way or than have regrets kind of thing. I remember one key time, again, it has nothing to do with technology. I'd just passed my driving, um, license and my dad, he'd gotten off the, um, plane to Ghana so he needed someone to go and pick him up 

Speaker 10: and.

Speaker 7: I was like, mom, I can't drive on the motorway. I'm so scared. Like I dunno how to do this. And she was, again, she kind of said to me, she was like, well, I did it when I was your age. I just kind of got in the car, like I was freaking out and I just did it. So she was like, you just go and you do that scared.

Speaker 7: And I was the same freaking out on the motorway. But I got there and I picked my dad up and it was absolutely fine, you know? So it was kind of like. Sort of doing things scared again. You kind of feel that sense of accomplishment afterwards and um, I guess it's better to do it than have the regret of not trying anyway, you know.

Speaker 12: Hi everyone. Maybe we're doing well. [00:01:00] Hope we're looking after ourselves. Welcome to another episode of The Student Guide. We are cruising through all the episodes. Uh, we are. I believe on episode seven of recording. Maybe this will be seventh in the audio that it comes out. Maybe not. We will see. Um, but it's been great.

Speaker 12: It's been a great season so far, and we're bringing on another amazing guest speaker to talk about. Another amazing topic. As you know, I don't like doing introductions because I think it's best for us to hear from these amazing individuals themselves. So instead, I'm gonna hand over to today's guest for the episode.

Speaker 12: Uh, hi Emma. It's great to meet you. Could you let us know a bit more about you and what you 

Speaker 7: do? Yeah. So, hey guys. I'm Emma, um, so Emma Annon. So I work as an info transformational specialist at Accenture. I know that's a huge mouthful, but essentially I'm just a technology consultant at the big company, Accenture.

Speaker 12: Perfect. That's amazing. And we will be diving into your incredible journey because, uh, there are. Changes, transitions from one field of study to another. Uh, but we'll get into that in just one moment. Uh, instead [00:02:00] we're gonna go on to the first segment of the episode, which are avid listeners and viewers will know, which is the, uh, almost I got their name.

Speaker 12: But it is 44 questions, uh, brought to you by the amazing Manda from 44 words. And she has come up with an amazing question to, for us to find out a bit more about you am, which is how do you define success? 

Speaker 7: Oh, that's a really good question actually. How do I define success? I think in terms of success, it's one of those things where it's kind of like something that's not quite linear and it's something that I feel like you always build upon.

Speaker 7: Mm-hmm. I don't really feel like there's like a one sort of, um. Concise, um, sort of goal for success or for me anyway, I feel as though to be successful is just to kind of wake up every day. Do your best, kind of like tick off the small goals. And then I guess in the bigger picture, when you kind of look back at what you've done and where you've come, that is success in itself.

Speaker 7: So it's kind of like [00:03:00] me having a look at all the transitions that I've done. I might be sitting there thinking to myself, oh, I don't feel successful, or I don't feel like I've gone anywhere. But it's kind of like. Me sat here versus me in 2022. Still kind of like doing my degree, not really knowing what I'm doing, like this is successful.

Speaker 7: Do you know what I mean? 

Speaker 12: Yeah. That's really cool. And I think, like you said there, it's like, uh, I like the death, like you said there of success. Also, I think we've asked people this question before, so this isn't to say anyone else's response isn't good or any future people's responses isn't good, but I think I really like that you highlighted that.

Speaker 12: I think sometimes people feel like success is like a goal. Yeah. So it's like, oh, you know. When I, I don't know, make a certain amount of money mm-hmm. When I move out and own my own house, when I get married, all of this stuff. Like, that's what makes me successful. But I like you said that like no, it's actually like success is an ongoing process.

Speaker 12: Yeah. And then there might be milestones along that way that like, 

Speaker 7: that can hit, you can bump it up kind of thing. Exactly. 

Speaker 12: And I think that's really cool. Um, it's not one of the questions here, but I think based on your answer, it'll be amazing to know. Mm-hmm. [00:04:00] What is. Is there a, a recent milestone that you would say has contributed towards your success?

Speaker 12: Like something that you've ticked off in your journey of success that you're just like, yeah, 

Speaker 7: this has been a really cool 

Speaker 12: achievement. 

Speaker 7: Do you know what actually, so I think about two weeks ago I was doing speed mentoring at Next Tech Girls first. Okay. And I'd always sat there again when I was in the middle of transitioning, I was always sort of like the mentee.

Speaker 7: Mm-hmm. So I was always the person on the other side. 

Speaker 10: Mm-hmm. 

Speaker 7: And it was something for me, I was kind of like, all these women have given up their time to give something to me and sort of like given up all of their time. I really wanna give something back. Mm-hmm. And I feel like that moment in time, me sort of sitting there and them sort of being in the sort of student space was kind of like a, okay, I've made it kind of thing.

Speaker 7: Like I'm actually giving back now. Like they're looking up to me, which is crazy, but it was like, oh my gosh. Like I'm actually achieving what I wanted to achieve. 

Speaker 12: So, yeah. That's incredible. Yeah. That's really cool. And I think, like you said, there's, that's, uh, one of the things that I love about mentoring is, like you said, especially when you [00:05:00] see.

Speaker 12: Your growth of being, going from like mentee to mentor. Mm-hmm. Um, because yeah, I always tell people like, you've always got like experience, knowledge, um, even like, even if you feel like you've not, and I guess linked to that whole idea of success. Yeah. Um, you might not necessarily feel like you've been successful, but you've got, like, you've gone through stuff that you know, like, Hey, if you do this, it's actually gonna lead you down, like mm-hmm.

Speaker 20: A 

Speaker 12: you a non successsful route. Um, and very quickly, I'll say this before we go into the questions is I know that like, for example, uh, through my workplace, we, we have a masterclass, which was on like lessons from a failed entrepreneur. Mm. And the person who delivers it is just like, Hey, I'm the vice president for this company, but I have tried to start up a business myself four times and they've all failed.

Speaker 12: Wow. And I'm gonna tell you why. Uh, so you can learn from my essence. And I really loved that session because it was just like an honest, um, approach to entrepreneurship. But also it was saying that like, Hey, you know, sometimes things don't work out, but that doesn't, that's fine. Yeah. That's a hundred percent fine.

Speaker 12: So, yeah. Thank you very much. Um, we will now go on to question number one, uh, which is all [00:06:00] about, as I mentioned, your transition from mm-hmm. From law to digital tech. Mm-hmm. Digital tech. Um. What inspired that shift and how did you, how did it lead to your new, well maybe not new, but your role at At architecture at Ture.

Speaker 12: Accenture. Accenture, sorry. Yes. How did that, what inspired the shift and then essentially how did that lead to this new role? 

Speaker 7: So I think, um, when I was studying law. Mm-hmm. So I did my undergrad and then I'd also started my LPC. Mm-hmm. And I think the biggest thing was kind of going out and actually trying it.

Speaker 7: So sort of doing those vacation schemes. Doing the bits of work experience and sitting in it practically. So I was like, I really, really love the theoretical aspect of law. So sort of like learning the laws, the background and everything else. But when I was actually going and sitting in these jobs and doing the vacation schemes, I was kind of like, this isn't quite like hit.

Speaker 7: It's not really getting the scratch that I really need from it. Um, and then I was kind of like, um, so where I graduated, I [00:07:00] graduated right into the thick of COVID, so everything was locked down. Okay. Right. But then at the same time, right, technology picked up, like, it literally skyrocketed because everything was on Zoom, everything was on Skype.

Speaker 7: Everyone had to like do everything like virtually, right? So I was kind of like, hmm, if I don't really like. And I'm really low key in this for money. Why don't I do something that's gonna make me money that's like booming and interesting right now? And I always kind of say to people as well. Um, it was quite interesting.

Speaker 7: So I always used to watch, um, what was it called? Criminal Minds. I don't know you've ever seen it. Yeah, great. Great show. Right? Great show. And everyone was like, oh yeah, you used to do that. You used to watch that because of Laura. And he was like, super interested. I was like, no. I was really interested in the um, analyst who in the background, sort of like doing all the coding and stuff.

Speaker 7: I always thought she was really cool. Yeah. 

Speaker 10: So I 

Speaker 7: was kind of like. Why not like pluck that interest and put it into something that I actually want to do. 

Speaker 10: Mm-hmm. 

Speaker 7: Because again, I feel like law was super inspired by, as you know, you know, like brown parents always like, you have to be a lawyer, you have to be a doctor.

Speaker 7: You know, there was always that pressure of it [00:08:00] and I was like, this isn't actually something I find very interesting, so why not try something new? 

Speaker 20: Yeah. 

Speaker 7: And so one of the law firms that I was kind of like working with at the time, Clifford Chance, um, they had introduced a, um. Uh, sort of like pilot scheme for, um, engineering.

Speaker 7: Okay. So it was within their IT department. So it was within law where I'm comfortable. It was in a law firm and it was in technology and it was a graduate scheme. So there was like no pressure on us to like know everything. So I was like, do you know what? Why not? So I kind of went for it. I got the role.

Speaker 7: So I did two years there learning, um, just like hardcore engineering, so cybersecurity, infrastructure engineering, desktop engineering. All, all of that sort of hardcore stuff. And I sat there and I thought to myself, this is a lot. Mm, this is a lot for someone who's not technical. 

Speaker 10: Mm. 

Speaker 7: So I, um, went to the Black TechFest, um.

Speaker 7: And again, I kind of went there alone, just like, again, just kind of like having a look at what was out there. 'cause again, once you get into [00:09:00] technology, there's so much in technology and if you're someone who doesn't know, like it is a whirlwind of stuff. So I kind of walked around and I saw a company ServiceNow, which was my prior company.

Speaker 7: Mm-hmm. Um, and I knew that I'd worked with them on the desk, sort of like behind. 

Speaker 10: Mm. 

Speaker 7: And I spoke to one of the recruiters. Recruiters, and it was, again, a funny story. I always tell people the only reason I went to that desk was because she had Harry bows on the table, and I really wanted some Harry bows.

Speaker 7: So we kind of joked around about the Harry bows and X, Y, and Z. But in telling her my kind of story, she was like. You've actually got the perfect skillset for a role that we have open. Okay, so you've kind of got the soft skills of a lawyer sort of speaking to people, but you've also got the technical knowledge to translate that back to sort of like stakeholders and stuff.

Speaker 7: And this would be perfect for Solutions Consulting. Now I'd never heard of that, um, but she was like, give it a go. Why not like X, Y, and Z. And she was one of my biggest cheerleaders sort of throughout the process. So again, went through the process, got the role. I went through the ServiceNow Academy for that.[00:10:00] 

Speaker 7: Okay. And then I was in the world of sales, which was, again, crazy because me, I thought I was an introvert. Mm-hmm. So I was like me in, in front of boardrooms. Trying to sell things to people was crazy. But again, the skills and things that I kind of picked up from that were super, super valuable. Mm-hmm. So like adaptability.

Speaker 7: Sort of like just going out of your comfort zone in X, Y, and Z. And then from that consulting role is where I kind of, um, pivoted into Accenture because they are one of the implementation partners for ServiceNow. So still kind of within the ecosystem, but yeah. Yeah, that's how I got there. 

Speaker 12: That sounds really cool.

Speaker 12: I will respond to that. Uh, with the video thing, I've asked Alfreda to message me if she's here. She hasn't gotten back to me, so I would say, let's keep going. Um, if she doesn't say anything, if I don't see anything from her at like ten two, that's when I'll say we can just stop and then you can just take that camera.

Speaker 12: But yeah, feel free. Yeah, yeah. Feel free to, I'm literally like gonna be in, in the next like hour and two hours, so Yeah. Don't worry about it. [00:11:00] Um, I'll edit all of that fun stuff out. Um, thank you for that. I think as you mentioned, like I think one. There's like a overarching thing that I wanna highlight, and then there's specific things.

Speaker 12: The overarching thing is I think, uh, the reason why I like, uh, stories like yours is because one. It's a clear, like, I know people say it's like a age old thing now, but like your degree doesn't define you. And I think you really showed, like through your journey, like, oh, I don't have to, like, just 'cause I've got a law degree doesn't mean I have to stick within the world of law.

Speaker 12: Mm-hmm. Um, and I tell people that because I think, like you mentioned, like sometimes you might be more passionate about something else. So you, like you said, like with you, you, you know, you're thinking about tech. Um, for others they might be like, oh, I love the creative industries. For someone else it might be they love, um.

Speaker 12: I don't know, maybe they love acting. They wanna get into acting, and I feel like people do feel like they're either ACOM as similar as you mentioned with your, like the scheme that your workplace did of like combining two different industries. People feel like the AO don't exist, or B, those are like.

Speaker 12: Hidden away. Mm. Um, and I do agree that sometimes some of [00:12:00] these things are not like well promoted. Um, but I think, like you said there, that there's always like an opportunity to even like research. Like, oh, okay, cool. I've got skills in X, Y, and Z. Maybe I've, like I mentioned, like I've studied biomedical science, but actually I'm really into, um, set designing.

Speaker 7: Mm-hmm. 

Speaker 12: What other like roles? Yeah. Transferring 

Speaker 7: skills, right? 

Speaker 12: A hundred percent. So I think that's really key. And I think the second thing is, as you said, like, um. Well, actually, yeah. Second thing. And then I have one more point and then I'll go into the next question. I think the second point is, as you mentioned going into is like putting yourself outside of your comfort zone.

Speaker 12: So as you mentioned, you know, you said you were quite introverted, being able to like then go out and do sales, um, must have been quite intimidating, especially because, uh, this, this is a wild assumption, but based on what the factors for today's episode, which I'll go into a bit later, um, I'm assuming.

Speaker 12: There weren't that many people that looked like you in the rooms. That's all. Yep. So again, that's even more intimidating. Yeah. Because there's no connection. So, but to be able to get to that stage and then we all talk about it later, because you also [00:13:00] have done public speaking too. Um. That must be incredible.

Speaker 12: 'cause you're now you can, as you were talking before earlier mm-hmm. About this whole idea of success. Mm-hmm. You've seen how you've grown and developed and become more confident in what you do. And then the very final thing that I wanted to touch on was when you mentioned like the, at the festival, like going to the stand, like I feel like sometimes people do feel like just those, like one-off or like.

Speaker 12: Those conversations with people that you meet at maybe career festivals? Mm-hmm. Or whether it's like, uh, like you said, like at these big tech conferences that happen. Like you can't, there's no way that you'll get like employment opportunities or you'll build a connection with someone that could lead to, if you are, I know, running a business, maybe investment or like collaborations or whatever.

Speaker 12: Mm-hmm. But you know, your story is a clear example that. Isn't the case. That is true that you can meet all these people. 

Speaker 7: It's crazy. One conversation can change your life. A hundred percent. A hundred percent. And again, leading to that, uh, LinkedIn as well. I'll shout out LinkedIn as a very powerful connection at all, because even the role at Accenture, I, I don't think you'll mind me shouting him out.

Speaker 7: Prince, I [00:14:00] reached out to Prince on LinkedIn. We have no connections. We're not friends or anything. I simply just sent him a message saying, I'm super interested in this job. Here are my roles. Do you mind having a conversation with me? We clicked immediately and he really, really helped me out with sort of like the process of going through that.

Speaker 7: And again, just that one conversation made everything sort of like, um, go really quickly and like in my favor, you know? Yeah. That's a really fun. So, yeah. 

Speaker 12: Thank you so much. Um, we're gonna go onto the second question, which is all about driving transformation and inclusion. So. You know, let's talk a bit more about your current role.

Speaker 12: How do you help organizations navigate digital transformation while also advocating for inclusive practices, particularly for underrepresented women in tech? That was a very long question. 

Speaker 7: It was a very 

Speaker 12: long, so, uh, so, okay. So. Essentially. 

Speaker 20: Mm-hmm. 

Speaker 12: Uh, through your, through, you know, your role mm-hmm. And your organization.

Speaker 12: Mm-hmm. [00:15:00] You do a lot of work to help organizations navigate the digital space. 

Speaker 20: Yes. 

Speaker 12: So how do you help them to navigate that through, I guess, a, so not only just navigating digital transformation, but also advocating for inclusive practices within those organizations. 

Speaker 20: Mm-hmm. 

Speaker 12: Particularly for underrepresented women in the field of tech.

Speaker 7: So, um, I think a really good example would be, um, a project that we're working on to do with, um, Microsoft, um, just Microsoft copilot in general. Mm-hmm. But there's, um, accessibility features that are quite hidden. Okay. Within the actual application. So, for example, um. I don't think it's necessarily specific to women, but for example, like if somebody had dyslexia, there's certain things that you can turn on in there if somebody had maybe like hard of hearing or different things like that.

Speaker 7: And we've kind of gone through and we've kind of compiled like a whole sort of, um, platform. So it is not only we are coming in, we're implementing the technology. You've got to buy this, you've got to do that. Right. Yeah. We are [00:16:00] kind of like being a lot more considerate of. I guess neurodiverse individuals, people with maybe learning disabilities or anything that they sort of want, and we've got like a whole accessibility deck.

Speaker 7: I'd even learned a lot from that because I had no idea how much you could actually turn on within all of these different applications. And it, I feel like it's also really easy to be overlooked because again, um, a lot of us are quite neurotypical and kind of thing. We never sort of think like, oh, um, a colored background would help somebody read something super quickly.

Speaker 7: Right. I know, um, you guys probably know Donna. She's got dyslexia, right. Things like that. And people like her as well. Things can, small things can really, really help sort of push them along. Mm-hmm. So I think the all, um, inklings like that are really useful. 

Speaker 12: A hundred percent. And I think even, like you mentioned, like one of, one of the organizations that work at my workplace, they support like Neurodiverse creatives.

Speaker 20: Mm-hmm. 

Speaker 12: And they host an event. And I, when I talk about, like, like you said about the. Importance of inclusive practices. Mm-hmm. This was really a key example of this. So they mentioned that for some people [00:17:00] who are neurodiverse, so we as an organization, we host events is a bit of context and we were just like, okay, cool, um, let me let 'em host their event.

Speaker 12: And they were just like, okay, cool. Everyone just let you know in 10 minutes we're gonna make an announcement. And we were just like, okay, what's the, what's going on here? They're just like, uh, in five minutes you're gonna get an announcement. And then they made their announcement and then afterwards my team manager spoke to them and they said, oh, the reason why is 'cause some people are neurodiverse.

Speaker 12: Don't like a oh out the blue, like we're making this announcement. They like to know that there's going to be something in advance. And we were just like, wow, this is really interesting. Because like you said, it's something that if you are not neuro diverse, you will, you don't think about it, you're kind of 

Speaker 7: glaze over it.

Speaker 7: Normal life. 

Speaker 12: Right? A hundred percent. So I think, like you said there, it's really key to like, that's why I always highlight the importance of inclusive practices. Mm-hmm. And even whether you are working on a business, whether you are working organization, whatever it may be. Mm-hmm. That's the power of like having.

Speaker 12: A diverse group of people in the room or like when you're working on practices or policies and things like that because there's so much that you can actually like gain and learn from having a wide [00:18:00] group of people. So, 

Speaker 7: no, a hundred percent. And we do, um, I think it's every month. I'm not entirely sure, but there's like an inclusive learning workshop that they kind of run as well.

Speaker 7: Oh wow. So they kind of get all the people from our team and we can kind of. Log on, log off, um, depending on your schedule. Right? And they kind of put examples of maybe like microaggressions or like different things like that to just kind of like, um, make everyone sort of aware. And another really cool thing that I just found out is that, um, Accenture actually give its employees, um, access to sort of be diagnosed with neurodiversity.

Speaker 7: So they actually kind of pay for that to sort of see like, if you think there might be something up, like they give you the means to be able to go and get that diagnosis. So it's really cool. Yeah. 

Speaker 12: And it's really inclusive. Yeah. Because, uh. No, not every workplace does that. So, uh, so yeah, that's really incredible as a workplace that there's supporting, like, you're not only through your work supporting others, but as an organization they also want to support you, which is really cool.

Speaker 12: Yeah. No, it's really good. Um, we're gonna go onto to our new segment, the Season Treasure Talks, brought to you by the amazing Alex, uh, from Figure Out the MIC team. [00:19:00] Um, and uh, again, you will see. In typical fashion, I have forgotten this episode two. It has been a busy life. Uh, I went on holiday and, uh, practices slipped, but I'm back and I'm, I'm in the, in the zone.

Speaker 12: So, uh, Emma doesn't have a her product with us. We will have a nice picture that appears on the screen at some point. Uh, but Emma, what is the, uh, what could you let us know what your object is and what it represents to you? 

Speaker 7: So my object is, um, do you know what my object is? My cat? Mm-hmm. He's called Skittles.

Speaker 7: He's six years old and he is, um, I'd say he's definitely something that keeps me going a lot of the time. So, um, I wrote a little note in my book. The other day. Um, so I do a lot of like journaling and stuff like that. So a lot of the time when I feel like really down and really like depressed in bed and things like that, he's actually the person, funnily enough, who makes me come out of bed because obviously he can't feed himself.

Speaker 7: So someone has to do that for him. So he is like my little. [00:20:00] Motivator. He is my little cheerleader in the corner. Like he follows me around all the time. He appears in all of my meetings all the time. I'm pretty sure everyone kind of knows Skittles by now. And um, interestingly enough, um, so I was speaking to my mum the other day.

Speaker 7: She had a ginger cat at the same age as me. She's patchy. My screensaver with the ginger cat. Oh, nice. Yeah. That really cool. Yeah. So, um, I'd say my object is my cat. Skittles. 

Speaker 12: Okay. Wow, that's really incredible. Yeah. Um, to be honest, first animal we've had Oh, really? So far? Yeah. First animal we've had so far.

Speaker 12: Shower skills. Yeah. Shower skills. Um. I guess my, I guess it's what's really nice is that, like you said, there is, I think sometimes, like I have, I personally have not had a pet, but I love pets. Mm. Uh, I, I have an idea of the pet I want when I move out, so I, I'm looking forward to, to living that life. Um, but I think, like you said, like that's the power of pets.

Speaker 12: Like there are, like, even you see it with like, whether it's like with therapy dogs, with guide dogs, or like any animal, to be [00:21:00] fair, like there is such a, like, it's, it's, it's not like, just like with, like you said, like with dogs. Like if you have a dog, you need to take your dog for a walk so it can let you walk.

Speaker 12: But there's something like, like you said, like just like. Like they, they, they can, they can detect things. Yeah. And I know like my, uh, well, I'm Nigerian and my parents always say like, um, within like, draw culture, like that's why they like, particularly with like dogs, I know, like my parents say that. They love dogs for it is that they said that like, you know, they, the dogs are very much in tune with like people's emotions.

Speaker 12: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. You know, if a dog, a dog can really tell, like if someone's like down and the person might not be like walking around like exactly super upset or they might be smiling, but the dog will be like, sense. 

Speaker 7: Yeah. Mm-hmm. 

Speaker 12: So I think that's what I like about pets and it's incredible to see, even with Skittles, you know, Skittles is, uh, you know, like.

Speaker 12: I say, I would say, I say pets of people's best friends. Um, you know, it's incredible. A hundred percent. So yeah, it's really incredible to see. Um, we are now gonna go onto the next question, but before we go into that question, I'll start off with [00:22:00] mic check our fact or figure or story related to the episode today.

Speaker 12: Uh, and this one, uh, is all about essentially the tech workforce in the uk. And it says, uh, only 24% of the tech workforce in the UK are women. And black women are significantly underrepresented in senior roles, which is make, which makes the, a focus on diversity driven tech leadership essential for equity and inclusion within the tech sector.

Speaker 12: Um, I think so. I think that fact highlights the importance for advocating for voices within that space. And you have spoken as you men what, as you've mentioned at Black TechFest, where you are recognized for opening doors and amplifying black women in tech. So my question to you is what key lessons or moments from those, from that experience continue to resonate with you day to day?

Speaker 7: From the experience at the Black Tech list? Yeah. Okay. So I think, uh, an experience that resonates is [00:23:00] the, um, probably the amount of people who've reached out to me since then, just in similar situations to my own and, um. Just kind of not knowing what to do or where to navigate or what to do, and sort of like being that person.

Speaker 7: Who's kind of like done it and kind of like made it right? Um, I'd say, um, even after I'd just done the talk, the amount of people that I've kind of like gone to the ServiceNow booth afterwards, just kind of asking questions or just being really intrigued about the, um, solutions consulting role that I kind of described because of the fact that it's, like you said, one of those things that aren't really well.

Speaker 7: Um, I guess promoted or they're sort of like hidden and it's kind of interesting that, um, a lot of people have those kind of transferable skills, but it's just where to look for 

Speaker 20: them. 

Speaker 7: Um, so yeah, I'd say that's definitely one of the things that I take away. Cool. Another thing that I probably take away is the fact that, um, like I said, kind of like looking back, being that sort of introverted [00:24:00] person, um, and kind of like making my way forward or like making the steps forward into.

Speaker 7: I guess not being introverted, but it's not necessarily a bad thing being an introvert, right? Mm-hmm. But it's kind of like the way that I'm able to sort of like, speak for myself, sort of, um, call out things for myself and kind of like look at my younger self, sort of being in the corner. 

Speaker 10: Mm-hmm. 

Speaker 7: Not wanting to speak, not wanting to raise my hand, like, um.

Speaker 7: Just, it's just crazy to kind of be here. Like if I told my like 20-year-old self, like, you're gonna be on a podcast, I'd be like, not me. Definitely not me. I would've shied away and not agreed to that at all. Wow. So it's kind of just like, um, taking away that sort of thing of, like you said, with the success, just like being proud of myself at every moment.

Speaker 7: Right. Yeah. And sort of giving myself a pat on the back, you know? Yeah. So, 

Speaker 12: yeah, I think that's really cool. And I think, like you said, um, it is always like the, so two things. One, I think it's really key, like you said, the. You know, people have also followed up with you. Mm-hmm. Uh, people have mentioned that on the podcast as their takeaway.

Speaker 12: We will be getting to the takeaway soon, [00:25:00] so don't worry you have your message to take home with you. Um, but people have mentioned that they're like, their biggest issue with networking events or like festivals is people will be like, oh, cool, like, let's connect. And then they'll be like, cool, I've got this connection.

Speaker 12: And then they're like, have you followed up with them? Yeah. If the person, like if you met the person, they said, I love what you do. It's a great conversation. Have you sent them a LinkedIn message to be like, Hey, it was great meeting you. Love to discuss whatever a bit further. Um, you know. Have you maybe, you know, done a post and maybe said, Hey, it was great going to this event.

Speaker 12: I met so and so. Looking forward to seeing how things go with them. Um, as you mentioned, like, uh, one of our guests for last season, he specifically, uh, so he's runs business and he says the way he does his business is he doesn't connect. He, he's not a LinkedIn person. He was like, I'm connecting with you with your phone number.

Speaker 12: Uh, we are going to, I will give you a call so we can book in a time to book stuff in. Uh, but he was very much just like, my biggest advice is I don't wait until like, I, I prefer like direct contact. Yes. And he said if they don't want it, then fine, I'll do email, other stuff. But he's just like, look, if, [00:26:00] if I know, like if we are having a really good time, we are connecting via like we're getting exchange of numbers.

Speaker 12: We're calling that way. And I said, that's really interesting because a lot of people feel like. They, especially when it comes to business, that's a bit too personal, but he was like, no. You know, sometimes it removes the fact. So I also tell people like, connect on whatever platform. Well, obviously, like if it's a networking event, no.

Speaker 12: Don't necessarily go in with Instagram, I say, but I always tell people like, if you know you're not, you don't actively check LinkedIn. Like 

Speaker 20: Yeah. 

Speaker 12: Don't necessarily tell people connect with me on LinkedIn. Mm-hmm. Especially if it's like, you know, like more of a social gathering than like specifically like.

Speaker 12: Professional networking. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Um, but yeah, I think that's really key. And then the second thing I was gonna say is I think, you know, going back to that message of like, um, you are looking at your younger self, I think it's really important to like see that growth because like you said, um, one you said mentioned the podcast, but I'm sure also younger you like speaking at a big tech festival is also incredible achievement.

Speaker 12: It's 

Speaker 7: insane. And then I've agreed to do it again. [00:27:00] It's crazy. 

Speaker 12: But even that, like to see that. How are you, you are now doing that. That's now something you're really confident in. Yeah. Is really incredible. Um, and then my final point, 'cause uh, you mentioned we've been speaking about like being introvert and extroverted.

Speaker 12: Mm-hmm. And I'll be honest, I will touch on it, but I don't act. I've read this book. I haven't, I just finished it. I don't remember what it's all, I don't remember all the specifics, so. Read Atomic Habits if you're interested. Um, but there's this book called Atomic Habits by this guy called James Clear. The whole book is about how the importance of doing small steps every day leads to like longer change.

Speaker 12: And he says essentially, like if you spent, I don't know, five minutes or 10 minutes every day, whether it's reading a chapter of a book or writing, if you're writing, I don't know, like you want to, like you said, like journaling. You write, uh, you spend one minute journaling every day. You said at the end of the year.

Speaker 12: Or in a year's time, you'll have like, like if you read a chapter five, five minutes on a chapter every day, you'll most likely finish at least one book per year. Mm-hmm. Which is better than not finishing a book at all, or trying to commit like long periods of hours to [00:28:00] reading. Um, but then he also talks about, uh, in the book about like, like you mentioned like, uh, personality traits, and he was basically saying there's this misconception.

Speaker 12: When it comes to habits, your personality determines whether you are like better or worse at keeping habits. And he said essentially says, uh, there's a psychologist that determines that there's like five things that make up like your personality. Mm-hmm. So Introver versus traverse is one of them. Mm-hmm.

Speaker 12: There's something else about, like, I think it's like something to do with adaptability is another one. Mm-hmm. There's five others. I don't remember the rest, but please do check it out. But he was saying, like you mentioned there, that like to him, uh, there's certain stuff that is like essentially finding the environment that you thrive in is great.

Speaker 12: So he said that like you might think, hey, um, I don't know. Let's say for example, your. I need to think of an example I should have got there first. Um, but he was saying like, for example, if you know, I dunno, you are really great at, so actually I'll just use the one he uses. So he talks about the, he talks about Michael Phelps.

Speaker 12: He says Michael Phelps, great [00:29:00] swimmer won the, like most Olympic gold medals. He's won more than I think countries like in general, yes, he's won more than countries, but I think his total medals combined are more than a single country's won. Um, and basically he was saying, great swimmer, you put him in a like short distance running race.

Speaker 12: He's not gonna do well. Mm-hmm. And he basically was saying that the environment that you put yourself in is what also helps you to build your habits. Mm-hmm. So I guess linking it to what you were talking about, like with Inverse, and it's also that as well. So if you know, you, um, maybe are like you, you, you know that you can.

Speaker 12: Even if it's not public speaking, like go on a stage and talk to people. You know, you can hold down a conversation with at least one person. Mm-hmm. He was saying, you know, put yourself in that position. So then maybe that can lead to eventually, you know, you'll have a conversation with a group. Then a group.

Speaker 12: It's a small room. A small room. A big stage. A big stage. A Ted talk. A TED talk. I don't know, like. Hosting a bigger water ceremony, stuff like that. Yeah, yeah. Um, so he was saying it's just like, put yourself in those environments because that's when you'll then see like, oh, I'm now putting in [00:30:00] the work. I'm growing, I'm developing, I'm like actually getting on it, which is really great.

Speaker 12: Um, so yeah. So that would be my other thing. It's like you said there, like you, you know, you put yourself in an environment to definitely like, develop and grow your skills. Mm-hmm. And it's, you can clearly see from like all the stuff that you've accomplished that, you know, that really helped. Yeah, thank you.

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Speaker 21: Now, 

Speaker 12: we're not gonna go into the last question before we go into passing the mic. Passing the mic where you get to ask me any question, uh, and as many questions as you would like. Um. This is [00:31:00] looking to the future. Mm-hmm. So what advice would you give to students and early career women, particularly those from underrepresented communities looking to break into transformative tech roles?

Speaker 7: So I'd say, um. Again, networking is key. Mm-hmm. So, network, network, network with anyone, well, maybe not anyone, anyone, but with as many professionals and people that you look up to as possible. So, you know, go to these events, go to all of these sort of networking drinks after work, drinks, even people in the office kind of thing that you might work in.

Speaker 7: So let's say, I don't know, you're currently a receptionist that a role, but you might wanna get into the technology department. Go and sit with that tea, maybe catch them for lunch, kind of like talk to 'em. Because one of the key things is, again, like I said, you might have that one connection. Like I said, with the Haribos kind of thing, we just both really love sweets and we hit off there, right?

Speaker 7: Again, with Prince, I reached out on LinkedIn. We were both Ghana and so we had that immediate link, you know, so it's kind of like. Finding your people [00:32:00] and they will again, sort of help you the rest of the way. You just kind of have to find those people. And another thing I'd say is, again, um, from one introverted, girly to another, kind of just do it.

Speaker 7: Mm-hmm. So again, I was speaking to, um, some of my friends and whenever I speak to my mom and I'm kind of like, mom, I'm so scared. Like, I can't do this. The one thing that she always says to me is, do it scared. 

Speaker 9: Mm. 

Speaker 7: Because at the end of the day, someone else is gonna do it or life is gonna happen anyway, so you might as well just do it scared because you'd rather do it that way or than have regrets kind of thing.

Speaker 7: I remember one key time, again, it has nothing to do with technology. I just passed my driving. Um, license and my dad, he'd gotten off the, um, plane to Ghana so he needed someone to go and pick him up. And I was like, mom, I can't drive on the motorway. I'm so scared. Like I dunno how to do this. And she was, again, she kind of said to me, she was like, well, I did it when I was your age.

Speaker 7: I just kind of got in the car, like I was freaking out and I just did it. So she was like, you just go and you do that scared. And I was the same [00:33:00] freaking out on the road, but I got there and I picked my dad up and it was absolutely fine, you know, so it was kind of like. Sort of doing things scared again.

Speaker 7: You kind of feel that sense of accomplishment afterwards and um, I guess it's better to do it than have the regret of not trying anyway, you know? Oh, a 

Speaker 12: hundred percent. You know, it's like you said, like it's uh, uh, it's better. What's the, it's better to, ah, there's a quote. It's better to fail. Try, I don't know something.

Speaker 12: I 

Speaker 7: know the quote. It's something, 

Speaker 12: yeah. And I think, like you said there, it's like important to just like, you never know, like, and most the worst case, like when you said like when you're putting yourself out there, whether it's like reaching to people for career opportunities. Mm-hmm. Or like you said, reaching out to people on LinkedIn and stuff.

Speaker 12: Like you either get a no or you won't hear back. Exactly. But at the end of the day, you know, it's not like, yeah. 

Speaker 7: Because even if you get a no right, you are still gonna go about your day. It's not as if anything's changed. But if you get a yes, then you've got something to pivot off of. So there's not really anything.

Speaker 7: Scary or anything that can kind of happen from reaching out to people, you 

Speaker 12: know? A hundred percent. Um, we're now gonna go [00:34:00] on to passing the mic. So I will, uh, close the tablet for a minute. Um, and Emma, this is your opportunity to ask me any of as many questions as you'd want. Uh, let me know what you'd like to know about.

Speaker 7: Okay. Do you watch anime? I do. And if you did

Speaker 7: top. Five. And why is number one full metal chemist? 

Speaker 12: Uh, so, uh. I a bit of a plug. Uh, this is our anime top if you want it. Uh, I'll talk about how to get, pick up the mic much later on. Um, so, uh, for, I haven't watched format myself. Oh, no way. I really haven't. Um, I, I would say, um, I need to get, I always keep saying, I know we've got an anime podcast.

Speaker 12: I need to get more into my anime back. I've said that I, I, I, terrible. I grew up, so I'm a comic book like. Sci-fi and comic book fans. I like Marvel is my bag. I know people ask me questions about Marvel. I could tell them for days, all of that stuff. Um, my [00:35:00] top, funny enough, I got asked my top three this morning.

Speaker 12: Ah, 

Speaker 22: okay. So 

Speaker 12: it may change. 

Speaker 22: Mm-hmm. 

Speaker 12: I'll be, i'll, I'll start off. My preferencing one piece is not on my list. One, it's not on my list because, not because it is a bad anime. I was like, I'm gonna watch it from the start and I couldn't tell you what episode. I now I'm in double digits, but I'm not past a hundred and I know they're working on like speeding up the the storytelling.

Speaker 12: So they're gonna redo the first episodes. There's also the live action. Everyone I know who's watched the live action, it's just like, it's good, but hey, they were just like, it's not what the original, is it the original? It's quite slow paced. It came out in the nineties, so I'm like one piece. I like the idea of one piece.

Speaker 12: I like the world setting of one piece. I like the world building the characters, but I'm also like. There's over a thousand episodes. This is, this is a commitment that I don't have time to commit to, uh, as a, as an adult. Um, so my number one spot actually has to go to my first anime love, [00:36:00] which is nato. I grew up with nato.

Speaker 12: Uh, my brother was actually got onto it first, and then we just like, look, I think there's anime. So we like, this was. This must have been like secondary school. So we binge watched over the summer, like all of Narta, and then we watched Shepparton. You got up to date? Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Uh, and we were watching it.

Speaker 12: Funnily enough, people have their preferences. I won't judge. Uh, I watched it in dubbed first, so I watched all of Narta and dubbed, and then I watched Shepparton up to like its most recent episode at the time. In dubbed and then we were like, oh, this is kind of long. Like the dubbing is taking too long.

Speaker 12: We're just like, we we're gonna run over to Sub. So we watching Sub and then we were just like, this is great. Then we got up to date with Sub and we was just like the weekly waits and we were just like, cool. What we're gonna do is we're just gonna like give it a couple weeks bank loads of episodes and just do it like that.

Speaker 12: So Narrative was the one that I grew up with. I love Narrat as a character. I think the story, funnily enough, I saw like another podcast talking about like why they all love nato. I think it's got, yeah, it just like, it's got a lot of cool moments. Mm-hmm. Um, my favorite shi. I 

Speaker 7: relate to 

Speaker 12: him. I generally, Mara, I've always said, uh, as a character, Shik Mara, to me personally is, uh, is [00:37:00] cold.

Speaker 12: He's, he's smart, he's intelligent, but he's also got that like, like I look, all I'm saying is watch Marathon. I can, I can turn this into an anime podcast. Uh, if, if I don't, if I don't caution myself, uh, second would be more recent. And I know a lot of people. It started off with a lot of hatred, but a lot of people love it now.

Speaker 12: Um, is, what's it called? My hero? Academia? 

Speaker 20: Yeah. 

Speaker 12: Okay. Now I, now I tell people like, if you can get part, the first season takes a bit of time. Mm. Second season to me is great. I love the villain staying arc. I think it's really cool. Um, again, it's superheroes. I love superhero stuff. So it, it brought me in with that.

Speaker 12: Um. But yeah, I would say like where it is now is great. I know everyone, every, my hero fan loves either hates the ending. I think it makes sense in my personal opinion. Mm-hmm. It summarizes the story that it's not to do with people having superpowers. Like it's not about the powers that you have but your hero because your heart is in the right place.

Speaker 12: Mm-hmm. Uh, this final [00:38:00] season hasn't ended, so I won't, I will keep it spoiler free, but if you've read the manga, you know what I'm talking about. Um. See, that would be number two. Number three is completely random, but it's the one that I would say, 'cause like my sisters aren't into anime, but I showed them this one.

Speaker 12: Mm-hmm. They really loved it and they got into it and I think it's, it, it's lighthearted, but it's also funny, and I like the concept is spy family. Ah, I've not seen that one. Oh, really? Cool. Uh, so it's all about, uh, it's basically about, this isn't, it? Is essentially. Eastern and West Berlin, but they're basically try and make it to be like, it's like a, somewhere in Europe.

Speaker 12: It's a country that, like, I've forgotten what the country's even called, but they basically, it's Eastern West Berlin. Mm-hmm. Uh, and it's supposed to be around the idea that essentially there's this spy who's from west, he's from the western part of the country or the western nation, and he is sent into infiltrate and uncover this big plot that's gonna happen.

Speaker 12: Uh, to do this, he has to basically set up, 'cause they're just like, you'll get caught if you're just naturally a spy. Mm-hmm. He has to set up a family. So he has, he adopts a [00:39:00] daughter and basically lies to everyone that, that's actually his daughter by birth. Okay. Um, he like, and essentially the daughter, she is a telepath.

Speaker 12: Mm-hmm. So she can read mine. She knows what people are thinking. So she knows that her dad's a spy. Mm-hmm. The dad doesn't know that she's a telepath. Then it gets even more confusing. So my hero, uh, sorry. Spy family. So yes. So. Dad's a spy. Mom's a telepath, uh, sorry. Daughter's a telepath. They meet a mom.

Speaker 12: The mom is an assassin. Dad doesn't know that the mom is an assassin. Okay. Uh, mom doesn't know that Dad is a spy daughter knows both. Uh, it gets super complicated 'cause then the mom's brother works for the secret police. 

Speaker 22: Okay. 

Speaker 12: The dad knows that he works for the secret police. The brother doesn't know that the dad is like the spy that he's hunting.

Speaker 20: Okay. 

Speaker 12: So it's, it sounds like it's super serious, but it is very much. Low key chill. It's funny, the daughter knows everything. So the, you basically mainly see the story from the daughter's perspective. 'cause she's like trying to navigate all of these things. But then also she's trying to help [00:40:00] her parents keep the cover of whatever they're doing.

Speaker 12: Mm-hmm. Without like making it too obvious to them. Mm-hmm. Um, but I say it's, it's lighthearted and funny and it's really cool. So that would be number three. I have two more choices. Um. I, I wouldn't say this is an anime, but some people do. My brother's one of them. Uh, ah, would that be number one then? 

Speaker 20: Ooh.

Speaker 12: Ooh. Uh, I, I, I don't count whether it's anime, it's animation. I wouldn't say it's anime. Um, avatar. The last Airbender, uh, that's a good one. The thing is, it, it depends. I, I'm like, it's annaly inspired. Yeah, it is. It is. But I'm like, I don't know if I'd caught that, but for this list, I will. In that case, then I would.

Speaker 12: Move everything down a bit and then put Avatar up at the top. 'cause technically Avatar was my first like introduction to anime. I guess if you wanna be like, well technically Pokemon, but Pokemon, I won't put on the list. Pokemon is a, is a big choice in my opinion. It's great. But like Pokemon, I think most if, if [00:41:00] you, like if you were young and you had either Cartoon Network or any children's channel, you probably watched Pokemon.

Speaker 12: Yeah. Um, but I would say. Yeah, avatar is number one. 'cause I think it's great. Uh, the original season, like I know they're making a live action. Mm-hmm. They also made a really rubbish movie. But, um, but the reason why the live, the reason why it's number one is 'cause like, it only had, I generally thought it had more seasons than it did, but only had three seasons.

Speaker 12: And it's three seasons to me, especially for the like Avatar, LA Legend Cora. I know it was divisive between fans. I think his first season was amazing. I think there were other behind the scenes issues that caused the other seasons to sort of like not have their like footing. But I would say that first.

Speaker 12: But like Avatar, the original series was amazing. I think it told an impactful story. It was great in the storytelling, pacing, it really like showcased. Like, uh, basically like, it it to me, like if you want to tell a story, right? It's that. 

Speaker 7: Yeah. Um. 

Speaker 12: Yeah. Gosh man, I need to go, go back and [00:42:00] rewatch it. That was, that was, no, 

Speaker 7: for real.

Speaker 7: I think I rewatched it about last year with my mom. It's so nice. So good. It's so good. Um, so good to boomy. 

Speaker 12: Honestly, Nico and people have said it's got it, it's got storytelling. Like it does, it's got something for everyone. It's got, it's got female empowerment. Mm-hmm. You've got lesser like people I know.

Speaker 12: Also, this was a divisive topic between people about the live action. 'cause they said, uh, if you've watched it, you know that soccer. In season one is very much, he's very much like misogynistic. He's obviously sexist. Mm-hmm. Doesn't think women can do much. Mm-hmm. And by the end of it, this man's whole life has been changed.

Speaker 12: He's met like his sisters basically turned into a like. Basically one of the most op characters in that show. Mm-hmm. Uh, his best friend who he meets our longest journeys is the most powerful earth bender and then invents a whole new type of bending. Mm-hmm. Um, and his girlfriend, uh, is a kickass warrior and the moon.

Speaker 12: And yeah. So literally like he, so, and I think like you got zuko the best storytelling. Mm-hmm. That's why I love Avatar as well. 'cause it's not, I think what I love about it is it [00:43:00] isn't. About Ang is the, is one of the main characters. Yeah, but it's not a story about Ang 

Speaker 7: a hundred percent because I can 

Speaker 12: get why people, he's 

Speaker 7: the protagonist, but everyone has their own like 

Speaker 12: a hundred percent story and people just say like, it is so good.

Speaker 12: That like, as a, as a story, like as a way it tells stories. It's so good how it's like. The arts, everyone goes on. So by the end you're like, this is incredible. So like Zuko goes from this, like, you know, he's trying to prove himself to his dad, but everyone's just like, even his uncle, he's just like, why your dad mistreat you?

Speaker 12: And he's like, no. And then he goes on a lesson of like redemption, which is amazing. Ang learns what it means to be the avatar in a world that desperately needs it. Mm-hmm. Um. Like, uh, soccer, like I mentioned, learns his journey. Mm-hmm. TOF learns how to be like, basically be who accept who she is and be with people that have respect of who she is.

Speaker 12: Um, almost damn, what's soccer sister's name, please? Uh, 

Speaker 7: Katara. Katara. 

Speaker 12: Can't believe we've got that. But Katara, um, goes on like a [00:44:00] journey of realizing that she's more like basically kind of like, well. To oppose what her brother soccer was saying of like, mm-hmm, mm-hmm. She's just like there to just help.

Speaker 12: Every once in a while. She's the only water bender in our village. She goes from just being like, only being able to move small things to literally being able to like blood bend. And I just like, this is, this is storytelling to a, to amazing standard. Um, I would say if you want, like I would say if you're not in, if you've never heard of anime, you never watched it, all of this stuff, that is a great starting point in my opinion to get into anime.

Speaker 12: Um. And then number five. Number five. Number five. Mm. What's that? I need to even think about the ones that I watched. Uh,

Speaker 12: the thing is, I never watched like Dragon Ball. I never watched, uh, I am, do I give. I don't, I don't really wanna pick one that I haven't watched, but I know it's bait. Like I haven't watched the attack on Titan, but I know everyone loves. [00:45:00] Yeah. I tell people like, I'm an animal fan, but I know I need to get in, I need to get serious with my, 

Speaker 7: I've, no, I've only watched episode one and the fact that he crunched his mom in half in front of him.

Speaker 7: I said, no, honestly, no. It's why I said, no, thank you. It gets, so, I haven't 

Speaker 12: seen it either. I guess it, guess what I, I know. Yeah. It. Yeah, it's not for me. Um, I'm trying to think if there's, if there's another one that I've seen that's really jujitsu, kaizen, I, I've got mixed opinions. Not that I hate it. See, I haven't 

Speaker 7: seen season two yet.

Speaker 7: 'cause everyone's giving mixed opinions of season two, but I really enjoy season one. Yeah. So I don't wanna ruin it. 

Speaker 12: I don't dunno what you mean. Like Yeah. I've heard people, I think this is a wide conversational anime, but I feel like that's the. Issue with it. Yeah. Like some animes aren't able to keep its storytelling like consistently over time.

Speaker 12: Um, I need to give another five. I need to, um, yeah, like I said, I wouldn't say like one piece is too long. Uh, one that I've like started, I watched the first [00:46:00] episode and I think the premise is, if you're into superior stuff is interesting, but I, I don't even, I was gonna say one punch man. Like, I think the premise is interesting, but that world is insane.

Speaker 12: I would never want to be in. Uh, to be fair that I don't really think there's an anime world. I would maybe spy family, but even still That's great. But yeah, most anime world, I'm like, I'm good. I'm, I'd rather not. Like there's stuff they do with, there's people just coming out of everywhere, see, sure. For no reason, for no reason, and I'm trying to kill you.

Speaker 12: And I'm just like, no, you know, I'm, I'm content Like, like, you know what I mean? It's the same thing when people say like, oh, like I love to be in like Marvel, dc I'm like. We have tough days here, but like Right. If you, if you lived in New York in Marvel, like, hey, you got alien invasions. This isn't even talking about like street level, like you've just got regular crime.

Speaker 12: You're not dealing with like extra terrestrial, like people, like magic stuff. I was just like. It's enough. It's enough, man. Like lemme just, the real one is, is perfectly, it's got its troubles, but it's, it's okay. It's okay. Um, I might have to pick a fifth one. Okay. I will look into, [00:47:00] ah, it's not an anime. I don't wanna say one that's not an anime.

Speaker 12: 'cause then that's just a cop out answer. And now I'm trying to figure out. The one that haven't watched, but the concepts is interesting and it's an old anime. They did a live action in, in typical fashion, the live action in slap. And it was funny enough, by Netflix, uh, is Cowboy Bebop. I've heard a lot of people say that Cowboy Bebop is really cool.

Speaker 12: Mm-hmm. They like the character. Um, this is a wider conversation as well 'cause this is all about representation in anime. Um, but there was one. What was I gonna say? Oh, yeah, sorry. Uh, people said that the reason why certain live actions don't work is because, um, like people don't, certain characters act a certain way and they're just like, oh, this person isn't like necessarily Japanese.

Speaker 12: This person is actually like maybe from Latin America, or they're from Europe and stuff like that. So they're saying like, when they try and do a live action and then they. Framing the character around something else. Like I think they said the character in that, I don't remember. But anyways, it's sort of [00:48:00] podcast talking about that sometimes.

Speaker 12: It's like the miss. Oh yeah, it was with Dragon Ball. 'cause they were saying, oh, people didn't like the Dragon Ball live action movie that they did. And they were just like, no, actually they, they don't think it's great. But they were just like, I think. It's cart as well. Like this guy, the ku, they were just like, is American to, in my opinion mm-hmm.

Speaker 12: I read this, I'm seeing this as someone who's from the US mm-hmm. Rather than someone who's brought up in Japan. Yeah. And I was like, I get that. That's fair. That's a fair assumption. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Um, and especially if they don't say like, where they're from, I'm sure. Exactly. 

Speaker 20: Yeah. It makes sense. Yeah. Yeah.

Speaker 12: Um, okay. I, I'll make it tough for you. Do you have, do you have a top, your top enemy? 

Speaker 7: Full metal. Full metal. Okay. It has to be full metal. I know you haven't watched it, but it's just, so I think it's up there with the storytelling of avatar, because again, everybody kind of has their own individual journey.

Speaker 7: So you've got obviously the two brothers who've kind of like. Um, explored alchemy and obviously made their own mistakes, but they've also got like different people along the way who've also kind of like used alchemy in a specific sort of [00:49:00] way. And it's not necessarily gone quite right 'cause obviously there's rules in alchemy, like not bringing people back from the dead and things like that, which is exactly what they try to do.

Speaker 7: And again, other people, they meet along the way and it's kind of like just. Seeing everyone's like individual journey as well. Mm-hmm. So it's really interesting. So I'd recommend Thank you. I'll, I'm not gonna put no spoilers in there. I definitely recommend 

Speaker 12: Thank you very much. Uh, actually, I realized before I let you ask me another question mm-hmm.

Speaker 12: Is I'm gonna actually swap out Cowboy bebo. There was an anime, completely forgot to mention that I have watched, uh, it is called Cyberpunk Edge Runner. Uh, it is really cool. It is. The reason why I'd recommend it is one, there's a game. It's in the same universe as the game is amazing. Check it out. It's called Cyberpunk 2077.

Speaker 12: But also as an anime, like I'll say it as context, the anime is, does not have a happy ending. Um, so if you're looking for anime with happy endings, this is not the one for you. But I would say it really gets the tone of that universe. The what it's based like, what the game is based around. It's really cool to see characters who are in the video game come up in the anime, but like it's, [00:50:00] it does world wielding and doesn't necessarily, like, it's not like, I think it's only eight episodes, but it doesn't feel like, oh, like I'm gonna introduce you to this world.

Speaker 12: It's like, no, like let's just get in, tell the story. It's, it's moving, it's impactful. But yeah, I would say that would be number five. Uh, they are working with the same, so the gaming company, they're working with 'em to release another anime. Next year, I don't know if it's gonna be. It like, it's not season two, I know that.

Speaker 12: But, um, yeah, I would, that would be my recommendation. So if you are an anime watcher, that would, that would, that would be, keep an eye. Yeah. Do you have any other questions? I, I do not. I just really wanted to delve into that. Is an anime? No, no. Honestly, I'm always off anime conversation. I hear 

Speaker 7: it. And it was 

Speaker 12: a very fruitful one 

Speaker 7: as well.

Speaker 12: Thank you. I honestly, I, I say that I try to like get, I'm trying, like I said, I'm trying to build up my anime repertoire. 'cause like I, I, I'll be honest, I'm not, I will see about one piece. I like the concept. I will not watch well. I mean I could, [00:51:00] but like that, that the pacing, especially in the earlier days of It's all slower.

Speaker 12: Yeah. 

Speaker 7: The film episodes are. Yeah. 

Speaker 12: Oh my God. And like I was even telling my sister 'cause I was like, oh, you know, it's all, what's funny is the first, I think. 200 or 250 episodes on BBCI player. So I was like, cool, I'll just watch it. Mm-hmm. Like, it's, it's cool. I was just like, literally like, there might be like a 20 episode fight scene and it's like, it's crazy.

Speaker 12: The same thing, the same end. So it's like the first two minutes are recap of what's happened. Mm-hmm. Then you've got an opener, two minutes, then you've got a recap of literally the end of the last episode. So it's like, oh, maybe the first three to five minutes is. On that. Then there's movement. So maybe for movement for 10, for 10 minutes.

Speaker 12: Boom, episode ends outro for a minute and a half, and I'm like. What's the point? What's the point? Yeah. Like could it 'cause and I know sometimes people do it, um, like on YouTube they put like, literally, look, we're gonna cut out all the like stuff you can just watch like a long video. Mm-hmm. I'm like, God bless you people because these, these, yeah.

Speaker 12: Doing the Lord's work. Amen. Um. But yes, thank [00:52:00] you very much for that. We will now go onto the mc of the month, our organization or individual supporting and linking to the top of a tasking about and today is BCS women. Um, they fit for our mc of the month because they champion diver gender diversity in tech.

Speaker 12: They offer mentorship. Community event, career pathways, conversations, uh, similar to the ones we've had today. And we feel like as a team, they really compliment, uh, the amazing work that AM is doing, uh, on advocacy and also provide in inspire inspiration, sorry, and support for all students apart, aspiring to enter into the field of tech, whether that be through you've studied it or you're looking to transition into a new career.

Speaker 12: Um, so they are our mc of the month. Uh. We have now come to the second to last bit of the episode, which is our takeaway segment. Uh, I will, I keep saying it and I don't think, I'm not working hard. There will be a few sponsor at some point, um, but we won't be delivering through you today. We're delivering messages for you to go home with.

Speaker 12: And Emma, it's been incredible talking [00:53:00] about, you spoke about a lot. If the takeaway is anime, I'm happy to go with that. That's be fine for me. Um, but if there is a message you want an audience to go home with, based on all the things we talked about today, what would it be? 

Speaker 7: I think, uh, just reigning true to being a mommy's girl and just always to what she says.

Speaker 7: Mm-hmm. If you wanna do something and you're afraid to do it, just do it. Scared. Mm-hmm. I think that's probably the main thing I want you all to take away. 

Speaker 12: Yeah. Thank you. And I think, like you said, through your own journey, we've seen that, uh, if we're gonna get. Into anime. Like I said, I'm plugging into everything today.

Speaker 12: Um, if we're gonna talk about anime, we see an anime all the time. Um, and I think, like you said, it is, uh, you'll never, like, you'll never be upset about trying something and doing it if you're scared. Mm-hmm. Uh, 'cause you never know where that could leave. So, yeah. Thank you very much. Um, but now I end of the episode.

Speaker 12: Uh, this is your opportunity to tell people how to connect with you if they want to ask you any more questions. Um, I don't. Well, you mentioned you're speaking at an event coming up. [00:54:00] Yes. So black TechFest. Yes. If there's any other speaking opportunities, I will be honest, don't limit it to this year. This episode could come out next year.

Speaker 12: I will cut out the bit about black TechFest so you can, so we can put that out before. 

Speaker 20: Okay. 

Speaker 12: But if there is anything else going on. Tell us this year, next year, any cool things you're doing or anything people could keep an eye out for or even come along to. 

Speaker 7: So, uh, also this year I'm in the, um, I'm being featured in a book called The Voices and the Shadows for GTA Black Women in Tech.

Speaker 7: So that's very interesting. So there's about 51 of us and we've kind of been featured to just kind of like tell our tech journeys. So in October, which is very fitting like History Month, we're gonna go and kind of like. Celebrate that and I guess we're gonna get like hard copies of the book, so that's gonna be really cute to sort of do that as well.

Speaker 7: But I don't necessarily have anything lined up as of yet, but okay. You'll probably see my face somewhere. Keep an eye out if you're looking for a speaker, probably be somewhere. 

Speaker 12: Uh, and with Black Tech Fest. [00:55:00] Uh, I should have asked you this before, but could we know a bit more about that? Uh, maybe like me, people are seeing ads about it all the time on, on Instagram, but yeah, could we know a bit more about that?

Speaker 7: Yeah. So, um, I'm gonna be on a panel again. Um, that's actually hosted by system. So I know you guys probably are familiar with system and Donna. So Donna and Abigail are going to be running that panel with myself and, um, Hosanna, I dunno if you've ever seen, uh, she's like a really big talker on like tech. I think she's, uh, called the tech corner.

Speaker 7: Um, so she kind of does like a load of things on like, um, tech sales and things like that. So she'll be the other panelist on there and we'll be speaking about, um, I guess the unspoken truth. In, um, black women in tech and sort of like navigating how we, um, have felt like what our challenges have been and just like living day to day and being a woman in the, such a male dominated space.

Speaker 7: Yeah, of 

Speaker 12: course. So, yeah. What other dates please 

Speaker 7: of. The 9th of October. 

Speaker 12: 9th of October. So this will be out before, [00:56:00] well, the episode, maybe not, but the clip will be out before the ninth. So if you have seen this, uh, keep an eye out. The main episode will be coming shortly. But if you want to come to an amazing festival with amazing panels, uh, check it out.

Speaker 12: Um, yeah, I'll put the link. Uh, I'll tag. And link people to relevant pages. Um, and 

Speaker 7: we also have a 10% discount 

Speaker 12: code, which you 

Speaker 7: can 

Speaker 12: yes. Put on there as well. It will appear somewhere on this nice fancy screen. Uh, thank you. I, it's been amazing speaking to you. Thank for speaking to you too. Thank you to you, a wonderful audience for coming to another episode of the The Student Guide.

Speaker 12: As you can tell, long day, I am almost forgetting the name of the podcast. I'm back. Uh, it's been an incredible having you with us. If you like this episode, like convers subscribers, always appreciated. If you wanna make sure you don't miss. Any of the other stuff on the pickup, the My YouTube channel. Then make sure you click the notification bell at the bottom of the video.

Speaker 12: If you want to receive, call merch. You wanna support our efforts, you want to get early access to content, then check out either our Patreon page, [00:57:00] our YouTube channel membership, or if you want to have support us on a monthly basis and you know, you could give up maybe one cup of coffee. I'm not saying even per day, just one a month.

Speaker 12: Uh, then you can sign up to buy me a coffee, which is linked down in description below. Um, and you can essentially, for the price of one cup of coffee, uh, you can donate money. Oh, you can subscribe to pick up the mic and you can still get access to all of this stuff. Early access. Same across Patreon, uh, and YouTube channel membership.

Speaker 12: So you don't need to subscribe if you want to. I, I won't complain as much support as, as if you want to give is welcomed, but if you just want us. To report us on one of those that is more than, uh, appreciated. And as I mentioned, you get discounts on cool merch like this. You've probably not seen me wear this, but this is our anime theme T-shirt.

Speaker 12: We have one with a male sensei, A among female sense. Um, so you can check that out. But we've also got the main pick up the mic, YouTube, uh, main pick up the mic top, which says it's time to pick up the mic. Uh, and we are also thinking about also getting one for the gaming channel as well. And as you may have seen the two macrs, Josh and Morgan have their own as well.

Speaker 12: So if you want one, let [00:58:00] us know. Uh, and then finally, if you want to check out our. Other channels as well. Maybe you are interested in learning about, uh, sci-fi and fantasy. Maybe you really enjoyed the anime conversation and wanna see like more things on that. Or maybe, and just maybe you want to, uh, learn about the world of gaming and connect with some cool people there and check out all of those podcasts.

Speaker 12: You'll see those under the four you section, uh, on our YouTube channel. So if you click the YouTube channel link and head to the main page. Scroll down, you'll see all the three other YouTube channels there. Um, but yeah, we're gonna wrap up this episode with the student guide. Thank you so much for coming.

Speaker 12: Uh, we'll see you on the next episode. And yes, we are nearing, which is wild to say, but we are nearing 80 episodes. Uh, so yeah, we have a big plan for a hundred. Uh, we'll keep you all updated on what's gonna happen in the lead up in season 10. But let's finish season eight first and then we'll get over to that.

Speaker 12: Um, but yeah, that's Bye from us here. Have a wonderful day and we will see you all [00:59:00] soon.