General Assembly’s Post

How does Philadelphia compare to other tech markets? Last week, stakeholders including bootcamp leaders, nonprofit DEI pros and city officials gathered at a Tech Industry Partnership meeting to discuss how the region is doing in terms of tech jobs, demographic makeup and regional growth, while Technical.ly shared data from its Tech Economy Dashboard. So what does the data tell us about the #Philly tech scene in terms of diversity and opportunity? See the stats:

Q: Is there room for MBAs in the innovation-driven world of Silicon Valley? Evan Spiegel, CEO of Snap Inc., addresses a longstanding Silicon Valley conundrum regarding the value of traditional business education in a realm that prizes groundbreaking innovation. The skepticism, he notes, isn't aimed at MBAs per se but stems from a broader perspective that transcends academic credentials. Silicon Valley's ethos champions the idea that creativity and groundbreaking talent can emerge from the most unexpected places, irrespective of formal education. It's a testament to the tech industry's meritocratic nature, where the focus is squarely on what you can build, innovate, and how swiftly you adapt to the ever-evolving technological landscape. In this dynamic ecosystem, it's not the degree that defines your potential but your ability to contribute to the relentless march of innovation. #InnovateForImpact #CEO #creativity 

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Representation matters! Few insteresting thoughts on it below by Randy Gomez from Sparx Labs

By focusing on the challenges & opportunities specific to underrepresented tech talent, our "In Tech" groups and their committed leaders play an important role in driving positive impact and creating a sense of community & belonging here at Bloomberg #diversityintech

We really need to improve the pipeline of young talent, especially those with disadvantaged backgrounds going into tech! 👊🏼 I'm really excited about this episode, there's so much epic stuff included and lots of small wins that local companies could do to support the next gen in tech! I sat down with Henry Jones from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to discuss loads around social mobility, the South West peninsular, diversity in tech and some ideas on how to close the ever growing digital skills gap in the UK! "Work experience is one of the big things I’m looking at, specifically year 10 work experience. My report lays out eight things that we really need to do to improve the pipeline of young talent, especially those with disadvantaged backgrounds going into tech, and number one is more year 10 work experience programs within tech!‘’ Dropping on Wednesday 5th June. 🎙 Tech4Good South West 💚 #techforgood #impact #socialmobility #southwest

Inclusion is more than a buzzword; it’s a business necessity. At Microsoft, we’ve experienced firsthand how diverse perspectives fuel innovation and inspiration. Whether it’s our Indigenous, Black and African American, LGBTQIA+ employees, or the Disability Community during our dedicated awareness month, each unique identity enriches our daily work and the products and services we design with accessibility as a priority. It’s crucial for businesses to design with everyone in mind. This approach not only enhances lived experiences within our organizations but also allows us to leverage our platforms and outreach for a broader impact. Remember, when we embrace our authentic selves, we encourage others to do the same. Take a moment to hear from our employees and stories about innovation https://lnkd.in/gp8SnJNp and take a tour of our Innovation Lab with Solomon Stone Romney, Microsoft Accessibility Program Manager https://lnkd.in/g6hw7Qhy #InclusionIsInnovation #DisabilityAwareness

In my journey through the tech world, from managing a global ERG program at Airbnb to tackling DEI and community initiatives at Brex, I've observed a trend. DEI, once a rising star in tech company goals and iniatives, now seems to be on a decline. As a black professional, I've often still found myself to be the "only one" in many DEI conversations, revealing a stark reality: these spaces, despite their intentions, have not effectively advanced the voice of black individuals in tech. Recent remarks by Elon Musk, challenging DEI as a form of "reverse discrimination", have sparked controversy and debate. These comments reflect a deeper, often overlooked issue in the DEI narrative. Despite accusations of DEI being a vessel for reverse racism, the benefits of these initiatives often primarily reach white individuals from diverse gender and sexual orientations, leaving black professionals like myself still significantly underrepresented. Articles from TechCrunch (Tech's DEI backlash is here) and CNN (DEI efforts are under siege) offer insightful perspectives on this decline. They highlight how economic pressures and changing corporate attitudes are impacting DEI initiatives in big tech firms. My experiences suggest that despite the initial surge in DEI efforts, the actual impact on creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for black professionals has been limited. But here's food for thought: Is the diminishing priority of DEI in the workplace another ploy to silence and erase the contributions and needs of people of color in the tech industry? Do you feel that DEI initiatives have made a tangible difference, or are we witnessing a retreat from the commitments made just a few years ago? Articles referenced: https://lnkd.in/gTvb3gCr https://lnkd.in/gdavE7n6 #dei #diversityintech #diversityandinclusion #diversityequityinclusion #techcompany #companyculture #elonmusk

Did you know that only 3% of the NYC workforce in tech are Black women? Join Women.NYC on Feb. 27th at 5:30 and learn about the opportunities in the field, key occupations, on-demand skills, and industry players. Get ready to pivot your career and business to the most promising sector in the NYC economy because Black women are the future of tech! Don’t miss the chance to network with leaders and learn about Women.NYC upcoming programs. #blackwomenintech #blackwomeninstem #blackwomenlead #blackwomeninbusiness #femalefounders #womeninbusiness #careergoals #careerchange #careerdevelopment

If you can handle my Yorkshire accent, check out James Hudnall's podcast where he covers a bunch of different topics listed in the post here. Again, thank you so much for having me, you were a great host. #softwareengineering #softwaredevelopment #exponentialgrowth