An Invitation for Innovation: T-Mobile Partners with TAF to Share the Diversity of Tech
Overview
The T-Mobile 5G Hub is a maker space built to encourage the next generation of technology innovators and engineers. T-Mobile rolled out its magenta carpet for TAF@Saghalie students as they got an insider look at all that T-Mobile does to stay ahead of the game in the 5G marketplace. As a corporate partner and leader in the 5G tech space, it’s the perfect setting to foster curiosity and discovery for all opportunities today’s tech industry has to offer for the leaders of tomorrow.
Making Technology a Space for Everyone
As a woman of color in the tech industry, it’s clear why Neeta Moodbidri, senior director of product management at T-Mobile, partnered with TAF: “I want to show kids how diverse the tech space is. To show that others that look like them are in this space as well,” Moodbidri shared. “I want to show them there are other opportunities in tech outside of just coding and engineering.”
The intention of bringing that experience to life was clear at every turn. The T-Mobile team on site to greet students had professionals of color across a multitude of focuses – from engineers sharing what a radial room is and how it powers 5G, to the radio frequency room where researchers get to test how radio waves react in specific conditions, or how x-rays are utilized to build product models of cell phones.
For many of the students, the experience of being around all the latest research technology offered a fun place to play and explore. For others, their interest in technology was piqued, and they started asking more in-depth questions like why engineers research different frequencies, how exactly does all the hardware used makes their cell phones work, and what exactly you need to know to be in various fields?
At the end of the tour, Moodbidri was joined by Stefan Bewley, chief strategy officer, and Ximena Cuevas, senior director of marketing for a Q&A panel, moderated by Doaa Abouzeid, senior manager in product and engineering, where they could share their wisdom on how to build confidence and success in the workplace as leaders of color. Topics ranged from resilience as a minority in a competitive space like tech, to owning your own experiences, how to build a relationship with a mentor, and to always be curious.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is Not Created in a Silo
For organizations like T-Mobile–and the tech industry as a whole–investment in diversity, equity, and inclusion opportunities that engage the younger generation is not just a “nice to have”, it’s a competitive advantage. According to McKinsey’s Diversity Matters report, companies truly invested in DEI as a core initiative have “a 39 percent increased likelihood of [financial] outperformance for those in the top quartile of ethnic representation versus the bottom quartile.” Building relationships with the next wave of STEM focused students while championing workplace diversity with intentionality is the winning strategy for years to come.
However, this winning strategy is dependent on schools having the opportunity to bring community partners and students together to engage in meaningful experiences. This is why corporate partnerships are so vital for students at our partner schools and TAF@Saghalie. Field trips to STEM-oriented spaces, meeting professional leaders that look like them and take the time to visit their school to share their expertise—these types of engagements show students what opportunities are possible.
With the STEMbyTAF model and project-based learning (PBL), students have the foundation to approach real world issues faced in the workforce readily and with experience. Not only to accomplish tasks, but to question, inquire, and innovate with excitement and self-leadership. All qualities the tech sector strives to achieve. According to Moodbidri, it’s about “learning more about what opportunities there are outside of the classroom, getting [students] engaged with careers and to see what they can do can inspire them to get into other programs outside of TAF.”
Learn how to become a corporate partner for Technology Access Foundation and broaden student horizons here.
