“What you feed grows,” is something Faith I. always likes to remember. The Nigerian-born New Face of Tech winner wants to be a product manager and is working on her master’s degree in Business Information Systems and Analytics at The University of Arkansas at Little Rock. “I know this is the beginning of many great things to come in my life and I feel very motivated and encouraged to continue to chase my dreams,” she said.

What does being the New Face of Tech mean to you?

It means that I am on the right pathway to success. This will serve as a constant reminder for me to also create opportunities and support others as I grow in the tech space — because I believe in paying it forward.

Women are underrepresented in STEAM. How can we change this?

Gender underrepresentation can be changed at different levels.

Beginner: By creating awareness about gender underrepresentation and providing opportunities for young women to get the knowledge and coaching needed to successfully get into tech.

Intermediate: By providing resources to retain and equip students in STEM to have the skillset and confidence needed to get into the corporate world — like conference scholarships, job referrals, and interviewing preparation sessions.

Advanced: Women are multipliers, and having a woman at the boardroom table will definitely create the room, support, and mentorship needed for other women. Naturally, more women will be inspired and motivated to put in the work needed to advance STEM globally.

What are some of the challenges you have faced along the way?

Pivoting into IT from a background in biochemistry, I had to put in more effort and time than the average student because I needed to have a good understanding of the fundamental concepts. After that, everything started to flow from there.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

Having friends from school and online tech communities who share common goals helps me stay focused. Also, attending conferences and staying abreast of the current technological trends and innovations keeps me motivated.

How will funding from the 1,000 Dreams Fund and HARMAN help you reach your goals?

The funding will help me pay for some key tech conferences I plan to attend. Having access to a mentor will be of great help to me as I prepare for an internship and transition into the corporate world.