Guest Speaker at IndyAWS

I recently had an incredible opportunity to be a guest speaker at IndyAWS for the first time! Speaking in front of an audience is daunting enough, but imagine doing it in your second language. That adds an entirely new layer of fear and anxiety.

So, how did I manage to succeed without succumbing to the pressure? I needed to believe in my abilities and overcome my impostor syndrome. I've been learning English for five years, and it felt like the right moment to step out of my comfort zone. To prepare, I meticulously organized all the ideas I wanted to share. I prepared all my materials and practiced tirelessly in my kitchen, office, and living room as if I were delivering the talk in real life. Special attention was given to my body language—I didn't want to seem erratic or nervous!

A beneficial strategy was adopting a self-confidence routine I learned from watching the TV show "Ted Lasso." In an episode, Rebecca boosts her confidence by standing on her tiptoes and stretching her arms wide from the bottom up, a powerful pose that evokes a sense of empowerment. I can neither confirm nor deny that this technique was incredibly effective ;)

My Presentation Slides

My journey into the tech field began in 2021 while working at Roche in manufacturing. I decided to switch to a tech career.

Early on, I faced several challenges, including my language barrier. My accent and difficulty with pronunciation often left me embarrassed, particularly in situations like reading aloud in classes, which was nervewracking due to my unfamiliarity with many English words. Despite these fears, especially around public speaking, I've come a long way from the basics I learned in Venezuela to giving speeches in English.

Working a night shift job was tough but necessary to pursue my professional goals. I chose to major in cloud computing, a field I knew little about initially but grew fascinated by as I learned more about its prevalence in everyday technology, like smartphones and the Internet of Things.

Throughout my college experience, I've focused on building a solid foundation in cloud technologies, often feeling overwhelmed by the new content in each lesson. However, with time and repetition, the concepts started to make sense. My background has taught me the importance of resilience and adaptability. These qualities have been crucial in facing challenges, from growing up in Venezuela's tough conditions to adapting to a new country and culture.

My Speech

I aim to earn more AWS certifications and gain hands-on experience through internships, aspiring to become a Solutions Architect. This role excites me because it merges technical skills with the ability to communicate effectively, and I'm eager to bring my unique perspective as a Venezuelan immigrant to the field.

My journey from Venezuela to the tech industry in the US has been challenging but fulfilling. I've navigated a new country, language barriers, and a demanding college schedule, all while keeping my sights set on a future in cloud computing. My story is a testament to the fact that anyone can achieve their tech goals with hard work and resilience, regardless of their background.