Today’s Role Model is Chantel Zapata Pray. Chantel currently works as a Senior Product Designer at WW (Weight Watchers) where she enjoys bringing data-driven, user-centered solutions to complex problems. After graduating from Parsons School of Design, she started her career as an Art Director, working with clients such as Amazon, Marvel, and Scholastic Inc.

Today’s Tech Role Model is Mike Hamilton. Currently, Mike is a Senior Customer Support Manager at FiscalNote, a DC-based software, data, and media company. Mike always preferred opportunities to work with people, especially when he got to teach or make something better. He initially pursued a career in public education but took a detour to a call center.  Through that opportunity, he discovered that he could do the work he enjoyed in environments besides a classroom. That insight led him to his current role and inspired him to continue learning and evolving throughout his professional life. 

Today’s Tech Role Model is Kate Maxwell. Currently, Kate is a Business Lead at Strava, a mobile and web app connecting millions of runners and cyclists through the sports they love. Kate studied marketing and built a solid AdOps career in New York City. After several years in the industry, she felt like something was missing but wasn’t immediately sure of her next step. Through deep introspection, the power of networks, and her own persistence, she made a big move.

Today’s Tech Role Model is Erin Morrissey. Erin began her digital design career at a small tech startup before transitioning to Criteo, a global ad-tech firm. Over the past three years, she’s climbed the ranks to her current role of Advanced Digital Designer. Work keeps her busy, but she still finds time for personal art projects in her free time.

Today’s Tech Role Model is Meka Seymour. Currently, she’s a full-fledged software engineer at Harry’s, a startup that makes and sells shaving equipment. Meka started working on their Customer Experience team. As she interacted with more engineers, she realized she wanted to move into software engineering. Instead of quitting her job, Meka took a different approach and shared her vision with her manager. With her manager’s support, she enrolled in online courses and studied in her free time to build her skills.

When you think of the words “job search,” how does your body feel? Anxious? Tense? Uncomfortable? I feel you.

Illustration by Andy J. Miller