interface

In this episode of Interface, the Crew speaks with PROS own UX Design Manager, Ayan Bihi. Ayan discusses her trajectory from studying sociology in France to becoming a UX Design Manager. She shares insights on her work, including the human-centered design strategy, the power of design, and the importance of user-centered solutions. Additionally, the conversation delves into strategies for retaining black talent in tech industries, the value of diversity, and the importance of mentorship.  Notable Quotes“At Concordia University and I took sociology just because I've always been fascinated on how things work. And so, I can be in a public space and just observe people and wonder like, why are they doing that? Or just trying to understand everything. So, for me, sociology was kind of like getting to study the user manual of our societies and understanding why we do certain things and what's the structure and what's the kind of the reason behind it all.” “I'm able to open a pen easier because somebody thought about what would be the best experience for me to open this pen. So I said, you know what, that would be really interesting. Let me explore that. So I decided first before I decided to go full into it, I took a community college course where I was growing up to understand it a bit more, and I decided, okay, yeah, I get this. I like this.” LinksMatthew Heat Check: https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/10/sec-approves-spot-bitcoin-etf/Siara Heat Check: https://podcasts.apple.com/si/podcast/michelle-obama-how-to-stay-with-your-partner-when-they/id1450994021?i=1000640876432Jennifer Heat Check: https://link.hbr.org/view/654aa89aa426663d33230514k6rf8.6ovs/3bd05a5c Contact AyanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayanbihi/Ascend UX Podcast: https://ascendux.simplecast.com/Menstrual Care Website: https://www.arum.care/  Reach out to The Interface Podcast Crew at · interfacepodcast@pros.com OR· Jenni Plummer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniplummer/ OR · Siara Barnes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/siara-barnes-b47a923a/ OR · Matthew Negron - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-negron94/ Chapters01:17 Introduction and Guest Presentation02:28 Starting the Conversation03:27 Guest's Origin Story07:36 Transition into UX Design09:45 Role as a Design Manager12:40 Understanding User Experience Design15:12 Advice for Aspiring UX Designers21:30 Balancing Naivety and Planning in Career Progression24:52 Increasing Black Talent in Technology26:31 The Impact of Diversity in the Workplace27:03 Personal Experiences and Challenges as a Black Woman in Tech28:22 The Importance of Diversity in Thought and Innovation29:08 Exposing Black Talent to Tech Careers through Externships30:25 The Power of Networking and Mentorship30:52 The Externship Experience at PROSE34:06 The Importance of Human Connection in a Virtual World36:06 Heat Check: Hot Topics in Tech and Black Culture50:20 The Importance of Walking the Walk in Diversity and Inclusion

01-24

57:18

Welcome to Season 3 of Interface! Join our incredible co-hosts as they kick off this new chapter with a lively chat filled with reflections on past seasons, invaluable lessons learned, and an exclusive sneak peek into the thrilling content awaiting you in Season 3. Catch up with the hosts and gear up for an exhilarating season of dynamic conversations with the tech world’s finest minds!(00:00) - Introduction and Welcome (01:43) - Catching Up with the Hosts (02:04) - Reflecting on the Podcast's Growth (04:40) - The Importance of Teamwork (05:29) - Celebrating Milestones (05:50) - Introducing New Team Members (07:41) - Engaging with Executives (07:58) - The Empower Executive Networking Challenge (09:52) - The Impact of the Podcast (11:15) - The Role of the Executive Sponsor (13:41) - Hot Jobs Segment Introduction (16:12) - Social Media Updates (18:35) - Reflecting on Past Seasons (22:00) - Looking Forward to Season Three (34:46) - Closing Remarks

12-07

36:02

Join the Interface Crew as they sit down with Dr. Cheryl Swanier, Computer Science department chair for University of Massachusetts Amherst and Founder and CEO of Swanier Consulting LLC. to discuss her early tech career experiences facing corporate glass ceilings and how it led her to a career pivot into education where she flourished. Dr. Swanier illustrates how she navigated her own imposter syndrome after being presented with a career changing opportunity and how facing racism in the workplace has shaped her career and inspired her community outreach efforts encouraging Black women in tech and teaching kids from underrepresented groups how to code. Notable Quotes"…the reason I transitioned from corporate to K-12 is because I felt like I had reached this glass ceiling. It was always my aspiration to become a CEO of an organization, but I quickly realized that…organizations really weren't for Black people in the early eighties or the mid-nineties." "I went to my interview, and I was extremely nervous…they did offer me a position but not that of department chair because I really didn't show forth the confidence and enthusiasm to get that (department chair) position." "I tell my students to follow your dreams and pick and choose your battles. Make sure you don't put all your eggs in one basket."  LinksJennifer Heat Check: https://newsletter.pragmaticengineer.com/p/twitter-vs-instagram-threads-two?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=458709&post_id=133515172&isFreemail=true&utm_medium=email Siara Heat Check: https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/12/tech/fbi-public-charging-port-warning/index.html Contact CherylLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylswanier/ Reach out to The Interface Podcast Crew at ·        interfacepodcast@pros.com OR·        Jenni Plummer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniplummer/ OR ·        Siara Barnes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/siara-barnes-b47a923a/ OR ·        Matthew Negron - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-negron94/ 

08-24

01:16:33

In this episode of the Interface podcast, the crew celebrates hitting a milestone of 1,000 downloads and chats with Kim Martin, Director of Engineering at Indeed.  Kim Martin talks about the emotional aspects of tech and being a software developer, how being a good decision maker is half the battle of a good leader and why she's always hiring. Notable Quotes"…When you're invested, everything is emotional…it's demoralizing…feeling like you're just doing busy work and nobody's ever going to see it. ""Computer scientists are creatives and everybody wants to be expressive.""Figure out what you're good at and then double down on that because there's always going to be an opportunity for whatever it is that you're doing."LinksJennifer Heat Check: https://www.wired.com/story/stack-overflow-gender-problem/Siara Heat Check: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-strikes-affirmative-action-programs-harvard-unc-rcna66770 Contact KimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlynicolemartin/Instagram: @blackgirlgolfing Reach out to The Interface Podcast Crew at ·        interfacepodcast@pros.com OR·        Jenni Plummer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniplummer/ OR ·        Siara Barnes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/siara-barnes-b47a923a/ OR Matthew Negron - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-negron94/ 

08-02

01:17:41

In this episode, the Interface Crew sits down with Aaron Walker, a Computer Science student at the University of Houston, to delve into his captivating undergraduate journey. Join us as we explore how Aaron discovered his passion for technology, the fascinating intersection of music theory and computer science, and his innovative approach to music creation using generative AI.  Notable Quotes "I just like problem solving. Creative problem solving is fun. It's like puzzles, but you actually do stuff. You finish stuff, you build stuff by solving puzzles." LinksJennifer Heat Check: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/05/business/tech-internship-application-grind.htmlMatthew Heat Check: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/20/business/media/reddit-moderators-api-protest.htmlSiara Heat Check: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneteenth Contact AaronLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-walker-777a09227/You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@aarrowaudio Reach out to The Interface Podcast Crew at ·        interfacepodcast@pros.com OR·        Jenni Plummer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniplummer/ OR ·        Siara Barnes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/siara-barnes-b47a923a/ OR ·        Matthew Negron - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-negron94/

07-07

53:40

In this episode of The Interface Crew, Goldie Powell joins the show to discuss her journey of empowering women and underrepresented communities in technology. As a woman of color who faced challenges early in her career, Goldie shares how her experience in Corporate America inspired her to make a difference for others. Listeners will gain valuable insights from Goldie's personal story and her expertise in the tech industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to learn more about how to create a more inclusive and diverse tech industry. Notable Quotes "There were silent expectations. When you're hired, you are expected to know how to do this job yet when you ask questions 1 question may turn into 2, 3, or 5 questions…This is where I think there is a lot of disconnect from college into Corporate America." "I wanted to help Black women; people who look like me. I wanted to help boost their confidence early so when they are sitting in the same seat I was, they don't feel as uncomfortable as I felt." Links·        Siara Heat Check: https://www.emergingtechbrew.com/stories/2023/04/25/adobe-initiative-ai-images?cid=31280730.462313&mid=dd55ea1dbeaec357e0585e40148dcc20&utm_campaign=etb&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=morning_brew·        Jenni Heat Check: https://www.wired.com/story/stack-overflow-will-charge-ai-giants-for-training-data/·        Mattie's Heat Check: https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/24/snapchat-sees-spike-in-1-star-reviews-as-users-pan-the-my-ai-feature-calling-for-its-removal/  Contact GoldieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/goldie-powell-97301a176/Website: https://www.cybercreationz.com/, https://cybercreationztech.org/ Reach out to The Interface Podcast Crew at ·        interfacepodcast@pros.com OR·        Jenni Plummer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniplummer/ OR ·        Siara Barnes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/siara-barnes-b47a923a/ OR ·        Matthew Negron - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-negron94/ 

05-22

52:39

The Interface Crew sits down with Kiley Summers, electrical engineer by trade and founder of SpendDebt, to discuss how he landed in engineering and how the desire to create the life he wanted for his family and becoming debt free led him to launch SpinDebt his consumer debt payment company, SpendDebt. Notable Quotes "Exposure expands expectations…""…being in the boardroom, being in student council as a young kid or over Girl Scouts…maybe they don't get it right, but that's okay to not get it right. What's important to me is that they have confidence.""Keep going. Use the tools and fail fast!""If you don't step into what you are called to do, you can make a whole generation miss their blessing."Heat Check Source Links·        Jennifer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGAgxozNWFE&ab_channel=ByteByteGo·        Matthew: https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/02/15/1067904/ai-automation-drug-development/Contact KileyTwitter: https://twitter.com/spendebtSpenDebtInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_spendebt/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spendebt/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiley-summers-49b11a41/Website: https://www.spendebt.com/ Reach out to The Interface Podcast Crew at ·        interfacepodcast@pros.com OR·        Jenni Plummer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniplummer/ OR ·        Siara Barnes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/siara-barnes-b47a923a/ OR ·        Matthew Negron - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-negron94/ 

04-26

01:11:26

Episode Title: CuSTEM Journey feat. Engineer and Podcast Host Andrew BainesThe Interface crew sits down with Engineer and founder of CuSTEM Journeys Podcast, Andrew Baines, to chat about how to deal with nay-sayers and how his career as an engineer helped him start podcasting and become a diversity focused recruiter. “…we need to encourage and push our students and the kids from our communities to do more than what’s just typically expected. If I would’ve just said, “Yo, I’m gonna go walk on at JUCO and go try to play ball there, nobody would have blinked an eye.”“if you’re giving advice, you definitely have to know the individual. Where is their head space at? What is their awareness of what they are about to do? I definitely think transparency and helping the person understand what are the next steps needed to be successful on this journey.”“Let’s create systems or opportunities or opportunities within our organization so that we can train the next batch of talent we need for the problems we have we have currently.” Links·        Siara Heat Check: https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/09/apple-launches-its-new-classical-music-streaming-app-for-pre-order/?utm_medium=TCnewsletter&tpcc=TCdailynewsletter ·        Jenni Heat Check: https://wix-ux.com/when-life-gives-you-lemons-write-better-error-messages-46c5223e1a2f ·        Mattie's Heat Check: https://www.pcmag.com/news/accessibility-and-ai-microsoft-details-its-plans-for-a-more-inclusive-future·        Jenni CuSTEM Journeys episode: https://youtu.be/ELFk6btkM5k  Contact AndrewCuSTEM Journeys Podcast: cuSTEM journeys - https://www.custemjourneys.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-baines-85763848/ Reach out to The Interface Podcast Crew at ·        interfacepodcast@pros.com OR·        Jenni Plummer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniplummer/ OR ·        Siara Barnes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/siara-barnes-b47a923a/ OR Matthew Negron - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-negron94/ 

03-27

01:09:25

Episode Title: “Funding Future Founders feat. Foresight Co-Founder and CTO Charlotte Clark”Charlotte Clark is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Foresight, a company helping small businesses get educated and raise the capital they need to make their dreams a reality. The Interface Crew chats with Charlotte about her journey into technology, her experience at MIT and how she took the leap to quit her corporate job during the global pandemic and dive into entrepreneurship. She shares lessons she’s learned along the way about herself and what it takes to lead tech start up.Highlights“If I hadn’t been in that incubator, it would have taken me a really long time. I think I am a recovering perfectionist, so I probably would have attempted to make things really perfect. At this point, I’ve rebranded myself 3 or 4 times and I’ve changed my website multiple times…it’s just a part of the entrepreneur process…”“[overcoming roadblocks] I think it’s really about figuring out how do I feel about what I’m doing, who I’m working with. …I’ve worked with clients and things did not go well and I have to reflect on…am I setting up the right boundaries for myself and how I work with clients.”“I think [Chief Technology Officers and Chief Product Officers] need to be technically in one person because sometimes priorities have to just be, ‘Does it work? Are our customers satisfied?’ and then technology becomes second.” LinksContact CharlotteInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/tryforesight/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-a-clark/Website - https://www.tryforesight.ioMedium - https://medium.com/@charlotte.a.clarkHeat Check Links:Charlotte: https://www.businessinsider.com/venture-debt-vs-venture-capital-startup-advantages-2022-12Siara: Rihanna Performance; Sheryl Lee Ralph - Lift Every Voice and Sing; Chris Stapleton – USA National AnthemJennifer: Big Tech diversity efforts stall as industry endures mass layoffs -  https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWFya2V0cGxhY2Uub3JnL2ZlZWQvcG9kY2FzdC9tYXJrZXRwbGFjZS10ZWNo/episode/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWFya2V0cGxhY2Uub3JnL3Nob3dzL21hcmtldHBsYWNlLXRlY2gvYmlnLXRlY2gtZGl2ZXJzaXR5LWVmZm9ydHMtc3RhbGwtaW5kdXN0cnktbWFzcy1sYXlvZmZz?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwigtobfgcr9AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQaA2Matthew: https://twitter.com/rgiii/status/1624844834333921280?s=46&t=I5r8zBv1XJrNLTbEoblNKA Reach out to The Interface Podcast Crew at ·        interfacepodcast@pros.com OR·        Jenni Plummer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniplummer/ OR ·        Siara Barnes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/siara-barnes-b47a923a/ OR ·        Matthew Negron - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-negron94/ 

03-08

01:12:21

The Interface Crew continues their conversation with the King of Kubernetes, Kelsey Hightower. He discusses how Kubernetes was developed, the process of getting published by O'Reilly, and the importance of joining and creating communities around technology. Highlights"Kubernetes is a tool, but to understand a tool you gotta know what it's used for.""Just because technology is hot and in demand doesn't mean you immediately have a problem too or you may not even want to have that problem.""I went to Wikipedia and found a dolphin because dolphins travel in pods, Kubernetes has pods. And I didn't know, you don't get to pick your animal. O'Reilly already has a collection of hand drawn animals, and when you do your book, they, they tell you, this is your animal.""A lot of people put some differences aside when there's a huge dominating common interest and when that common interest takes place, that becomes a thing that becomes front and center. I'm not saying in those rooms that no one is racist anymore. I'm not saying that. I'm saying is people focus on a common interest that distracts them stuff."

02-16

55:27

The Interface Crew interviews the pioneer of Kubernetes, Kelsey Hightower. Kelsey explains what a Distinguished Engineer at Google looks like, shares the spark that lit the fire to explore a career in technology in the 90s, and how important is to take stock of your skills and recognizing your worth. HighlightsExecutive interview process: They are saying, "We've seen this from afar, and we know what we are getting. We just want to make sure you know what you are getting""When I make decisions now, I ask myself, am I leaving or am I going toward something?""The truth is, good opportunities aren't given, you have to take them" 

02-01

43:57

The Interface Podcast crew talks with Tanisha Hall, Director of IT Application Development at United Airlines, about how being open to and saying ‘yes’ to opportunities has led her to a dynamic and exciting career and how she believes it’s her calling to mentor others coming up. Highlights: “I always push for mentors in the field you want to study. It’s important because it can help guide you in your career…get involved with likeminded people.”“Create your own path. There are free classes everywhere; it’s just a matter of seeking those out if its something you want to do.”“Data Base Administrators (DBAs) are like superheroes!"“…once you are at the top levels, it’s important to reach back…mentorship is one of my ministries.” Links·        Tanisha O. Hall (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanishahall/·        Siara Heat Check: Lensa - https://mashable.com/article/lensa-ai-app-explainer·        Jennifer Heat Check: Google Doodle – Jerry Lawson https://www.google.com/doodles/gerald-jerry-lawsons-82nd-birthdayReach out to The Interface Podcast Crew at ·        interfacepodcast@pros.com OR·        Jenni Plummer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniplummer/ OR ·        Siara Barnes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/siara-barnes-b47a923a/ OR ·        Matthew Negron - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-negron94/ 

01-18

01:09:40

The Interface Podcast crew takes a journey through Bukola Akinfaderin’s professional career from being unable to find an engineering job after graduating from college to developing a viral mobile app that brought the African radio community to Blackberry devices all over the world. She discusses her experience of how she navigates her world often being the only or one of few black women in the room.  She shares how her fearlessness and curiosity has helped her build a well-rounded career that led her to running the Mobile Application team at Carvana.  Links (Guest LinkedIn, publications, guest website, Heat Check sources)·        Bukola Akinfaderin – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bakinfaderin/·        Bukola Akinfaderin – App Coming Soon!: The Glow Up App·        Bukola Akinfaderin - Website: therealappqueen.com  ·        Bukola Akinfaderin - Instagram: @theappqueenReach out to The Interface Podcast Crew at ·        interfacepodcast@pros.com OR·        Jenni Plummer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniplummer/ OR ·        Siara Barnes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/siara-barnes-b47a923a/ OR Matthew Negron - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-negron94/ 

01-04

01:06:07

Try Everything: The Power of Perspective feat. Maurice Holt Maurice has been a developer for more than 20 years, when he graduated in 1984, computer science was VERY new. He made straight A’s in computer science in high school without trying, and it gave him some direction as far as a career. He got a scholarship to Texas A&M where he was the only athlete with a computer science major. Everyone thought he was crazy for it, but it was his passion, and he had a knack for it. He graduated and got an internship in Dallas and then was hired by IBM to work for NASA where he had a black female manager who mentored him and gave him an opportunity. Specialized for a long time in UI development.  Looks for opportunities to be able to give back – 6:30 Try everything, be well-rounded – 7:00  Links (Guest LinkedIn, publications, guest website, Heat Check sources) Siara - GM unveils $30,000 electric SUV that will be one of the cheapest EVs available Matthew - US Senator seeks antitrust review of apartment price-setting software | Ars Technica Jennifer - https://uhcode.red Reach out to The Interface Podcast Crew at  interfacepodcast@pros.com OR Jenni Plummer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniplummer/ OR  Siara Barnes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/siara-barnes-b47a923a/ OR  Matthew Negron - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-negron94/   

11-16

49:33

Episode 10 Show Notes - Learning about User Experience with Thomas WatkinsNOTE: This episode was recorded on December 1st, 2021Learning about User Experience with Thomas Watkins, Principal and Founder of 3 Leaf Thomas Watkins started out studying psychology, was interested in cognitive psychology, then got accepted to George Mason University’s Human Factors program (the original name for UX). He continued his studies after that but really didn’t have a career goal. Then he started working at PROS, where he began working with the software. After his time at PROS, Thomas went into consulting and fell in love with working with startups, where he felt he had more strategic influence over what a product could be. This led Thomas to create his own consulting company, 3Leaf, where the focus is to combine technology with design psychology in order to drive business success.  “To start out, get good at something” “Fall in love with the trade, the craft” “Go deep before you go wide – so you can join a team and add value”  https://www.3leaf.consulting/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/watkinsthomas/  Reach out to The Interface Podcast Crew at interfacepodcast@pros.com OR Jenni Plummer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniplummer/ OR Siara Barnes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/siara-barnes-b47a923a/ OR Matthew Negron - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-negron94/