Natalie Contreras talks about Persistence, Perseverance and Tech Justice

Persistence

#Tech Justice

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Persistence #Tech Justice <>

Hack the Hood is more than a technical skills learning program. At Hack the Hood, we provide professional development, access to networks and resources in the tech community, mentorship and career navigation support, along with on-site office visits to Bay Area tech companies, and committed staff who reflect the identities of the community we serve. Combined, these factors allow us to pave a pathway for young people to be successful in their tech careers. Natalie Contreras’ saw the opportunities offered by Hack the Hood and made the most of her 12-week education program, making her own way into her tech career. Learn about her journey, what ignited Natalie to take a 12-week course at Hack the Hood, and how she eventually landed her a position at Adobe as the Program Manager for the Digital Academy Scholarship Program.

What was your role at Hack the Hood and were you also employed ?

Natalie Contreras: While taking the Hack the Hood program, I was also a student intern and that quickly evolved into a Junior Instructor role. After I had completed the initial 6-week program, I would still show up, participate and attend opportunities.
I became an Instructor, a Tech Fellow, and a Small Business Coordinator which supported two cohorts in San Francisco and Oakland. 
I enrolled in the Intro to Digital Marketing course and Intro to Coding class, and really took an interest in everything that was offered at Hack the Hood.

What was your journey like from the time you left Hack the Hood to when you landed at Adobe?

Hack the Hood had a major impact on me. In my first 6-week bootcamp, I had the opportunity to apply for a scholarship for the Digital Academy Program through Adobe. The scholarship provided tuition to Adobe’s 12-week bootcamp, with the potential to intern with teams at Adobe, and depending on your performance, a full-time role could be offered. I was just starting out, but I had a willingness to learn. I applied and was offered the scholarship. The program required me to commit fully, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and I couldn’t work. I did struggle but I was passionate about the program and knew the larger purpose of why I was in that space. 

I interviewed for an internship position at Adobe and was placed on a team where I was able to use the skills that I learned at Hack the Hood and the immersive program at General Assembly. 

I didn’t end up getting a full-time role, but I remained professional and networked with the people I met as an intern. I was proactive and wanted to make sure people remembered me, so I said “Thank you so much for the opportunity, I've learned so much, and please keep me in mind for future opportunities. Who are some people I can connect with?” I believe this helped me lay the foundation for working relationships.

Hack the Hood reached out and asked me to teach a class. And a few months later, a lead from the Adobe program called and offered me a part-time position with room for growth. 

Shout out to my mentor Liz Lowe, her skill set and emotional intelligence is really important for marginalized communities with non-traditional backgrounds. Her leadership was empowering, she’s truly seen me, always supported my growth,  and provided feedback to help me improve.

How long have you been at Adobe? What are you currently doing in your position? 

I have been the Program Manager for the Adobe Digital Academy Scholarship Program since 2019. I’m also on the Philanthropy Social Responsibility Impact Team. 

Are you applying and using any of the skills you learned at Hack the Hood in  your current job? 

Everyday. I understand and can better support folks in the program who are coming in from underrepresented backgrounds or switching careers because I spent a lot of time learning introductory programming and development. I went through the same program, and that gives me an edge I can use to serve others. 

Outside of my job, I feel a sense of urgency  to share my skills with the different communities that I’m a part of, including folks in different fields of work, artists, creatives,  community organizations, and different tribes through Natives in Tech (of which I am a board member). 

There is a program coming up with Indigenous and AI (artificial intelligence) code camp. What would it look like to empower these communities to share their traditional, ecological knowledge and wisdom using digital tools as the world shifts into the digital age?

I’m fueled by the legacy and history of the Bay Area in terms of activism and social justice. I’m also trying to up my game in financial literacy. It’s not only good enough to save my money, I need to invest it too. These are new conversations for me. How do I know what I’m supposed to do and when? Who’s doing that and has done it similarly and can share that information with me? 

What’s been something surprising you’ve learned being in the tech work space?

I’ve learned how people tap into good benefits and invest, and can use that to buy property and houses. That's how they do it, it's really impressive. Had I not been in that space, it would have taken longer for me to know this information. But it's never too late. 

There has been so much change in the industry from when I applied to Hack the Hood in 2017 to now. There is so much opportunity and tech companies will never have enough people to meet the demand, the rate of change is so constant that it creates an incredible door for people like me.

It's okay to aspire to work for a company, but if you can create something and build it on the side, that's even better. Make sure that you’re working towards something greater so you feel proud of what you’ve accomplished. Tech can be a vehicle to do other cool stuff. 

What are your favorite apps or new technologies you’re using?

I have an app graveyard, because I download apps and then don’t use them. Unless an app sticks, I won't have a use for it, it just takes up memory on my phone. 

I do appreciate apps’ ability to bring people together from certain backgrounds, to share history that's digestible, current news , science, fashion and art. I don't get that from flipping through the tv channels. I don’t own a tv and haven’t had one since 2011. I feel like I have friends all over the world; Alaska, the Amazon, South America… All of this was highlighted during the first few months of the pandemic when people across the globe were sharing what was happening in their lives.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is the one I have now. I get to use every aspect of who I am. My purpose is to create something long- lasting where I can blend my creative background and technical skills to create a  legacy for world cultures and Indigenous folks. I know that it's possible but I need to keep learning and climbing a little bit more. I do feel very aligned and in communication with my ancestors and keep hearing “The world needs your unique gifts, don’t leave them inside. 

Do you have any words of advice for new students and alumni at Hack the Hood? Any words of wisdom you want to share?

Get the money! Seriously, I’m not playing, we need capital to do stuff! If we can’t change the systems, then we have to use systems to learn and get what we want out of them so we can do the things we actually want to do. 

Tech can provide a different kind of freedom for your life that should be explored to find resources and opportunities. Traditional education systems are outdated and not up to speed with the things that we need or that can help us in tech. We have to create and build our own path.

For the younger generations, tech needs to be in a healthy balance. I don't think tech is going to solve all of our problems, tech is interconnected. As a consequence of big tech here in the Bay Area, it is tied into the difficulties of accessing equitable housing and financial security.

I also believe that if we can learn the landscape, we can better maneuver it and blend a bit of both worlds in the way that we want, as it's only going to keep advancing. The longer we wait, the further we get left behind. Credentials will bring access to financial resources, but a curious mind will always ensure that you find a way to be creative and bring opportunities to you, and thats for the ladies and non-binary and non gendered peoples and guys as well. But we’re more at a disadvantage, we need to secure the bag!

We love success stories from our Alumni! We know that all pathways are not linear, and sometimes you have to create your own. Hack the Hood provides the tools and resources for learners to achieve their goals and be the architect of their futures. Sign up to volunteer or donate to Hack the Hood so that we may continue to provide access to a better future for generations to come!