Focus on diversity
TYPICAL SOFTWARE OPPORTUNITIES AT DIVERSITY-MINDED EMPLOYERS

African American software engineers find work in many places

New grads need education, experience, commitment and timing to land jobs. "A lot of what I do is team focused, and having that experience will help me in the long run," says Gynequia Hale

By Skip Waugh
Contributing Editor

Software and software engineers are critical to most industries, so even in today's cautiously optimistic business climate, companies work to recruit and retain their software engineering and technical staffs. Most firms see their technical hiring steady or slightly up for the next year. But candidates with the right combination of education, experience, commitment and timing will find opportunities.

"Individuals who are involved in the development of a particular product or service throughout the entire software development life cycle should find themselves uniquely positioned to perform an invaluable service to our global village," says Kevin M. Briscoe, publicist for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). The 10,000 member organization is one of the largest student-focused engineering organizations in the country.

Briscoe says the best way for new grads to position themselves for these jobs is to keep looking outside the classroom. Internships and professional development opportunities are still the best path to take. "NSBE members, for example, attend many professional development seminars, workshops and panel discussions." He adds that software engineers should check out websites of the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon and the IEEE Computer Society. With some determination, new grads can carve out a solid career in software engineering.

However, African Americans hold only about 8 percent of BSCS degrees, according to Women, Minorities, and Persons With Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 2000, a study by the National Science Foundation (Arlington, VA) that was based on figures from 1996. But many African Americans are doing well in the field. Diversity/Careers talked to nine of them.

ITT's Broderick Andrews: "New technologies make the work even more exciting."

Broderick Andrews of ITT Industries finds software work exciting
Seeing his projects from start to finish is the fun part of Broderick Andrews' job. "You get a lot of opportunities to provide input," he says. "When you work with new technologies that kind of input makes the work even more exciting."

Andrews, a software engineer, works at ITT's advanced engineering and sciences (AES) division (Reston, VA). AES provides technology used in national security, information technology and telecommunications. AES is involved in missile defense, communication intelligence, information technology, information management and software and engineering services, among others. Its clients include the U.S. military, government agencies and commercial operations. The division employs over 1,300 people in twenty-three locations. Andrews is in the Ashburn, VA location.

Andrews works in communication, information and intelligence systems within AES. He designs, develops, tests and implements software used in space and satellite system models. He and his team are always on the lookout for ways to improve their results. The ability to add their input throughout the design process makes that happen. Andrews says the team's biggest challenge is controlling their enthusiasm. "We make sure we stay within the scope of the project. As software engineers we see things we want to do, but we have to be patient and remember our current focus."

ITT's Jimmy Bell hopes to get a masters in computer science or networking.

Andrews graduated from Auburn University (Auburn, AL) in 1999 with a BS in computer engineering. He came to ITT on the recommendation of his college roommate Jimmy Bell, who had joined the company the previous year.

While in school, Andrews was active in chapters of the Association of Computing Machinery and the National Society of Black Engineers. He hopes to become active again, but this time as a working professional. He also wants to return to college to earn a masters in engineering management. He hopes the degree and current experience will someday help him land an engineering management position within ITT.

ITT Industries' Jimmy Bell stays focused on challenges
Jimmy Bell knew the opportunities ITT offered when he recruited his college roommate, Broderick Andrews, to join the firm.

Bell, a senior software design engineer, also works in ITT's Advanced Engineering & Sciences division in Ashburn, VA. Bell splits his time between roles as software lead on one project and software developer on another.

He joined the company in 1998 right after graduating from Auburn University (Auburn, AL) with a bachelors in computer engineering. His cousin, who worked in administration, recruited him.

Since joining ITT, Bell found that he likes both computer networking and software development. He is a Cisco Certified Networking Associate and wants to become a Cisco Certified Internet Expert. He hopes one day to pursue a masters in computer science or networking.

His current responsibilities keep him busy. Bell says the low-stress environment of this ITT group keeps the team focused on their daily challenges. "As a developer, you need to keep on top of the language and the technology," says Bell. The environment allows him to concentrate without distraction.

"ITT and the AES division are proud of what we do. We know we are doing a good job when the customer praises our product and our effort."

OCLC's Andrae Steward learns more about IT by providing tech support.

Andrae Steward of Online Computer Library Center keeps on learning
"By providing technical support I can build on my knowledge of the IT industry every day. I really like that about my job," says Andrae Steward of Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) in Dublin, OH. Steward, a development trainee in the corporate systems department, provides technical and software support for the company's employees. He also lends a hand on the help desk.

OCLC provides high-tech library computer services to over 40,000 libraries in eighty-six countries worldwide. The company makes it easier for libraries to catalogue, track and lend library materials.

Steward continues to learn from his colleagues. Most have worked in the industry for a number of years. Steward says that in the past few months his ability to pick up on technical issues has made his colleagues more confident in his skills. As a result, he now works on a wider variety of projects.

Recently Steward worked on OCLC's Enterprise Resource Plan (ERP) and Relationship Management System (RMS) projects. The ERP project changed the company's financial system. The RMS project resulted in new software to help the company better serve its customers in areas ranging from business intelligence information and sales/orders to invoice upgrades.

He was also tapped to work on a new project: developing procedures for the installation of IntelliJ IDEA software on the company's personal computers. The software will make Java development easier. "We hope to use this software to replace some of our licensed software. This will help us lower costs," confides Steward. His duties, he adds, will include software testing, checking for potential program conflicts after the initial installation and writing installation procedures.

Steward graduated from Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) with a BSBA in 2002. He majored in real estate and minored in computer information systems (CIS). An internship with the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS) in downtown Columbus during his junior year hooked him into information technology. During his internship, which ran from June 2000 to December 2001, he created and updated database tables and Powerbuilder reports. He also learned how to pull together technical documentation.

He began another internship with OCLC in February 2002. This time his job responsibilities matched his duties at STRS. He interned with the company until the end of the year. The company then hired him in January 2003.

Steward recently completed his first employee review and was told that he was ready to leave his trainee position. While he waits for what promises to be another exciting assignment with more responsibilities, Steward is sure that he is going to learn more along the way.

Gynequia Hale of John Deere: "An internship is a great way to see what works for you."

John Deere's Gynequia Hale enjoys the teamwork
Gynequia Hale, information technology analyst with John Deere (Moline, IL), is excited by the unlimited possibilities she sees software professionals enjoying. Hale says, "I really like knowing that I can have different relationships with different departments."

John Deere is one of the nation's oldest manufacturers of agricultural, construction, forestry and power equipment. The company now delivers products to customers in over 160 countries around the world. With such a diverse client base, John Deere employees usually work on various teams.

As a member of John Deere's Enterprise Business Applications, Hale teams up with different units, divisions and departments to deliver applications for customer and dealer systems. Her responsibilities include coordinating the group's software integration, systems, usability and support testing.

As a freshman at Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL) Hale became interested in information technology. The college's operations information management department was just starting its second year in 1997 and Hale was eager to find out more. She was fascinated by the way the work combined business and technology. "I wasn't interested in spending all of my time merely coding. I wanted to know more about business operations."

At the end of her junior year she interned through John Deere's Student Training program. The company liked her so much they offered her a job before her senior year. After she graduated with a bachelors in operations information management in 2001, she went to work for the company.

Hale is now working on her masters in instructional technology at a branch of Western Illinois University in the Quad Cities area. She hopes to finish by 2005. "Because of my masters focus, I want to spend some time in the company's learning and development area." She also plans to get more experience in various capacities in other areas of the company.

She says students can prepare for the workplace now by learning how to work in teams. Internships are one way to learn this. "An internship is a great way to see what works for you right now. Another way is to become involved in team oriented activities," she says. "A lot of what I do is team focused and having that experience will help me in the long run."

Denise Gibson's dream of computers leads to DCS
Denise Gibson says she knew early on that she would work in the computer field. "I was so sure that I told my mom I didn't have to learn to cook because I was going to be big in computers and have a maid," she says with a smile. "My husband now suffers for my earlier goal."

Gibson says she became a software engineer because of the support she has always received. She currently works as a software engineer I in DCS Corp's Decision Support department (Lexington Park, MD). The company provides technical products and services to industry and government agencies.

Gibson supports Weapons Engineering Planning System (WEPS) development. She also develops and maintains the Knowledge Management Tool system (KMT). In her work she uses CLIPS, the NASA version of the C programming language. She is adding features now to the KMT and also implementing data changes and upgrades to WEPS.

Gibson says she enjoys her time at DCS. "I appreciate the opportunity for advancement and the wealth of knowledge I can learn from my peers," she says. Her managers, Hilary Allers and Robin Paul, and her project team leader and mentor, Paul Cerkez, provide the support and encouragement that Gibson says will help her succeed in the company.

She graduated from Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, NC) in 1996 with a bachelors in computer science. Internships and co-ops were a vital part of Gibson's career path. She interned with a contractor in Silver Springs, MD whose major client was the Department of Defense. "I built an application that maintained a log of system errors. A user inputs information that the application stores in a database. The information can be sorted, printed, retrieved for modification, etc."

She also was an intern with the military in Indian Head, MD. "I worked on a project to see how certain chemicals affected aircraft parts. The data from these tests and studies were entered into a database and analyzed."

Gibson eventually wants to become a full time C++ programmer and to work with hardware at some point in the future.

FedEx's Rikkilynn Brown: "I can learn more here than I ever did in college."

Rikkilynn Brown is a developer at FedEx Ground
Rikkilynn Brown learned how to build computers in her high-tech high school program. When Brown went to college she figured she better learn how to program those computers if she wanted a career in the field.

Brown attended Lincoln University (Chester County, PA), one of the nation's oldest historically black colleges. She graduated in 2002 with a bachelors in computer science and a minor in accounting.

She joined FedEx Ground (Moon Township, PA) that fall as a developer in the information technology department. FedEx Ground is the nation's second largest ground carrier for small package delivery. The company delivers over 2.1 million packages a day to businesses and homes.

Brown works with the company's Sortation Management System, which enables automated sorting of packages in FedEx Ground hubs to get them to their destinations. She is currently making changes to Dock Editor, an existing program that makes it easier for hub managers to sort packages based on their specific dock layout.

Brown says working at FedEx Ground is never boring. "I like the environment; I work with a great group in a comfortable setting. There is always plenty of work to do." And Brown is still learning. "With training and classes to help me, I learn more here than I think I ever did at college," she says. Those classes, she adds, helped her learn C programming even though she was more familiar with C++. "I also learned the Unix platform. They thought it was an advantage that I did not know anything about Unix. It made it a lot easier to learn."

Brown aims to become a developer analyst, then a systems analyst, and eventually to capture an IT management position with the company.

Rich Young of Los Alamos National Laboratory maintains and updates agency websites.

Rich Young enjoys website design at Los Alamos National Lab
Rich Young is so inspired by the origin and rich history of computers that he wants to learn more.

Young works at Los Alamos National Laboratory (Los Alamos, NM) as a specialist staff member. The lab is part of the Department of Energy and managed by the University of California. The lab focuses on science and technology in areas ranging from national security to biochemistry.

He is part of the Communication Arts and Services Group in the information management division. The group supports the division and its employees by providing website design and maintenance, multimedia, arts and documentation.

Young's group does web design and development. He is mainly responsible for maintaining and updating the lab's various divisional websites. He is also involved in designing new internal or external sites and redesigning old ones. He works with teams like Nonproliferation International Security, Theoretical, Material Sciences and Technology Operations. He also has done some development work on the lab's United Way campaign.

"I really like creating and maintaining those sites," he says. "Even though the client has specific requirements, they give us a lot of creative control." He says that kind of relationship benefits both sides. "We're not happy unless they're happy," he states. Sometimes that means looking for inspiration in unique places. "At times it can be hard coming up with the right design. That's when I might go to a local bookstore to get ideas. I'll look for anything that might spark some inspiration, such as a car magazine."

Finding inspiration and learning is an ongoing process for Young. He graduated from New Mexico State University (Las Cruces, NM) in 1997 with a bachelors in finance. In 1999 he pursued a masters in business administration with an emphasis on information systems. "The program stressed data communications, networking, database administration and programming languages like C++ and SQL."

He interned at the lab while working on his masters degree. "I was doing hardcore database programming using APS Cobal. With some help from colleagues I taught myself how to program," he says. When he finished his degree, the lab brought him on board as a contractor. In 2001 he became a staff member and joined the Communication Arts and Services group.

Reynolds and Reynolds is committed to workplace diversity
The Reynolds and Reynolds Co (Dayton, OH), a technology solutions provider for the automotive industry, anticipates a slight increase in technical hires this year. The company helps car companies and automotive retailers get the tools they need to work with their customers.

Melanie Luckenbach.

"We plan to continue our progressive approach to technology," says Melanie Luckenbach, director of human resources at Reynolds and Reynolds. "Our chief technical officer and his team are forward looking in product development efforts and workplace efficiency. Our environment is designed to be easy, comfortable and flexible to use so that our technical people can thrive with it."

New hires find an organization moving toward Web-based technologies. "Since we are developing Web technologies, we need application developers with an emphasis on object- oriented programs and programming," says Poornima Siddapur, technical recruiter, human resources.

The company's commitment to building a diverse workforce shows in its recruiting and retention efforts. Its workplace diversity initiative has been in place since 1995. Reynolds and Reynolds recently hired a manager of diversity and diversity education. "We expose all employees to diverse views from multiple cultures by encouraging dialogues in small focus group sessions," says Luckenbach.

The company gets a fair number of recruits from employee referrals. It also partners with various organizations and colleges around the country to hire a diverse workforce.

Athens Holloway of Reynolds and Reynolds designs systems the organization will build.

Athens Holloway does research at Reynolds and Reynolds
Athens Holloway is an applications developer for Automark Web Services, a subsidiary of Reynolds and Reynolds. Automark sells Web-enabled inventory and sales management tools to automotive retailers.

Although Holloway holds the title of application developer, he is more a member of the architecture team. He mentors development and support staffs. "I keep them up to date with current technology," he says. For Holloway, that means being familiar with what's happening in the industry.

The other part of Holloway's job is documentation. "I write documentation that includes my own architectural requirements for the solutions our development staff works on."

Holloway helps to design and plan the systems the organization will build. "I really like researching new technologies," he says. "I don't want to get stale in my career." Moving from developer to member of the architecture team gave his career a real boost. "As a developer, I was given a task to complete and turn in. Now that I'm on the architecture side, I write the documentation that includes requirements and hand those out to the developers," he says.

Holloway earned an associates degree in computer science in 2000 from ECPI College of Technology (Virginia Beach, VA). After graduating, he was a contractor with the Department of Defense. He developed solutions, and Internet and intranet sites. He also became certified in Oracle databases. "Most of my work was with the Navy and Naval Sea Systems (NAVSEA)." When the contract ended, he accepted a position with Reynolds and Reynolds to work with Oracle databases.

He has already completed two Microsoft certifications to go with his Oracle certification and he hopes to complete more. Holloway is also working on becoming an MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solution Developer) and a full Oracle developer. He also hopes to complete his bachelors and go on to earn a masters degree.

Holloway says success depends on the hours someone puts in. "You can't get ahead by working eight to five. Getting and keeping that edge requires long hours of research."

Xerox's Allan Brown: "Stay motivated and be willing to put in the extra effort."

Xerox's Allan Brown likes seeing ideas become reality
Allan Brown is a veteran of the software technology field. He suggests that those in the job market should stay focused and not get discouraged. "You'll encounter some things that are overwhelming. The trick is to stay motivated and be willing to put in the extra effort."

Brown originally thought he was destined for a career in chemical engineering. "I came from Wilmington, DE, home of DuPont. The chemical industry is big in that area." He decided on a degree in computer science because he had been involved with computers since high school. "The computer field was new and ready to take off. I thought I could make a decent living in it."

He attended Tuskegee University (Tuskeegee, AL) and did several co-ops and internships. One of those internships he spent writing software for IBM (Manassas, VA) as a part of their defense contracting business. "I wrote diagnostic software for the Trident Submarine and did some IS applications as well."

When he graduated with a degree in computer science in 1990, IBM offered him a position. Instead, he chose Xerox (Webster, NY) after they recruited him at a job fair. His first job was as a software developer.

Xerox manufactures color and black and white digital printers, digital presses and copiers. The company provides services and helps businesses get the most from their document image processing. Long associated with copiers, Xerox's history suggests a deeper technological tradition.

"I came to Xerox thinking it was just a copier company," he says. "I quickly found out I didn't know just how far their heritage in technology went. Now that I've been here for thirteen years, I know we do a lot more than make copiers."

Brown's first job was on DocuTech 135 Production Publisher, a product that revolutionized the copier industry. "I started writing software for a billing application for that system." He stayed with the program until 1993.

Brown has worked in only two areas since joining the company: DocuTech and Production Controller Development. He has held several leadership and management positions in both areas. He also found time to earn a masters in 1998 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY) in computer science.

He is currently the manager of the print and scan platform development team within the production controller development area. He manages a group of forty-five engineers responsible for developing, printing and scanning software called DocuColor iGen3, a production class printer. "My group develops the print controller, a box that sits between the actual print engine and our customer's network. It does a lot of the image processing and image management."

Since he started, Brown says the software field has undergone several significant changes. "In the early 1990s, while technology was changing and maturing, it showed slow but steady growth. A lot of research results never became products because of the limited processing capabilities back then. In the 1990s, hardware processing power blossomed. A lot of things on the drawing board became a reality. These days, software engineering follows a similar path. In the early days, object-oriented languages weren't common. The new languages we see today make software development much easier," he says. "The new hires are exposed to software engineering as a whole because the knowledge base is larger than it used to be."

Companies are looking to increase workforce diversity. Software engineering grads like those interviewed for this article, who seek internships and understand the product development lifecycle, are very employable.

D/C

Skip Waugh is a freelance business writer living in Denver, CO.