National Hispanic Heritage Month takes place each year from September 15th – October 15th, and is a time to recognize the culture and wonderful contributions of Hispanic individuals (those with roots from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America).
In this latest Inclusive Conversation (a series we created to spotlight minority voices in the workplace), I spoke with our Senior Systems Engineer, Yosimir Acosta representing the Dominican Republic, and our VP of Finance, Melissa Diaz, representing Puerto Rico and Mexico. During our discussion, we spoke about each panelist’s heritage, their individual experiences, barriers they may have faced in the tech industry, and perspectives on collective issues that the Hispanic community faces.
Here are some snippets from our conversation:
What barriers, if any, have you faced as a Hispanic American?
Both panelists discussed the struggles they have seen within their community when it comes to stepping out and seeking roles that may provide better opportunities. They expressed that many individuals within the Hispanic community have not been exposed to a variety of industries, and as a result, are limited when it comes to branching out into new fields.
What do you think would make the tech space a bit more inclusive to individuals of Hispanic heritage?
There was a consensus among panelists that at a corporate level, companies could do a better job when it comes to hiring and making roles more accessible. This could be done in a variety of ways, from posting on POC job boards, being realistic with job descriptions and role levels, rethinking degree requirements, and allowing for more entry-level roles.
On an individual contributor level, panelists spoke about the importance of referring members of their community. Reaching out to someone could make the difference in their confidence level to step into an industry they are unfamiliar with.
In conclusion, it is apparent that there are many strides that need to be made in order to increase opportunities for Hispanic individuals. At 33Across, we hope to be a part of that change.
If you’re interested in learning more about Hispanic heritage/culture, here are the group’s suggestions:
Shows/movies/documentaries:
Hispanic dishes:
Check out our previous Inclusive Conversations:
By: Avalon Benoit | People & Culture Manager at 33Across
