Working in tech as a Black autistic woman – with Martina Kuzenski
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
05/27/24
•44m
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Martina Kuzenski is a late-diagnosed autistic woman who received her autism diagnosis at age 28 near the end of her Master's degree program. She is an IT Specialist for the U.S. federal government. She shares her experiences as a Black autistic woman in tech as a mentor for the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program and as a co-author of the best-selling book "Ladies in Tech: Sharing Expertise for a Successful Career".
During this episode, Martina talks about:
- Discovering that she is autistic in her late twenties, and what her life was like growing up
- How she got into a tech career
- Her experience of not being "seen" in the tech industry as a Black autistic woman
- The importance of mentorship, and why she decided to become a P-TECH program mentor
- The challenges she has faced when trying to find leadership programs for neurodivergent people
- Why she doesn't feel "autistic enough" in autistic spaces, and the flaws she sees in the neurodiversity movement
Connect with Martina on LinkedIn and read her writing on Diary of Self (Martina's blog posts about neurodiversity) and her book "Ladies in Tech: Sharing Expertise for a Successful Career."
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.
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Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*
Previous Episode
Hiring people with Down syndrome - with Joshua Hoskins
May 13, 2024
•16m
Joshua Hoskins is a 25 year old man with Down syndrome who lives in Tamworth, England with his parents. He loves his family and friends, and his hobbies are horse riding, boxing, musicals, supporting Newcastle United Football team, going out on trips and going on holiday.
Josh has two jobs: he loves them both and has great buddies at each place. Josh's Mum Debbie helps him create posts on LinkedIn every week, because Josh wants to help other people with Down syndrome to get a job if they want to.
During this episode, you will hear Josh and Debbie talk about:
- How he had found his job at Marshall Fleet Services with WorkFit, and how the Down's Syndrome Association in the UK prepared him for the role
- What he does in his role with Marshall Fleet Solutions, and what he likes the most about it
- How LinkedIn helped him find his second job at Movianto
- What inspired him to write about his life and work on LinkedIn
- How work has helped him grow as a person, build positive relationships with his coworkers, and support his local community
- Why employers should consider hiring people with Down syndrome, and how employers can include them in their companies
Follow Joshua Hoskins on LinkedIn to read his weekly posts.
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.
Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*
Next Episode
Aashna Parikh is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant and inclusive marketing specialist based in India. Living with cerebral palsy and learning disabilities, she has consulted and collaborated with Forbes-listed and Fortune 500 companies across diverse sectors such as Fintech, Sustainability, Agriculture, and Technology. A strong advocate for neurodiversity, disability, and gender, she examines these issues through an intersectional lens.
During this episode, you will hear Aashna talk about:
- What was it like growing up and going to school with cerebral palsy and learning disabilities
- Living with disabilities in a world where people tell her she "doesn't look disabled"
- The type of work that she does as a DEI consultant
- Her thoughts on DEI through an intersectional lens
- How DEI is addressed in different countries
- Her advice for requesting accommodations at work and in job interviews
Connect with Aashna on LinkedIn or via email at aashnacparikh at gmail.com .
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.
Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*
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