Hidden Gems: Meet Erica Mitchell of Tech Women of ATL

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Mitchell

Hi Erica, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Erica, and I am proud to be part of the 3% of Black women in the tech workforce in the United States. I moved to Atlanta in 2011, and it quickly became a source of inspiration for me. Throughout my professional career, I always sought a passion I could excel in, but I never quite found it until I discovered technology.

I began my career in client-facing roles, but everything changed when the company I worked for decided to create a software application and appointed me to manage it. This experience opened up a new world for me. I was fascinated by the development team and realized that I had found my passion—or so I thought. I invested all the money I had saved in myself and enrolled in a Full-stack web development boot camp, hoping to become a software engineer. However, I soon discovered that software development was not for me. After six months of boot camp and learning 26 programming languages, I had no idea what I was going to do next.

It became clear to me that my strengths lay in managing development, rather than in development itself. Today I have come full circle, and I am a Technical Project Manager. I am an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusivity in all fields of technology. As well as, IT accessibility and ownership for underrepresented groups. Most importantly, I help people like myself transition into tech from their everyday jobs.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There were many struggles along the road of finding my way into tech. In 2021, I was laid off six months after I bought my cute little condo. After a short while, I could not pay my mortgage, and all my credit turned to debt. My whole world was shaken. However, there’s a great Tao question about how we see opportunity. It asks, “Is a crisis in your life actually an opportunity to follow through on an unrealized dream?” My dream was financial security. This dream is shared by many women. But how dare I find this dream within the male-dominated tech field, where women like me don’t see themselves as belonging? That was my biggest struggle. Not seeing myself in a world that I so badly wanted to be a part of. This is why representation and mentorship is so important.

I also struggled with not knowing my way. As mentioned, I had spent my whole savings on a development boot camp only to realize I didn’t want to be a developer. I recommend that anyone trying to enter a technology field evaluate their transferable skills, interests, and learning styles. This reflection will help you excel in whatever technical area you choose to explore.

We’ve been impressed with Tech Women of ATL, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started a business called Your Tech Offer to help individuals transition into the tech field. I created a step-by-step guide and workbook that covers how to find your tech path, tailor your resume, optimize your LinkedIn profile, find resources, ask the right interview questions, and negotiate your salary, among other things. While this venture is very close to my heart, I felt that simply writing about transitioning into technology wasn’t enough.

I remembered how alone I felt during my own journey and wanted to provide something more meaningful for others. This is how Tech Women of ATL was born. We are a community of women in tech and those aspiring to enter the field, coming together to support one another as we navigate the tech world. Our community consists of talented women who offer advice, hold space, and connect through events around Atlanta.

It is truly a community of women who want to see each other succeed. Our core values center around education, wellness, and community.

Through education, we provide training and skill development in various technology fields. Our events feature speakers and hands-on instructors who share their knowledge with attendees interested in advancing their careers.

In terms of wellness, we emphasize the importance of self-care and healing in a demanding profession. We offer resources to help maintain work-life balance and support mental and physical health as individuals transition into tech roles or navigate their current positions.

Lastly, through community initiatives, we partner with businesses and organizations that align with our mission to support underrepresented groups.

How do you think about luck?
I am a firm believer in manifestation. I live by the saying, “Everything that is mine is already on its way.”

This is one of my favorite affirmations. It doesn’t mean we sit and wait for opportunities to fall into our laps. This affirmation serves as a foundation for manifesting opportunities. This affirmation is about building intuition, so much so that you undoubtedly know what is for you when it comes along. I’ve found that embracing this affirmation leads to a life filled with gratitude and inner peace, empowering me to shape my desires.

Pricing:

• Your Tech Offer Guide and Workbook – $73.33
• There is currently no fee to join Tech Women of ATL

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.techwomenofatl.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techwomenofatl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1B43kWe8dX/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-women-of-atl/
• Other: https://twoa.kit.com/welcome