Austin Latinos In Tech Galvanize For Industry Representation

AUSTIN, TX — The tech industry is booming in Austin, yet Hispanic representation in the burgeoning industry remains woefully inadequate. In an effort to remedy that inequity, members of the group Latinos in Tech are coming together this week to celebrate one another and learn.

The gathering of Latino techies is timed to coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month which kicked off Sept. 15 and runs through Oct. 15. The gathering of Latinos in tech is scheduled on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Facebook Austin, and will include a panel of Latino leaders from Facebook, VMWare, VRBO and AMD.

Panelists will detail their experiences as a Latino in tech in Austin — the good, the bad and, yes, the ugly — along with the lessons taken from their efforts to acclimate into the white-dominated industry. Latino techies also will share actionable advice on how to build a career in the predominately white and male tech industry, while staying true to their deeply rooted cultural roots.

Why is this type of event so important? Over the last few years, there has been a huge influx of tech companies and tech jobs in Austin, many of the practitioners from far outside Texas (think California). Clearly, the demand yields a tremendous opportunity for the tech-savvy among us in Austn. However, the predominant group invariably left behind are member of the Latino segment. The representation of Latinos in tech is jarring: Latinos make up only 6.8 percent of workers in computer and math jobs.

Related story: Facebook Unveils New Downtown Austin Space

Enter the Latinos in Tech Austin community, which is intent on changing the trend. With their upcoming event, members present just one way of reversing the trend of inequity by celebrating Latinos in tech in Austin, bringing attention to the issues and creating an open dialogue around what can be done to get more Latinos into tech and help those in tech succeed.

Details

• What: Latinos in Tech Austin Celebration - "Owning Our Identity & Shaping Our Narrative"
• Date: Wednesday, Sept. 18th
• Time: 6 p.m. to-8 p.m. CT
• Location: Facebook Austin at Third + Shoal, 607 W. 3rd St.

Top photo: Lighting up an oversize "like" button to mark the grand opening of the Facebook Austin headquarters were (left to right): Ana Martinez, head of Policy and Community Engagement for Austin; Katherine Shappley, head of the Austin office and vice president of Facebook's North American Global Business Group; Sen. Kirk Watson; and Dr. Richard Rhodes.