August 17th, 2023 — New York City

At BrainStation’s NYC Campus, a diverse panel of distinguished technology leaders recently shared their experiences and insights on what it takes to start and grow a successful career in various areas of technology — including software engineering, data science, and cybersecurity.

The panelists, each a trailblazer in their respective fields, captivated the audience with actionable advice and personal anecdotes from their own careers.

The lineup included:

• Tatiana Sorokina, Executive Director, Analytics Products at Novartis

• Meera Munjal, Cybersecurity and Privacy Consultant at PwC

• Isabel Bolger, Software Engineer at Microsoft

Moderated by Alex Segal, Senior Manager of Education Experience at BrainStation, the group delved into the panelists' paths to career success and the strategies they employed to excel in their careers. Several core themes emerged throughout the night, including an emphasis on projects, portfolios, and volunteer experience, as well as leveraging existing skills and obtaining certifications as a way to stand out.

For aspiring cybersecurity professionals, Meera Munjal recommended that technologists familiarize themselves with the operations and the business aspect of organizations they hope to help secure. She also stressed the importance of identifying and focusing on sub-categories, or specialty areas within security, such as cloud security — where Meera suggested there was a growing demand for qualified professionals. Aspiring technologists can also register their interest and skills on PwC’s Talent Exchange, where they can discover open roles, opportunities to contribute to projects, and network with other professionals.

As the evening concluded, attendees left inspired, equipped with a newfound understanding of tech career pathways.

Learn more about the cybersecurity courses available at BrainStation.