A Conversation With The Blacks in Technology Foundation About Increasing Representation in Tech

The latest episode of Udacity's Learning Lab podcast features Dennis Schultz, the Executive Director of the Blacks in Technology Foundation (BiT). He joins the podcast to discuss increasing representation in the tech industry, why corporations should keep diversity top-of-mind, and why BiT partnered with Udacity to offer a new scholarship for underrepresented communities.

Today, we’re here with Sidney Wells — Senior Airman, U.S. Air Force and Udacity student. After receiving his Bachelor’s in Theology from Georgetown University, Sidney joined the U.S. Air Force to start a new career. With both the Full Stack Web Developer and Intermediate Javascript Nanodegrees under his belt, Sidney filled his knowledge gaps and successfully became a software engineer focused on web development in the U.S. Air Force. Sidney shares the numerous benefits he’s enjoyed from his learning experience with Udacity and explains the importance of “knowing your why” when you first get started in your Nanodegree program.

Today, we’ll be chatting with Udacity student and software engineer Linda Chen. While she graduated with a Master’s in Business back in 2019, Linda is now paving herself a different career path — she’s eager to put her web development skills to work. Impressed by the fact that people in the industry actually use Udacity to transition into technical fields, Linda took both the Data Science and Full Stack Web Developer Nanodegrees. Currently, she’s working on crossing the C++ and Data Streaming Nanodegree programs off her list as well. Linda discusses what differentiates Udacity from the competition and what you can expect from your Nanodegree program.

Today, we’re here with Udacity student and now backend blockchain developer Ringaile Valiaugaite. Intrigued by how blockchain technology solves problems, Ringaile enrolled in Udacity’s Blockchain Developer Nanodegree program with the goal of transitioning from her role as a Java Technologies IT consultant to working in blockchain development. Post completing the Blockchain Nanodegree, not only has Ringaile launched a career as a backend developer for blockchain applications, she’s also taken home awards from multiple blockchain hackathons. Ringaile shares what makes the Udacity learning experience so unique and what to do if you’re considering starting your own Udacity learning journey.

In today’s episode, we’ll be exploring the impact digital transformation has on individuals, businesses, and society at large. Digital transformation is changing how we work and live. Quickly. As business and market requirements shift, we all must adapt to keep pace. Lifelong learning is a strategy we can all apply as we transition into an even more digital world. Sanyam Bhutani is a Udacity student and lifelong learner. Listen as he shares his learning journey with us today. Without further ado, meet Sanyam — avid blogger, Hacker Noon journalist, machine learning engineer, and so much more.

Today we’ll be speaking with Udacity student Noha Abuaesh. Four years out of her Master’s program in Computer Science and Engineering, Noha decided she wanted to reenter the workforce. But, considering how quickly things change in the programming world, getting back in the game is a huge feat. Two Nanodegrees later (Intro to Programming and Blockchain Developer), Noha shares the struggles and victories along her road to becoming a blockchain engineer. Plus, how Udacity has helped change her attitude, mindset, and confidence!

Today, we are witnessing rapid advancements in the field of autonomous flight. Drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), are being used in remarkable ways all over the world—from helping to fight malaria in Malaysia, to supporting wildlife conservation in Florida. Drones are also being used for site surveying, package delivery, event videography, and even weather forecasting. In this episode, we begin with Adam Bry, CEO of aerial robotics company Skydio, who discusses software, and the future of autonomous flight. Then, we take off into regulation of UAVs, and explore the automated photogrammetry of Drone Deploy. We also look at advances in commercial drone technology, with the host of the Commercial Drones FM podcast, Ian Smith. The skies are alive with innovation, and this is your chance to see what’s in store for the future of flight!

The Drawing Board talks with Albert De Plazaola, Global Strategy Leader at Unispace, and a specialist in design strategy, workplace strategy, and change management. Unispace has helped build workspaces for companies including GE, SAP, Slate Magazine, Virgin, WeWork, Infosys and hundreds more, and in this episode, we pursue a definitive answer to the age-old question: to cubicle, or not to cubicle?