The second entry in our new Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent Women in Tech Spotlight.
1. Introduce yourself and your position in the tech industry.
A: I am Keerthana Madhavan, a final-year computer science student at the University of Windsor. I am currently a Cybersecurity Intern at the Bank of Canada.
2. How many years have you worked in the field?
A: I have been working in Cybersecurity for about a 2 years with Women in Cybersecurity, Ceridian, and the Bank of Canada.
3. What made you choose a career in the tech industry?
A: I chose STEM because it’s an opportunity to make a difference in the world that I seek with the power of 1s and 0s. As a computer science student, I believe that I can contribute to any team with my creative, analytical, and development skills, especially in cybersecurity. I have already made significant contributions to my Vulnerability Management team at the Bank of Canada in a very short period.
4. What do you love most about your current job/role?
A: I love the environment and culture at the Bank of Canada. It keeps me on my toes every day. I have researched and developed and delivered 2 significant tools and many others in progress. I love my job because it includes research, collaboration with industry leaders in cybersecurity, and an opportunity to make use of my skills and deliver work that is used every day. I am grateful to work in a very friendly environment and they motivate me a lot every day. Development combined with cybersecurity gives me QUANTICO-like experience and that’s what I enjoy the most.
5. What should we be telling younger generations of women who are interested in working in tech?
A: Never be afraid to start. Computer Science is for everyone. With a computer science degree or knowledge, you can seek the change you want to see in this world. The power of 1s and 0s is unbelievable.
6. What role can male team members play to best support their female peers in the business and tech world?
A:Treat you equally! My internship at the Bank of Canada was a life-changing experience for me. I was never treated as an intern nor ever based on gender because they believe young talent is their future. This environment pushed me to reach the peak and work on projects that bring out my creative development abilities.
7. How can women take action and ownership of their professional futures?
A: Start Now!! It’s never too young or late to step foot in tech. Reach out to tech experts in YQG and network with a Windsor professional to see where you can begin. Maybe take a computer science course or two at St. Clair College or the University of Windsor to see how it will be a life-changing experience for you. Remember once you realize the power of 1s and 0s, you will be aiming for Mt. Everest.
8. What can businesses do to better support and empower their female workers and leaders now?
A: Start treating them Equally! Don’t be obligated to hire women because you must show diversity but rather start treating them equally and you would be amazed to see the results, we can bring in. Personally, I was fortunate to have some mentors, male friends who believed in me, supported me, and most importantly worked with me in tech. This motivated me to put in full effort to come to the place where I am now.
9. What is the best professional advice you’ve ever received?
A: “If you feel the world is against your goal, then that goal should be the path you must take on.”
10. What motivates you every day?
A: I have some major goals to accomplish in my part of the world. I should be making progress every day to reach my peak and that’s what motivates me.