2024 Be You in Tech Summit: “Changing Your Narrative: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome"

3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
603 Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub

Join us for the third annual Be You in Tech Summit! This year's event, “Changing Your Narrative: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome,” will help you conquer self-doubt and redefine your story!  

Presented by the College of Information Sciences and Technology—generously supported by a grant from the RSM US Foundation—the 2024 Be You in Tech Conference brings together Penn State students and corporate partners in an environment where they can connect, learn, share, and support each other while celebrating and recognizing the strength of diversity in the technology field.

Register by January 26

At this Summit, you will 

  • Be inspired by our keynote speaker, who will share their story and the strategies they used to triumph over imposter syndrome.  
  • Gain valuable perspectives from a panel featuring accomplished IST alumni as they reveal their personal journeys of overcoming doubts, finding their voice, connecting with mentors, and achieving success.  
  • Elevate your networking skills with our interactive Networking Etiquette session, guaranteed to be both fun and engaging! Learn how to connect with your peers, IST alumni, and employers; share experiences; and build a meaningful network that can propel you forward in your professional journey. The Networking Etiquette session includes hearty appetizers and drinks.   

Don't miss this opportunity—generously supported by a grant from the RSM US Foundation—to rewrite your narrative and step into a future filled with confidence and purpose. Register today and embrace the positive change you deserve!  This event is free and open to all members of the Penn State community but is specifically designed for undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in technology careers.

Kevin Afoakwah Headshot

Kevin Afoakwah

Kevin Afoakwah is a software engineer with Lockheed Martin’s Engineering Leadership Development Program, where he supports programs with cloud technology and application development. Kevin graduated from Penn State in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in IST–integration and application option and a minor in security and risk analysis. At Penn State, he served on the executive boards of the National Society of Black Engineers and WIRED IN and worked in the Peer Career Assistant Program. Kevin resides in the Washington, D.C.–Baltimore Area and is pursuing his master’s degree in systems engineering at Cornell University.

 

Jocelyn Bennett Garaway Headshot

Jocelyn Bennett Garraway

Jocelyn Bennett Garraway is the assistant dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology. She leads strategic initiatives to create a welcoming environment that promotes and values diversity, equity, and inclusion for the College of IST community. A licensed professional counselor, she previously served as associate professor and director of the School Counseling graduate program at University of Detroit Mercy.

John Esteves Headshot

John Esteves

John is the manager of the strategic integration and execution team at FreeWheel, a Comcast company that provides comprehensive ad platforms for publishers, advertisers, and media buyers. He earned his bachelor’s degree in IST from Penn State in 2018 and now serves on the IST Alumni Board. As a student, John was active in Penn State’s Theme Park Engineering Group and in the College of Engineering’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Department, where he was a teaching assistant working on Invent Penn State initiatives. John, who lives in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, serves on the boards of directors for the Clinton County LBGTQ Network and North Central District Allied Connections.

Sudhir Kondisetty Headshot

Sudhir K. Kondisetty

Sudhir Kondisetty is a national technology risk consulting leader. As an RSM consulting principal, he sets the strategy and focus for IT risk services and oversees projects involving internal audits, financial regulatory compliance, security, enterprise risk management and more. Sudhir is the leader of the Philadelphia office, where he aims to grow all lines of business while promoting the careers of his employees. With 30 years of experience in the industry, Sudhir is helping his clients build practical solutions to protect their financial and data security interests.

Shalini Tiwari Headshot

Shalini Tiwari

Shalini is the vice president of wealth management digital marketing at Morgan Stanley. She graduated from Penn State in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in IST, a minor in security and risk analysis, and a certificate from the National Security Agency in cybersecurity. Shalini was a founding member of Penn State Fanaa and served on the executive boards of the Multicultural Greek Council and Penn State Infusion. As a first-generation immigrant, she was inspired to create the Saheli Collective, a non-profit that connects ambitious women with peers and mentors who are passionate about empowerment through shared cultural intricacies.

Korey Wallace Headshot

Korey Wallace

Korey is a technical applications consultant for DuPont's Global IT & Processes. He graduated with his B.S. in IST, with a specialization in geographical information sciences, and a certificate from the NSA in cyber security. With DuPont, Korey works to standardize global technologies & processes across the organization to reduce the costs when it comes to corporate mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. During Korey's time at Penn State, he was a member of the IST Diversity Network, the Penn State Boxing Team, and worked as a web developer for the Daily Collegian. Korey has just finalized his Master's in Business Administration from the University of Texas and resides in Wilmington, DE.

RSM US LLP is the U.S. member of RSM International, a global network of independent firms that provides audit, tax and consulting services to the middle market. With over 11,000 employees across the U.S. and Canada and a global presence in 123 countries, our purpose is to deliver the power of being understood to our clients, colleagues and communities. As first-choice advisors, we are focused on developing leading professionals and innovative services to meet our clients’ evolving needs in today’s ever-changing business environment.

Through a supportive, caring culture, our people are empowered to be their authentic selves and share their unique perspectives. Our culture of diversity and inclusion enhances the insights we provide while transforming innovation, collaboration and business results through fostering an inclusive environment, working hard to engage a talented workforce and reflect our diverse community, and developing relationships that serve others in business and the broader community. Together, our people’s individual talents and diverse perspectives strengthen our teams and enhances the unique insights that we provide to our clients.

For more information, visit rsmus.com

Be You in Tech is a series of events and programs hosted by Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology that aim to inform, inspire, and empower. Every initiative in the series is designed to help participants understand the role of diversity and inclusion in their personal and professional lives through knowledge-sharing, reflection, and community building. By sharing lived experiences and challenging established standards, Be You in Tech creates unique learning environments where everyone can explore how to be their authentic selves and create inclusive spaces for others.

For more information, visit ist.psu.edu/be-you.