How I’ve Built My Career as a Woman of Color in Tech

Tina Webster’s decision to pursue a career in tech was based solely on one thing: the ability to build a career in a continuously growing market. Now, she’s the Senior Development and Operations Engineer at Honeywell, a global software-industrial company that delivers aerospace products and services, control technologies for buildings and industry, and performance materials.

The company, which is known for its commitment to innovation, is equally committed to diversity and inclusion. And Webster’s experience as a woman of color and leader in tech attests to this pledge.

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“Honeywell shows their support for diversity by promoting employee resource groups like the Honeywell Women’s Network and Black Employee Network. Honeywell also has a really strong, dedicated diversity and inclusion team,” she says.

She also shared with us her advice for other women of color looking to begin a career in tech and how she’s been able to develop her path at the company. Check it out below. 

How long have you been with Honeywell and what were you doing previously? 

I’ve been a Senior DevOps Engineer at Honeywell for 13 months. I was previously a DevOps Engineer for an airline reservation company for five years.

Tell me a bit about your current role. What are your main priorities or job functions? 

In my current role, I am part of a team tasked with creating and standardizing infrastructure for our developers working across Honeywell. I am working on the application-hosting platform, which will give our developers a centralized location to host their applications.

What first made you interested in pursuing a career in technology? 

I wanted a career that was going to have continuous growth in the market.

Tell me a bit about the beginning of your career at Honeywell. What kinds of things (whether formal onboarding programs or casual interactions) made you feel comfortable? 

The thing that made me feel comfortable at the beginning of my Honeywell career was how much trust and belief they put into employees. Employees’ knowledge and experience is trusted.  

What’s your favorite aspect of your company’s culture? 

I love that Honeywell promotes innovation from every level. You don’t have to be a part of management to make an impact, and you can feel it.

How does your company help support you both as a woman of color and a woman in tech?  

Honeywell shows their support for diversity by promoting employee resource groups like Honeywell Women’s Network and Black Employee Network. Honeywell also has a really strong, dedicated diversity and inclusion team. 

What’s something you think most job seekers don’t know about your company that you think they should? 

I work for Honeywell Connected Enterprise, and we act like a start-up inside a giant company. I think most job seekers don’t realize how employee-friendly and unique the employee experience is here at Honeywell. 

What advice would you give other women of color who are looking to either begin or grow a career in tech? 

I would tell other women to not look at your gender as a hindrance but as a bonus. You provide the most unique perspective in the room. 

What is the most memorable advice you’ve received from a manager or colleague? 

The most memorable advice I’ve received is, “Don’t give yourself a ceiling, and watch how far you can go.” (OK, that’s my personal advice — and I live by it!)

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