Nicole Patton: Paving the Way for Underrepresented Groups in IT

Women in technical roles often encounter obstacles when it comes to promotion and retention within the industry. Yet, Nicole Patton has challenged these norms and emerged as a highly accomplished IT manager, using her expertise to lead successful teams and inspire future generations of women in technology. According to recent statistics from the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT), only 26% of computing-related occupations were held by women in 2020.   

Nicole has broken through the gender gap that plagues the tech industry and has emerged as a respected leader in IT management. She is dedicated to supporting other women in pursuing careers in technology and breaking down barriers. From her humble beginnings tinkering with her first computer to becoming a highly accomplished IT professional with years of experience under her belt, Nicole's journey is one of determination, innovation, and unwavering passion for the intersection of people and technology.  

Breaking Down Barriers for Women   

From a young age, Nicole was fascinated by technology and taught herself how to take apart and reassemble her first computer. She went on to study management of information technology in college and recognized the need to merge her people skills with her IT skills. After finding a school that offered IT management, Nicole obtained a master's degree in IT management and an MBA focusing on systems and analytics, solidifying her knowledge and skills with education.  

Nicole's determination and passion for IT led her to apply for a role with Lockheed Martin, where she started as a help desk analyst for a classified environment. Over the years, she rotated around the company, moving up to become a manager on one of the largest contracts Lockheed had with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Despite encountering few women in her classes and the tech industry as a whole, Nicole never saw her gender as a barrier to pursuing a career in IT. In fact, she was motivated by the opportunity to pave the way for other women and put her face in spaces where they were underrepresented.  

Nicole's journey in IT has not been without its challenges. As a woman in a male-dominated field, she has faced obstacles and stereotypes that she has had to overcome. However, Nicole has never let these challenges hold her back. Instead, she has used her success to start DrivePark Consulting, a career coaching company that provides services to underrepresented groups in the IT industry.  

Empowering Career Development in IT   

DrivePark Consulting, founded by Nicole Patton in 2019, is a career coaching and mentoring company dedicated to empowering underrepresented groups in the IT industry. With over seventeen years of experience in senior IT leadership roles at top companies such as Lockheed Martin and Proskauer Rose LLP, Nicole has a wealth of knowledge and insights to share with those seeking to enter or advance their careers in IT.  

DrivePark Consulting offers personalized career coaching services to individuals and companies looking to help underrepresented groups succeed in IT-related positions, including data analytics, cybersecurity, web development, and software development. Additionally, DrivePark Consulting provides support with resume writing, interviewing skills, and job search strategies to help clients land jobs in their desired fields. The company's approach is focused on an individualized coaching process that allows clients to recognize their skills, set goals, and stay accountable for their progress.  

The company also works with organizations committed to creating opportunities for minorities in the IT industry. Through consultative and speaking engagements, the company shares its expertise in hiring, IT leadership, and industry knowledge to ensure participants of any program get jobs and walk into those new roles confidently.  

Nicole's emphasis on individualized coaching stems from her own career development experiences, which have helped her become a successful IT professional in a field where women and other underrepresented groups are typically overlooked. By providing guidance and support to those facing similar challenges, Nicole is helping to pave the way for greater diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry.  

Passion for Diversity in the IT Industry  

Nicole's firsthand experience with the lack of diversity in the tech industry has fueled her passion for promoting diversity and inclusion. As a woman and a person of color, she understands the value that diversity brings to a team and the challenges that underrepresented groups face in the industry. Nicole believes that companies must make a concerted effort to seek out and hire candidates from diverse backgrounds, recognizing that diversity promotes equity and drives innovation. She also emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself and having conversations with colleagues to address issues such as microaggressions and bias. Through her work, Nicole strives to create a more inclusive and equitable industry for all.  

Nicole believes that the future of IT in terms of diversity, equity, and inclusion requires action and partnerships between organizations with elaborate DEI strategies and smaller organizations that are funneling underrepresented people. She emphasizes the need to create pipelines that will help these people get jobs and close the diversity gap in the industry. According to her, this will lead to a more diverse workforce and the development of technology that reflects a more diverse and inclusive perspective.   

For individuals interested in pursuing a career in IT, Nicole recommends researching the different types of jobs available and understanding the roles and responsibilities that come with each one. "Start searching for terms and really learning what is out there and what some of these companies are asking for from a role and responsibility standpoint. Then the light bulbs will start going off," she says. Once you have a better understanding of the roles that interest you, Nicole recommends grouping them together and researching the pathways to get there. By doing so, they can identify the jobs that are most interesting to them and figure out the path to get there.