Libby Bradford,听coordinator of outreach and student career management at Break Through Tech for the Department of Computer Science at听George听Mason听麻豆国产,听used to be a female percussionist. She knows first-hand what it鈥檚 like to be the only girl in the room.听
It takes a lot of gumption to be in that kind of situation, she says, but it can be worth it.听
鈥淥ne of the things I love to do is help students find opportunities, especially women and underrepresented students,鈥 Bradford says. 鈥淚 want them to know there are听computer science and听information technology opportunities听for them, and听to not be afraid. It鈥檚 an exciting career path to explore.鈥澨
With a career spanning over two decades in the education field, and two master鈥檚 degrees under her belt, Bradford brings plenty of experience to her role at Break Through Tech.听Although her music background may at first seem counterintuitive to the work she currently does, she says it has given her the creative scope to help college听students.听
鈥淓ach student is different, and has a different journey, different aspirations,鈥 she says. 鈥淪ometimes it takes outside of the box thinking and brainstorming to help them get where they want to go. My experience with music sets me up perfectly for this as my mind is trained听to find those creative solutions.鈥澨
Listening听well听and听being open to听learning are traits she has picked up along the way, and she says these skills are instrumental when it comes to working with students, or talking to companies.听
She sees learning more about Break Through Tech students in the coming months, getting them into the workspace as soon as possible, expanding听Sprinternships, and getting more companies on board are just a few of the goals she鈥檒l focus on.听
鈥淚鈥檓 in a job I love,鈥 Bradford says. 鈥淗elping students, helping companies听see their talent, and matching them up is so rewarding. I wouldn鈥檛 want听to听do anything else.鈥澨
For more information听about听Break Through Tech, visit听听
Libby Bradford can be reached at听听