Inspirational Women in STEM and Tech: Amanda Udo of GotATek On The 5 Leadership Lessons She Learned From Her Experience

Self Care — I think when people are so caught up in their careers and life they forget something very simple which is to take care of yourself first. It is extremely important to put yourself first. Our spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health have to be intentionally prioritized. There were periods in my life when I tried to single one of these out or sometimes neglected all of them. This resulted in an epic failure during those moments, because they all make up one’s total health, and abandoning any portion can disrupt your routine. The times when I solely focused on my emotional health I would find my physical or spiritual health failing. When I allowed my emotional health to dwindle on the sidelines it would greatly affect my mind. I see where they all complement each other and interconnect to make a person whole.

As a part of our series about “Lessons From Inspirational Women in STEM and Tech”, we had the pleasure of interviewing Amanda Udo.

Amanda is a gal who grew up on Church Ave in Brooklyn, New York, went to public school, plays instruments, and is an avid Christian. Despite facing challenges in her early college endeavors, she remained determined and diligent in completing her degree. Amanda earned her Master of Science in Technology Management and embarked on a lengthy career working for various New York City agencies as a computer and wireless specialist. After fifteen years of providing customer-facing support and gaining hands-on field experience, she realized that entrepreneurship better suited her path. She currently serves as the CEO and founder of GotATek LLC, a company committed to making the use of everyday technology effortless for seniors and seamless for the small business owner.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

I have always been somewhat rebellious, rejecting the idea of blindly following trends. My ambition is fueled by a natural curiosity to find out what would happen if I took an alternative route. Twenty years ago, when I stumbled into the technology field, that curiosity only intensified. I found myself immersed in a predominantly male environment, often being one of the few Black individuals in the room and the only woman for sure. Navigating this landscape was challenging; the absence of representation left me feeling unsupported and unchallenged. As I persevered through the classrooms, meetings, interviews, and job opportunities, the lack of diversity remained. Throughout the experiences and encounters I had within the tech industry it became evident to me that Black women were largely absent from this dynamic no matter where I went. These experiences have served as my motivation to remain engaged and relevant in the field, driving me to take an active stance. They have inspired me to launch my own business, not only to address technological issues but also to contribute to the movement for greater representation of Black women in STEM.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began at your company?

What I believe to be most intriguing about GotATek is the story of its inception. GotATek’s journey began with nothing more than a $5 ad on Craigslist and a prayer. At the time of posting the ad, there was not an official logo or established entity for the company. The idea was to start with what I had at that time, which amounted to only five dollars. It was through faith and that modest sum that I secured my first client, who remained my only client for nearly three months. I view this initial connection as divine intervention because working with this client required a unique set of skills, along with an abundance of patience and restraint to navigate their particular style of communication which included a lot of cussing. The experience taught me that if I could successfully work with this individual, I could handle anyone, no matter how challenging their disposition. While on a session with this client at times I remember thinking to myself that this person’s impatience with technology is unparalleled. Somehow I knew that I was the right person for the job and that propelled me forward to continue providing assistance. Coupled with personal challenges such as postpartum depression, the beginning of my journey seemed to have continuous difficulties bringing on doubts that the company would have longevity. However, I am delighted and deeply grateful to say that this was not the case. GotATek has endured and thrived, continuing to attract new clientele every day.

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Being completely naive to how business works and also anxious to start building capital I assured my clients of indefinite availability. Granted this was during the conclusion of the pandemic when most of us were still working from home. Immersed in my domestic responsibility and consumed in a business-oriented bubble I forgot a little bit about the other aspects of life including social interactions and outdoor pursuits. I lost touch with the simple joys of nature and neglected to attend to my physical well-being. Instead, I found myself consumed by work, and battling through depression, struggling to emerge from its grasp. Due to sitting at my desk for prolonged hours, I developed sciatica and limited mobility in my back. I tried to manage my mental health by compressing my depression and drowning myself in taking on client requests. Saying yes all the time interrupted precious moments with my son and our family, it interrupted me being present at church services, and doing anything that I enjoyed doing outside of work, because it extended to all hours of the night. It began to disrupt my sleep schedule and prevented me from fully engaging with life or fulfilling my responsibilities to the best of my ability — especially when it came to self-care.

The lesson I learned is that as a one-woman show during the early stages of a new business, it is impractical to reinvent certain wheels. I learned that I am not omnipresent…that’s God’s job. My lesson was learned the hard way but I had to restructure my business practices and enforce booking appointments within reasonable business hours for everyone. This was the only way I could properly manage and have a balance between my work and personal life.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

During my pregnancy, I worked for a private company that deployed me throughout NYC schools providing tech support to their faculty. The demands of the job were strenuous; I found myself juggling visits to multiple sites each day, enduring lengthy round-trip commutes, and contending with the physical demands of the role which was initially tailored for a man. While I recognized the company’s obligation to fulfill its commitments to clients, I couldn’t help but feel undervalued and unsupported in light of my unique circumstances that they failed to appropriately accommodate. After many conversations with my husband, he reassured me that this work was something I could do on my own and encouraged me to start our business venture. He helped me see my potential as an entrepreneur and was persistent until I finally realized it too. He and I partnered and worked tirelessly together on a business plan. One evening I was up late pondering a name; memories resurfaced of feeling like my previous employer did not have my back. I also recalled a television commercial from my childhood that skillfully combined asking a question while making a statement. Once I was able to make this connection within my business it inspired the company name and GotATek was born. What makes it stand out is its versatility. The name can take on the form of a question, make an implication, be suggestive, or invoke thought. The name represents a declaration that my company has its clients’ back when it comes to technology support. You can trust us to provide the assistance you need to resolve the technology issues you encounter.

Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?

I am currently working on a few things. I recently hosted my first free live Masterclass and it was a success. This was challenging but pushed me to explore new avenues within my business that I was reluctant to examine before hosting the class. The response thus far has been incredibly rewarding; participants were highly receptive and expressed genuine enjoyment of the selected topics. Their positive feedback reaffirmed the value of me stepping out of my comfort zone. In addition to this, I’m dedicated to strengthening my social media presence. I’m currently enrolled in a workshop aimed at refining my approach to achieve this goal effectively. By boosting our online presence, we can reach a broader audience, enabling more individuals to discover our company and gain insights that can empower their use of technology.

This year, my primary objective is to secure a contract with an assisted living facility. Through this partnership, we aim to provide training sessions and raise awareness among seniors about the ways in which technology can enrich their lives and foster a sense of empowerment. It’s an initiative that aligns with our commitment to making a positive impact on individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

Ok super. Thank you for all that. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview. Are you currently satisfied with the status quo regarding women in STEM? What specific changes do you think are needed to change the status quo?

Personally, I have come across more women in the SEM portions of STEM but not the T (Technology). While tasks of all portions of the acronym interconnect during different parts of our careers whether it be during schooling or in our job experiences, technology seems to be the least sought after especially on the hardware and networking end. When I share with people I work in IT or am a technology professional, they often automatically associate it with programming or web development, overlooking the crucial role of ensuring the functionality of the machines and networking equipment that the software needs to run on in order to be utilized. Enter Amanda Udo, stage right. My job is to ensure that these systems work smoothly so that the programs can be effectively installed. The programming side of IT is so cool and I have the utmost respect for those women that excel at it but my preference is to get my hands dirty. Okay, not literally but I am a hands-on person. Fortunately, I have been deployed into a diverse IT environment that has allowed me to gain hands-on experience with technology, further igniting my interest in this field.

The status quo needs to change because, in my experience, technology is often seen as a man’s job. I vividly remember my first field assignment for NYC, where I was tasked with troubleshooting a router for the Department of Environmental Protection. Despite being dressed for work in a skirt and heels, I was not deterred when I discovered the router was located down a manhole. While my colleagues were initially surprised to see me follow them, one of them invited me to have a seat, assuming he would handle the task. His assumption only fueled my determination to prove myself capable of performing the job just as well, if not better, than any of them — and I did just that. Women need to be exposed to all aspects of STEM, including technology, and understand the multitude of opportunities available to them. We’re capable of much more than sitting at a desk typing out program codes; we can excel in hands-on roles and contribute significantly to the field.

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by women in STEM or Tech that aren’t typically faced by their male counterparts? What would you suggest to address this?

In my experience, men are often automatically perceived as professional and competent, whereas women may face initial skepticism and receive less immediate respect. When folks encounter a male tech they are greeted with a confident handshake while women are greeted with a nervous or hesitant one. There seems to be a prevailing assumption that women may need more assistance, guidance, or a break, even when they possess equal or superior qualifications and experience. Even in situations where I attended prestigious schools and had prior experience, I’ve encountered instances of my male colleagues feeling the need to mansplain things to me as if I lacked understanding of the job. This dynamic can be frustrating and undermines the contributions and capabilities of women in the field.

My suggestion would be that employers may need to consider implementing mindset training into their onboarding processes. Unlike traditional onboarding training, mindset training goes beyond the series of videos depicting common scenarios in a job setting accompanied by multiple-choice questions. Mindset training requires a deeper dive into addressing and altering ingrained biases and behaviors. It would involve working with a live coach who is trained to provide tools and strategies to challenge and overcome these biases, promoting a more inclusive and respectful work environment.

What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about being a woman in STEM or Tech? Can you explain what you mean?

The constant suspicions from all sides took a toll on my mindset, but my determination to represent Black women in tech kept me going. However, it was not easy to persevere in environments where I often felt undervalued and overlooked. Gradually, I found myself succumbing to Imposter Syndrome, doubting my own abilities and questioning whether I deserved the same recognition as my male counterparts, especially when it seemed that my presence went unnoticed by others. Additionally, it also proved satisfying to receive direct requests from customers for my expertise over that of my male colleagues. These affirmations served as reminders that my contributions were valued and that I had earned my place within the industry. I would like for women to know, believe, and trust that we can do anything we want to because we possess the education, drive, experience, talent, and ability to do so. Moreover, we also naturally have a unique approach to problem-solving that often proves advantageous. Once I shifted my focus to simply doing my job to the best of my ability, I found that my contributions were appreciated and respected by everyone within the team and the customers.

What are your “5 Leadership Lessons I Learned From My Experience as a Woman in STEM or Tech” and why. (Please share a story or example for each.)

Lesson 1: Self Care — I think when people are so caught up in their careers and life they forget something very simple which is to take care of yourself first. It is extremely important to put yourself first. Our spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health have to be intentionally prioritized. There were periods in my life when I tried to single one of these out or sometimes neglected all of them. This resulted in an epic failure during those moments, because they all make up one’s total health, and abandoning any portion can disrupt your routine. The times when I solely focused on my emotional health I would find my physical or spiritual health failing. When I allowed my emotional health to dwindle on the sidelines it would greatly affect my mind. I see where they all complement each other and interconnect to make a person whole.

Lesson 2: Show Up — Neglecting self-care in the ways aforementioned led to a domino effect where I would not show up. Unfortunately, when we’re absent others often judge us without seeking understanding. One absence or lateness can result in criticism without any inquiry or support. However, having a leader who practiced empathy and consistency made all the difference because their example was infectious. Their aptitude to lead by example gave me the push needed to address my challenges and make improvements. Once I did, showing up consistently became effortless. We have to show up every day at our very best in order to see results every day that are the very best.

Lesson 3: Ask Questions -There were times when I hesitated to ask questions, fearing judgment for not knowing the answers. This fear often led to unnecessary mistakes that could have been avoided if I had set aside my pride and shame. I had to overcome the belief that people were scrutinizing the “girl in the room.” Interestingly, when I did start asking questions, I discovered that even some managers did not have all the answers. This realization taught me that no one possesses all knowledge, and there is always more to learn. Asking questions is not a sign of weakness; it’s a demonstration of intelligence and courage. It shows a willingness to seek the right information and take informed action. Sometimes, asking a question can spark innovative ideas and lead to significant changes. I recall an instance when working for NYC, where a question I posed in a room full of men prompted a re-evaluation of an entire system that had been in place for years. This illustrates the power of asking questions and challenging conventional thinking.

Lesson 4: Delegate — As entrepreneurs, we often feel compelled to handle everything ourselves, whether due to a belief that we are the only ones capable or to save money, especially in the early stages. I view entrepreneurship as an art form, a way to express and see our ideas manifested. Naturally, we become deeply attached to our original concepts, eager to see them succeed. Trying to manage everything alone can be counterproductive and I had to learn that it consumes valuable time that could be better spent growing the business; I had to learn this to see my company become successful. There was a recent experience where I spent an entire afternoon attempting to fix an issue on my website, only to realize later that hiring a freelancer had the issue resolved in 15 minutes. Had I made that decision earlier in the day my time would have been better utilized acquiring clients. Ultimately, the income generated from those clients would have far outweighed the cost of hiring a professional.

Lesson 5: Be Uplifting — As a leader, I have found it beneficial to uplift everyone I encounter especially those I work with daily. My team is the backbone of the business and it is essential that as a leader I am supportive of them and encouraging them so they want to do the work. When my team feels valued and supported, they’re more motivated to contribute their best efforts.

What advice would you give to other women leaders to help their team to thrive?

It’s crucial for a team to function effectively, with each member fulfilling a specific role to keep the business running smoothly. Implementing individual check-ins and team meetings can promote motivation, innovation, and collaboration among team members. I often take note of sports games and observe how the coach interacts with their winning team. Personally, I do not favor the yelling aspect but can see the value in crafting a strategy, planning, practice, motivation, and constructive criticism which are all components I believe make the team winners. No one on the team has the same job but they must work together cohesively to achieve success.

What advice would you give to other women leaders about the best way to manage a large team?

The most effective approach to managing a large team is to divide it into smaller teams, each focused on different strategies to help the business achieve its overarching goal. This strategy ensures continual progress, as the smaller teams work towards their individual objectives while contributing to the larger goal.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I am immensely grateful for all the strong women who have influenced my life. As a child my house was full of women of each generation all leaving an enduring mark on me. My mother, despite her illness and eventual passing, exemplified unwavering strength and determination. I was blessed with great aunts, aunts, and a grandmother, all of whom shared their stories, resilience, and love. I had two great aunts who had contrasting views about life– where one great-aunt always radiated positivity and happiness about everything and the other great-aunt taught me always to watch my back. My mother’s sister showed me how to enjoy life with what little you have. Grandmama was so giving and open to helping others. I had a great-grandmother who insisted that I give her computer training every visit and that gave me the confidence needed to support others. I also have to show gratitude to my cousin who coaches me and never steers me wrong and my aunt who has reached her golden years and started a whole new career based on her passion. My pastor also reiterated the values taught to me at home and was a prime example of an exceptional leader. I have a teacher who is a constant in my life and whom I’ve always admired. All of these women planted different seeds of wisdom into my life providing me with lessons from which to draw. It is challenging to single out just one individual to express my gratitude towards, as they have all contributed to shaping the person I am today.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

GotATek embodies my success, reflecting my commitment to going above and beyond for my clients. By understanding their individual needs and incorporating the values instilled in me by influential women in my life, we strive to bring goodness into the world. While profitability is essential for business success, I am not willing to compromise my values in pursuit of profits. I believe this principled approach is highly respected and appreciated by those I collaborate with and for whom I provide services.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways, And no message could’ve been any clearer, If they wanna make the world a better place, Take a look at yourself and then make a change” is a lyric sung by Michael Jackson. I often refer to these words when I’m in a poor state of mind or need to remind myself how I desire to show up in the world. I understand that I need to make the changes within myself before expecting others around me to change. The changes I implement can make a difference for someone else and inspire them to do the same. I want to lead by example, personifying progress and positivity, and serving as a source of inspiration for others.

We are very blessed that very prominent leaders read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them :-)

I’ve long admired Tabitha Brown and would be ecstatic to have even 5 minutes of her time. Her ability to exude positivity into the world is truly remarkable, and I admire how she leads and uplifts her team. I have immense respect for those who consistently uplift others in such a way. Seeing the successful collaboration between Tabitha and her husband, Chance is exactly the level of partnership I aim for collaborating with my husband. Just as Chance encourages, pushes, embraces, and uplifts Tabitha toward greatness, I feel my husband does the same for me. It would be an honor to meet them and discuss the secrets behind their well-oiled machine.

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.