Cohort Stories: Meet Harnaljia
Boston: vol. 7, no. 31 — guest post by Harnaljia Fenelon
Being a first-generation Haitian-American woman means I have always been a trailblazer. Going from a small school in Dorchester, to an elite boarding school in California, and now to Tufts University, my journey to become who I am and get to where I am today is what I am proudest of. Growing up, I never knew anyone who looked like me or came from a similar background attending boarding schools or aspiring to pursue a career in tech. I quickly learned that I had to be that model for myself and others. I have never been afraid to push myself or pursue my dreams because my mother has sacrificed so much to give me the gift of choice. In Haitian culture, parents keep their daughters close to protect them. My mom put aside her fears and allowed me to create and explore my own path because she understood the dreams I had for myself. I am forever grateful for the sacrifices she continues to make, to provide as many opportunities for me to succeed.
My interest in technology began when I was introduced to Scratch while attending a middle school summer camp. Tasked with creating a multi-level game, I eagerly took to the computer, combining various loops and conditionals to create a bank robbery escape game. The pure euphoria and sense of accomplishment I felt after persevering through the roadblocks and showing off my completed game was one of the best feelings I have ever experienced. I fell in love with the ability to be creative and use code to build something from a simple idea.
I want young girls with similar backgrounds to see me and know that where you come from doesn’t dictate where you’re going or what you can achieve.
My favorite part about becoming a Software Developer is the ability to problem-solve and challenge social norms. Being a computer science major with a minor in sociology means I want to create ethical and socially impactful technology. I believe that technology has the power to not only impact lives but save them and change the way our society functions. In addition, I want young girls with similar backgrounds to see me and know that where you come from doesn’t dictate where you’re going or what you can achieve. I am motivated to establish a career of service and a life where I can lead by example in the hopes that the next girl from Dorchester who has a daring dream feels a little more confident that they can and will succeed.
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