Christine Baba

What I Do

I currently work for a company whose mission is to fight financial crime via our anti-money laundering (AML) platform designed to make it easier for financial companies to identify, track, and report suspicious activity.

Why STEM?

At its core, STEM is all about problem-solving. Whether you're coding an app, analyzing data, or building a PC, you're finding solutions to problems. And this is one of the many reason I gravitated to STEM.

School Days

I hold a B.Sc. in Earth Sciences from the University of California, Santa Cruz. While my initial academic focus was on reservoir geomodeling and data analysis, I transitioned into software engineering, blending my analytical background with a strong interest in technology. After my first initial layoff from Baker Hughes, I decided to take a leap of faith and move to Austin TX to complete UT Austin's Coding Bootcamp. I completed the UT Austin Coding Bootcamp, where I earned a Full-Stack Development Certification in 2017.

My Day At Work

I work closely with Implementation Managers and Customer Success Managers to address our customers' technical needs. This involves providing clear, proactive technical guidance, assisting customers with integrating our products and APIs, and ensuring smooth onboarding and deployment processes. My strong sense of empathy allows me to understand customers’ goals and business objectives, guiding them toward achieving success.

Proud Moments

Some of my key technical accomplishments include:

Developing a COVID Vaccine waitlist system, streamlining pharmacy vaccine distribution during the pandemic.
Building internal web apps to support Customer Success, reducing support tickets and boosting productivity.
Getting published in an academic paper on Fully 3D hydraulic fracturing model: optimizing sequence fracture stimulation in horizontal wells

My Advice

Explore Different Areas of Tech - Tech is vast, so try different areas like coding, game development, or hardware. Use platforms like Scratch or Code.org to experiment and figure out what excites you.
Focus on Problem-Solving - Tech is all about solving problems. Start small, build projects, and learn from your mistakes. Play games like chess or Sudoku to sharpen your problem-solving skills.
Build a Portfolio Early - Even as a teen, create projects and share them on platforms like GitHub. By the time you're applying for college or internships, you'll have a portfolio to showcase your skills.
Join a Community, You are already here! - Connect with others in tech through online forums or Discord groups. Seek out a mentor— having guidance can help you stay on track and motivated.
Learn Beyond the Classroom - Explore free online courses on Coursera or Khan Academy, and stay curious by reading tech blogs or watching tutorials. I used Khan Academy for years.
Understand Tech’s Impact - Learn how technology solves real-world problems, from healthcare to space exploration. Stay informed about tech innovations and their global impact.

Volunteer Opportunities

I am willing to serve as science fair judge or other temporary volunteer at a local school., I am willing to be interviewed by interested students via email.

Engineering Careers

Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers

Discovering Optional Career

In my case, the path wasn’t straightforward. I started out in community college with a focus in Computer Engineering, then changed my major since I felt very isolated being the only girl in my classes. I decided to pursue an Earth Sciences degree and graduated with my BS in Earth Sciences. After starting in one area of science and data modeling, I realized that while I enjoyed problem-solving, I was more passionate about using technology to help others. I pivoted into software development via a Coding Bootcamp. This shift wasn’t easy, but each role I've held has helped refine my focus on what I really enjoy doing. By taking the time to reflect on what aspects of my work I enjoyed, I was able to move into roles that felt both challenging and fulfilling. I also learned the value of being adaptable and that it's okay to change direction when you find something that fits better. Reflections and Final Advice For youth exploring career paths, remember that your journey is unique. Don’t rush the process of discovering your interests. Stay curious, keep learning, and most importantly, pursue what genuinely excites you. It’s not about knowing your final destination right away—it’s about taking small, meaningful steps that align with your interests and talents.

Obstacles Helpful for Youth

Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot It’s completely normal to change direction if something doesn’t feel right. Switching from Computer Engineering to Earth Sciences taught me that it’s okay to pursue a different path if your current one isn’t the right fit. Explore different interests and don’t be afraid to adjust as you learn more about yourself. Find Your Support Network Feeling isolated in a male-dominated field was a challenge for me, but I now realize the importance of finding a support network early on. Whether it's classmates, mentors, or online communities, surrounding yourself with people who understand and encourage you can make a huge difference. Use Your Strengths from Every Experience Even though I shifted fields, I brought valuable skills with me from each step. My background in Earth Sciences helped me develop analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, which have been key in my tech career. Your past experiences—whether related to your final career or not—will always add value. Stay Open to Learning I discovered my love for tech again through a coding bootcamp, where I learned to build software and work with technology in a new way. Stay curious, and if you ever feel like revisiting an old interest, it’s never too late to learn something new or return to a field.

Companies Mitigate Challenges

1. Foster a Culture of Inclusion Diversity & Inclusion Training: Mandatory training to address unconscious bias and foster a welcoming environment. Mentorship Programs: Pair underrepresented employees with senior mentors or sponsors to help them navigate their careers. 2. Increase Representation Diverse Hiring Practices: Ensure diverse hiring panels and track diversity metrics throughout the recruitment process. Clear Promotion Pathways: Use transparent and objective criteria to ensure fair promotions for all employees. 3. Support Networks & Accountability Affinity Groups: Support employee resource groups (ERGs) to build community and provide a platform for diverse voices. Team Diversity Metrics: Track and hold leaders accountable for building diverse teams. 4. Flexible Policies Work-Life Balance: Offer flexible work options and mental health support, especially for those who may feel isolated. Inclusive Paid Leave: Ensure paid leave policies are equitable and supportive of diverse needs. 5. Learning & Development Skill Development: Provide stipends for certifications, training, and conferences that cater to underrepresented groups. Internal Apprenticeships: Offer rotational programs to help employees explore different areas within the company. 6. Early Education & Pipeline Support STEM Outreach: Partner with schools and nonprofits to offer coding classes and mentorship to underrepresented youth. Paid Internships: Offer paid opportunities and internships to help diverse students break into the field. 7. Accountability Diversity Reporting: Track, publish, and improve diversity and inclusion metrics for hiring, retention, and pay equity. Zero Tolerance Policies: Implement clear policies against discrimination and harassment, with confidential reporting mechanisms. By implementing these policies, companies can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone, helping to reduce systemic barriers in technical careers.

STEM Learning Opportunities

STEM Bootcamp, Community College

Undergraduate Certification

A Bachelor’s Degree

Undergraduate Field

Science

Associate Bachelor Major

Earth Sciences

Previous Role Employed

Engineer

Other Parts on the Path

UT Austin's Coding Bootcamp

Introducing EngineerTeen!