Take Five: Osedra Siler (BDPA Indianapolis)

Osedra Siler is a multi-talented IT professional currently employed by Eli Lilly & Company. Her skill sets include: Process Improvement, Change Management, Service Management, Project Management, Business Integration, Disaster Recovery testing and Security Access Management. She graduated in 2007 with a Information Systems degree from Florida A&M University.

I know Osedra has a passionate advocate for BDPA Indianapolis chapter ... particularly the youth education programs. She has worked for the past few years on the STEM-based training that the chapter provides to high school students.

Osedra agreed to participate in our ongoing 'Take Five' interview series.

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Osedra & 2010 HSCC Team

1. How did you get involved with BDPA? - In 2008, the VP of the Indianapolis chapter invited me to a meeting after telling me about the organization. I had just begun my first job out of college in January of 2008. I attended the monthly meeting and was very impressed with the work the organization was a part of (e.g. student programs, professional development and networking opportunities). I immediately joined the local chapter in Indianapolis.
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of working with BDPA? - The most rewarding aspect of working with BDPA is the opportunity I have to be a positive and professional mentor and teach other minority high school students about computer programming, STEM opportunities (especially for the female students), and help them get internship as high schoolers and get into college. The first year I began working with the HSCC program the majority of students were males. Over the past two years that has changed and the female interests has increased which is awesome.
3. Can you share a 'success story' about any of your past HSCC students? - Actually many of my students have had the opportunity to participate in a paid summer internship (as a high school junior) with a major corporation working on real world projects, within the past two years. One of the students that intern in the summer of 2010, received a full paid 4 year scholarship to college as well.
4. What would future evolution or change would you like to see in BDPA's STEM-based training? - I would like to see more innovative training ideas used to assist students to think out the box on what technology can be and do. Possibly, the students can build pieces of a software application (collectively) that can be sponsored by the BDPA organization and used as proof/demonstration of what the students actually learn throughout their training and can be viewed by any spectator outside the BDPA organization.
5. Any advice for people considering a donation to BETF? - If you have the desire to help a minority students fulfill their dream to attend college, give back to the community to help it grow or give a student an opportunity to realize their potential; a donation to the BETF would be a great start. The BETF helps minority high school students learn & grow skills in STEM programs. These donations will assist each local chapter to fund youth programs that are 'FREE' to students. These programs gives students a multitude of benefits such as network with executives of major companies, IT professionals and other students around the world) that will help them become productive and positive role models in their communities. BETF definitely make a difference in student lives.

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BETF appreciates the kind words from Osedra ... however, it is obvious that she is the one making a difference in the lives of many young people .. even famous movie actors recognize Osedra's swagger!

Osedra is the future face of technology!