Meet Mabana Bamba

How did you learn about PDXWIT and what keeps you coming back?

The first PDXWIT event I ever attended was in November 2018 (a friend told me about it). It was the happy hour and I really enjoyed it, and wanted to keep going to more events. In early 2020, I applied for a position and officially started in my role as Community Development Coordinator on April 1, 2020.

Can you give us some background on your career in tech? Did you intend this career path?

I’ve learned a lot about the tech industry from my work at PDXWIT, and I never really had a lot of faith that it was an industry that could/would change. I figured that there were gatekeepers who were happy with the status quo. In this role I’ve met so many great people who already work in tech and want to make it a fulfilling career accessible to others who have been left out in the past.

I like to ask one broader question that digs a little deeper into who you are, so choose only one of the following and write a bit — or frame your own question and answer it for me! c) a passion or activity you pursue with dedication.

Is happiness a passion? I have to say that I make an effort to be happy; part of that is the fact that I understand I can’t please everybody, and I am ok with that!