Laticia Carrow, a 2023 IBM Z Champion, sat down with SHARE’d Intelligence to give the mainframe community insight on her YouTube podcast program, “Tish Talks Tech”, and how members can join in to share their own expertise with other mainframers and those looking to dip their toes into the business.

SHARE HQ: “Tish Talks Tech” is your YouTube channel where you talk to technology professionals and share tips. What inspired you to start your own channel?

Laticia Carrow (LC): I wanted to give back to the tech community and help others find out what it’s like to be a technologist. I wanted to provide non-practitioners with a safe space where they could get real answers to their technical questions. After becoming an IBM Champion, I wanted to elevate my advocacy in the mainframe space to inspire others. It also lets everyone know that technologists are people, too, and that not everyone’s story is the same.

SHARE HQ: What have been some of the benefits and challenges of starting your own channel?

LC: “Tish Talks Tech” is one of my passions. Some people sew. Some people cook. I do both, but I also want to advocate for technology and empowerment of others who are told they can’t do it. Some people are born on this earth to do something, but there are others who are told that they can only do that one thing. I want to advocate for those who the gatekeepers hold back because they don’t have a certain skill, come from a certain place, or have a particular experience. The American Dream shouldn’t just be about going to college or achieving this thing or that milestone.

Diversifying the mainframe ecosystem and ensuring it is more robust means that diverse backgrounds, skill sets, and mindsets are needed and should be sought after in this space. Let’s bring in some salt and some pepper, and maybe some paprika. It would be brilliant if we could see more instances of non-coders and those outside the technology field feeling embraced and encouraged to try something new.

SHARE HQ: As an IT professional, how important is it to build community within and outside the workplace?

LC: Building community inside and outside the workplace is essential. I try to accomplish that partly through “Tish Talks Tech” and building bridges through volunteering. In 2024, I hope to do a lot more to build the mainframe community and help others realize that the mainframe ecosystem offers tremendous opportunity in terms of career growth and societal impact.

When I went to my first SHARE event, I was blown away by how many people were there. It brought home to me that there are more people affected by what technologists do than you could ever imagine. The mainframe is paramount to so many different industries from banks to other organizations. At SHARE New Orleans, I saw so many students who were able to dip their toes in the technology world. Now, they’re aware of the opportunities available and immersing themselves.

SHARE HQ: Who are some of your dream guests for “Tish Talks Tech” and why?

LC: I’m not going to give you specific names because my dream guests are those that want to share their stories and that want to inspire others. I have reached out at in-person SHARE events, in volunteer meetings, at IBM Champions meetings, and via email to specific people I’ve met.

I am eager to have guests who are ready to share their stories with the community and are passionate about their work and contributions in the mainframe ecosystem.

SHARE HQ: What are some of your goals for the YouTube channel going forward?

LC: I do have some opportunities forthcoming, but you’ll have to stay tuned for details.

I can’t wait to help more people to get connected with their bliss. I want people to know that they can be technologists and still have balance in their life. There is room for you in the broad and vibrant mainframe ecosystem.

Join technologists and mainframers on “Tish Talks Tech” in 2024.