About the Author
Sandra K. Johnson, Ph.D.
Sandra K. Johnson’s 26-year career at IBM included roles as Chief Technology Officer, Research Staff Member, WebSphere Database Development Manager, and Linux Performance Architect and Manager. Dr. Johnson was a member of the IBM Academy of Technology, an IBM Master Inventor with more than 45 pending and issued patents, author of over 80 technical publications and books, and a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. She is the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering.
Q&A
What inspired you to write your memoir?
How did being the first Black woman Ph.D. in Electrical & Computer Engineering impact your career?
Can you explain what the title of the book, Soft Power for the Journey means?
Several years ago, I had a conversation with a friend who emphatically said to me that I was special and unique. She mentioned there are few people in the world who look like me and do what I do. Stop trying to blend in and be like the rest of us. You need to stand out and be visible, to inspire and encourage others to pursue STEM careers.
Can you explain what the title of the book, Soft Power for the Journey means?
How did being the first Black woman Ph.D. in Electrical & Computer Engineering impact your career?
Can you explain what the title of the book, Soft Power for the Journey means?
Soft Power is drive, inner strength, perseverance, boldness, confidence, determination, and a strong faith. I have leveraged this soft power in my life’s journey.
How did being the first Black woman Ph.D. in Electrical & Computer Engineering impact your career?
How did being the first Black woman Ph.D. in Electrical & Computer Engineering impact your career?
How did the challenges of graduate school and corporate America affect the trajectory of your career
I had adjusted to being the only one and focused on the work. My professional interests and passions were in line with those of my colleagues. In this regard, I felt right at home and actively contributed substance, as a team member, on many impactful projects. From time to time, I encountered issues. However, I was able to work through them with the assistance of mentors and sponsors who were in positions of power and influence. While there were a few times when I was slow in getting the recognition, etc. for my work, I never felt as though my career was derailed.
How did the challenges of graduate school and corporate America affect the trajectory of your career
How did the challenges of graduate school and corporate America affect the trajectory of your career
How did the challenges of graduate school and corporate America affect the trajectory of your career
I used soft power, along with invaluable assistance, advice, and words of wisdom from mentors, sponsors, and friends, in most instances, to address these challenges. As a result, I learned how to navigate academia and corporate America, and became stronger and wiser. It was this combination that affected my career trajectory.
Answer continued.....
How did the challenges of graduate school and corporate America affect the trajectory of your career
What advice would you give to young women who plan for a career a career in STEM?
Here's an example. It was the disappointment of a promotion that I believe I earned that was the catalyst for me to take some time to focus on who I am and why am I here on earth. That led me to find my true purpose and destiny, and it was not what I originally thought. So that event accelerated the discovery of my true purpose. I believe I would have eventually got here, but it was the obstacle that accelerated the trajectory. I am happy to be someone who is living on purpose. It makes life more fulfilling.
What advice would you give to young women who plan for a career a career in STEM?
How did the challenges of graduate school and corporate America affect the trajectory of your career
What advice would you give to young women who plan for a career a career in STEM?
If you have a passion for this, and you know this is something you were born to do, then pursue it with every ounce of your being. Surround yourself with supporters. They may be family, friends, sponsors, mentors, and coaches. Some of them may not be able to help you technically, but do not underestimate the power of positive, moral support. Do not allow the uninformed and unenlightened tell you that you do not belong. They are merely sharing with you their unsolicited opinion. You are the captain of your ship. You steer it in the right direction, and you will have a long, impactful, and rewarding career. All the best to you!
EXCERPTS
Excerpt 1
My way out of living a lower class, challenging but happy life was through education. It was the unlocking of my mind that holistically broadened my views about life. It has been through education that I learned about our global society, people, systems, structures, life. It was through education that I transitioned from living in a financially challenged household, raised by a single mother of four children, to professional success and financial independence. This is my story, and it’s just the beginning! I am no longer in a place where I am just tolerated, or worse. I am in a place where I am celebrated for my skills, abilities, passion for delivery, desire to touch the lives of millions, and make a difference. It is through a continued, lifelong, educational process that I will continue to live life to its fullest, to make an impact on this global society, and to encourage millions to aspire to attain their God-given greatness! Be encouraged, be strong, your life is but a journey. Make it a good one.
Excerpt 2
It has been an incredible life thus far, and I sense all has been preparation for what happens next in my life’s journey. From the encouragement of MaMe and other family members in my early years, to my unexpected wins in high school and academic successes as an undergraduate, I have been preparing for this. From my difficult and challenging graduate school experiences to my experiences in corporate America, from good to bad and ugly, I have been preparing for this. From my personal experiences with relationships to my wonderful new life with Leonard, I have been preparing for this. From my experiences as an entrepreneur to my corporate board impact thus far, I have been preparing for this. Throughout this journey I kept focusing on my future impact. Even when it was difficult to do, when I didn’t really see how, with my strong faith, I focused on the future.