Welcome to an exclusive interview with Feria Nji, a shining star among the 2024 PowHER Emerging Leaders, as recognized by Nerdy Girl Success®. In this enlightening conversation, we delve into Feria’s journey, exploring her insights, experiences, and aspirations as a trailblazing leader in her field.
Video Transcript
Christina (00:00:02) Hi and welcome! I’m so excited today to get to introduce to you one of our nerdy girls. Success. how her Emerging Leader Award winners. and so, without further ado, here is Feria ji. very. I’d love to hear a little bit more about you. about yourself. So let’s just start with that.
Feria (00:00:39) – Sure. Thank you, Miss Christina. As she said, my name is Feria Nji. I am a junior, well, rising senior at Texas Southern University, majoring in computer science. originally from Cameroon, a little country in Central Africa. on campus. I also serve as the president of the Computer Science Society. And I’m happy to see I’m a nerdy girl, so.
Christina (00:01:09) – Awesome. So then what was it? College that brought you to the States? Or was there another reason why you came to the States?
Feria (00:01:15) – It was college.
Feria (00:01:16) – Yes, I happen to be an international student.
Christina (00:01:19) – Awesome. So you picked out of all the colleges here you pick. So what made Texas Southern seem more special for you?
Feria (00:01:27) – Well, my brother graduated from. Had his bachelor’s and master’s from Texas Southern University, so it was normal that I should just come here once he left. So.
Christina (00:01:39) – Gotcha. Of course. A legacy kind of application. That’s awesome. So you talked a little bit about being a rising senior in college. And so what are you? And you said computer science. What is kind of like the ideal job that you think you would like to have after college?
Feria (00:01:57) – You know, that’s a really good question because I don’t think I know for sure what I want to do for the rest of my life after college. But as of right now, I know that I want to become a software engineer, so that’s what I’m working towards. So basically, my ideal job would be software engineering in a company that I love and that I share the same vision as them.
Christina (00:02:23) – Awesome. Well, good news is, is that the job that you have when you leave college doesn’t have to be the job that you have for the rest of your life. So, lots of changes always are available, but that’s awesome. I really so you want to you’re thinking about, you know, that you want to be a software engineer at a company that you really love, but what did you want to be as a kid? Is this something you’ve always wanted to be, or what were some other thoughts that you had?
Feria (00:02:47) – So when I was much, much younger, I wanted to be a teacher because my mom was a teacher. But that was really just I didn’t know what I wanted. I was just I was just saying that because of course I wanted to do what my mom was doing. But then when I got a little bit older and I started getting introduced to, like, devices and computers and stuff, that started picking my interest. And for as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to do something computer related.
Feria (00:03:14) – So up until before high middle school, high school, and then not in college, it’s always been computer, computer, computer.
Christina (00:03:22) – So that’s. So I have a question. Listening to you talk about that. And that’s something that you’ve wanted to do since you were pretty young. Was it ever an intimidating factor for you? I know that I talked to a lot of girls, who are interested in computer science, but they’re a little intimidated by it. because of what they’ve heard about the industry being, you know, certain jobs being more male dominated and everything. Is that ever been something that has been a concern for you?
Feria (00:03:50) – Yes, definitely. so before getting before, like being finalized in the thought, like, oh, I wanted to do computer science. I had talked to a couple uncles and aunties of mine, and they were like, oh, I don’t think you should do computer science. I think you’d be better off in medicine basically every well, not everybody, but most people were trying to convince me otherwise.
Feria (00:04:15) – And of course, doing my research and seeing not and not seeing many people that looked like me in terms of like women in black women and specifically it was very discouraging. But, my mom growing up, my mom always told me, you can do anything you put your mind to. And I stuck with that. So I basically just told myself, either way, I’m going to figure it out. And if I don’t figure it out at the beginning, I’m going to figure it out along the way. So and I just continued with what I wanted to always do.
Christina (00:04:47) – Having good support of mothers is very important. That is for sure. Yes. so have you, along with your studies, have you been able to find any mentors? like you said, that look like you that are in the industry that you’re wanting to enter into?
Feria (00:05:06) – Yes. My mentor, who was the person who actually introduced me to Nerdio, Caleesha has been a very great support and a very great backbone to me.
Feria (00:05:18) – She actually, she’s actually the founder of a non-profit organization that gave me a scholarship. So that’s how I met her. And then I connected with her. And then I also have another mentor who was who’s also from one of my internships at Microsoft was helping me. And they’ve been really helpful since, like, I’ve been with them for the past year or so, and they’ve been really helpful throughout all this period. They always check in on me. always reach out. Oh, do you need anything or what are you doing in school? Or. I think you should do this. I think you should apply to this program. Basically, they’ve been there for me, and they’re always making sure that I stay on the right track and bringing opportunities to me, which has been really great.
Christina (00:06:04) – Awesome. That is fantastic. So for those of you know girls that will be watching this interview, how did you get connected with those mentors? So I know that you said like through a scholarship and through an internship, but did were they assigned to you? Did you go and approach them? Like, how did that relationship get started?
Feria (00:06:25) – Sure.
Feria (00:06:26) – So with Caleesha Kelsey Johnson, she like I said, she is the founder of this nonprofit organization. I am completely blanking on the name right now, but I promise you, I know it on a regular day. But, so I originally just applied for her scholarship and one and then later on, I found out that she was a mentor to a cousin of mine who also went through college and got into the computer science field. She, my cousin, did data science. So basically that was like our starting point and our relationship was like, oh, what a small world. And basically we just grew from there. And now whenever I hear she hears of any opportunity for me, she always reaches out to me. I also apply to be on the board for her non-profit organization, just as a way of giving back to her the same way she gave to me. And yeah, so that’s for Caleesha and for my other mentor. His name is Marty Donovan. He, he isn’t he’s not a Tsu alum, but he works with Tsu alumni to help people from Texas University get into Microsoft.
Feria (00:07:37) – So when I applied to Microsoft, he reached out to me, and he and he has a little team. They helped me prepare for my interviews and everything. So that’s how I met him. And he has been a really great support throughout my interview, interviewing process, my internships, and now even after my internships.
Christina (00:07:58) – That’s excellent. And that’s one of the things that we’re wanting the girls who are going through our programs to learn about is like the different ways that you can get connected with people who are going to be there to help support you in your career journey. whether it be, you know, in college, post-college, that kind of thing. So that’s awesome. So another question that I have is when you found out because Kelsey, like you said, is the one who nominated you. So when you found out that you were being nominated as an emerging leader, like, how did that feel like were you kind of did you say, yes, I received that. That’s absolutely who I am.
Christina (00:08:35) – Or were you a little bit kind of like, oh, I don’t know. So how did that feel?
Feria (00:08:39) – So I’ll be honest, I was very I initially do not understand because they said I was a finalist. So I thought they were going to pick the actual winners at the award event. But then after I was but I was very happy, I was like, oh, I wasn’t expecting this. I was like, this is so nice. And I was really, really happy. I actually reached back out to California. I was like, thank you so much for this. I didn’t even know about Nerdy Girl until you mentioned it to me. And now it’s basically opening doors for me in life that I never thought would be open. So I was very excited, very, very obviously very excited, but also was not expecting it. So that made it even better. But it was a very nice feeling to see that, basically the things that we do as young leaders in our community gets recognized from people who don’t, even who we don’t even know or watching.
Feria (00:09:32) – So it was a very exciting time.
Christina (00:09:35) – Well, good. I’m glad you were excited about it. I was, because that was one of my things is that, you know, you hear about people after they get to be a certain age or getting recognized for their leadership. But there’s a lot of leaders who are a lot younger than that. You know, women like your age that need to be recognized, to make you see that, like, it does feel good to be recognized, like, oh, I really am doing something and people are noticing it. So I think it definitely makes a difference. So what would you say is something that makes a person a good leader?
Feria (00:10:11) – I would say a good leader is someone who has empathy. I would say empathy is a big thing because, I feel like as a good leader, you should be able to put yourself in the shoes of the people that you’re leading so as to, you know, better, understand how they feel or what, what needs to be done and things like that.
Feria (00:10:33) – So I would say empathy is a really big thing, and it’s something that you constantly learn on your journey of being a leader.
Christina (00:10:41) – I like that. Empathy is a very big thing. And there’s there are some leaders out there that don’t have a lot of empathy. So, you know, you know, I don’t know how many people are actually following them. So do you recognize in yourself that you are a leader and that you’re a leader who has empathy?
Feria (00:11:03) – I would say I’m learning. It’s a learning process. I mean, I like to believe that everybody is born with some sort or some level of empathy, but empathy in such a way that you can use that to lead a team or to be a not even just team, just be a good leader in general. I would say it’s a learning process for me in particular, like, I don’t know it all and I’m learning as I go.
Christina (00:11:28) – And I think that’s okay, because, I mean, I think a lot of people because, you know, there’s a difference between like leadership , which is like a role that’s given like the president and a company, that kind of thing.
Christina (00:11:38) – And then there are leaders who they’re leaders, but they don’t necessarily have the title of being a leader. And I think within that it’s like. Some people think that like once I become a leader, like, that’s it, that’s the destination. Without realizing that it’s an always kind of learning about yourself and learning how to be a better leader. And I think even depending on who you’re trying to lead changes, you know, you’re a great leader here in this particular group. And then you move to another group and like, you’ve got to start all over again almost. You know, I.
Feria (00:12:10) – Was just reading about that, like the different leadership styles, like the, the transformational leadership style and basically each like each leader has a different leadership style, and each leadership style changes based on the situation, just like you said.
Christina (00:12:27) – Absolutely. And you have to be able to recognize that. And essentially, like, you know, they say, read the room. to know exactly who it is that you’re trying to lead and what motivates them.
Christina (00:12:38) – so a lot of leaders have people that they look up to, that they kind of want to emulate. Some people call them them heroes. So who might be like one of those people that’s a hero for you or, you know, somebody that you look up to and try to model yourself after.
Feria (00:12:58) – I would say my mom, I would definitely say my mom because like I said earlier, she, she has been through a lot trying to raise us with my mom and dad, but particularly on my mom, but also because, she always taught me to never give up. She always taught me to believe in my dreams. And she always told me I am much, much, much smarter than I think I am. And if I think I hit a wall, then I definitely can keep going. So that is something. That’s how I was raised and has something I want to emulate and keep repeating to myself as I grow in life. And that’s something I would like to pass on to the people coming after me.
Feria (00:13:41) – So I would definitely say my mom is my hero, but it’s way she survived her challenges and the things she’s taught me throughout my life.
Christina (00:13:52) – That’s really great to hear. You know, like that’s a big thing. And that’s when you read lots of different research studies that are done and maybe even like in some of the leadership books that you’re reading about is that’s, an attribute that distinguishes leaders from, you know, puts them out in front of the crowd or whatever is the fact that they don’t let those challenges keep them down, that they are persistent, that they’re like, okay, this is the challenge. I find the solution and I find the way to get around it or get through it. So who knows? To you, and kudos to your mom for making sure that, like, that is something that, is instilled in you because there are some people who, you know, they they hit a bump in the road and they’re just like, oh, that’s it, I’m done, you know? So I’m glad that you aren’t one of those types of people.
Feria (00:14:38) – Yeah, I think my mom did a good job.
Christina (00:14:41) – She definitely did. She definitely did. What would you consider? And sometimes I think this is a funny question. So what do you think is, like, one of your superpowers, like, makes you special?
Feria (00:14:56) – Let me think. I will say my superpower is my ability to look at the good, even when the bad happens. Yeah. Definitely that. It’s very easy in life too. When things happen, you’re like, oh, why me? Why not this person? Or why did this happen to me? Why now? But, I try to always look for the silver lining in the cloud. So I try to tell myself, oh, this is happening for a reason. And if this is happening, even if it’s bad right now, that simply means that something good is coming for me later. So I would say my superpower is definitely seeing the good things, seeing the good in the bad.
Christina (00:15:39) – Excellent. There is, that kind of reminds me of, like a symbol, you know? Are you familiar with the lotus flower?
Feria (00:15:46) – Yes.
Christina (00:15:48) – So lotus flowers, when they grow really well is when they are in really dirty, gross water. And so I’d heard like the lotus symbol is this, this symbolizes the, you know, like, even in the ugliest and dirtiest of things, something beautiful can arise. So, I kind of adopted the lotus flowers, one of my favorite kind of flowers because of that, that symbolism.
Feria (00:16:10) – So now I’m going to adopt it too.
Feria (00:16:14) – Because I.
Christina (00:16:14) – like it reminds me of you. So I am a firm believer in when you share your dreams and you share your goals, and you say them out loud that there is power within that, that’s like you’re helping to manifest that. So what are some of the dreams and goals that you have for yourself?
Feria (00:16:38) – As of right now.
Feria (00:16:41) – My short term goal is to graduate. Like I said, I’m a rising senior, so I am looking forward to graduating with good grades, of course. A very big goal of mine, like I said earlier, was to become a software engineer at a renowned company and doing something that I love pretty much.
Feria (00:17:07) – that’s a very big goal of mine, and I hope to achieve that by the time I am graduating. Another thing I would say is I hope because my parents are not here, so I hope to bring them here with me sometime in the future. And I hopefully we can all be together. Yeah. Those are a couple goals of mine. Of mine.
Christina (00:17:30) – So I have this thing and it’s called a bag and I didn’t come up with it. I heard it from somebody else. But Bag stands for big Hairy Audacious Goal. So what? So you’ve got your goal of short term graduating from college. You know, wanting to work at a really amazing company and the ability to be able to bring your parents here, which are very amazing goals. But like, what would be your bag? And like another person, like a friend of mine calls it, she calls them vomit goals. Like when you think about it, it’s like, I don’t know that I can do that kind of thing. So what would be like one of what would you consider to be like your bag? Just like this big, crazy goal that you’re like, I don’t know if I can do that or not.
Feria (00:18:16) – Oh, Let me think.
Feria (00:18:21) – Okay. Okay I.
Feria (00:18:22) – Have.
Feria (00:18:22) – So my bag I would say is possibly, in the future once I’m like very well established but not necessarily very well established. But I would say my back is probably starting having my own startup company and then growing. It’s like $1 billion company.
Christina (00:18:43) – Yeah. Nice. That is a very good bag to have. you’ve mentioned it a couple times, so I wanted to ask you. So what do you think? Like, what are the characteristics of the company that you would like to work for, like you said, like, you know, one that aligns with your goals and things like that and your values, but so, like, what are some of those things? And the reason why I’m asking this, because, you know, there are going to be people who are watching this and maybe they are working at one of those companies. So what would be like your what are those, values and things that those companies do that you really are looking for?
Feria (00:19:20) – Sure.
Feria (00:19:21) – a big thing.
Feria (00:19:22) – For me would be a company that has DDA initiatives and holds holds themselves accountable to uphold those Dei initiatives, especially right now where, people like there’s companies retracting, oh, they’re like, oh, we’re not doing diversity, equity and inclusion. No, more like we’re done with that. That was just a phase. That’s a big thing for me. I would like to be somewhere where I can see representation and not just representation of me, but representation of any other person who was once a minority in tech. I would also want a company that is respectful of their employees and has a very, What’s the word? Attractive work life balance. Yeah, that’s the word. I was looking for an attractive work life balance. I also like a company where I can grow in my career, where it’s not that the work culture is not toxic or it’s not, you know, it’s just very. It’s open. It’s free. The employees feel comfortable, and you feel comfortable in yourself and your work, and you’re able to grow as an employee so you can move up in your career.
Feria (00:20:34) – I guess those are the few things that look attractive to me in a company.
Christina (00:20:41) – Absolutely. And I think it’s really important, like you brought up the fact of like not just having that Dei statement, but like actually showing that you are, you know, putting your money where your mouth is that you want to do this. But then like your, your board of directors and things like that look like, you know, something that is exactly like, do they look like your employee workforce? Are they not? Are you bringing in diversity? Exactly. So before we leave today with our interview, what is for the nerdy girls who are up and coming rising nerdy girls? What would be a piece of advice that you would like to share with them?
Feria (00:21:20) – A piece of.
Feria (00:21:20) – Advice I would like to share is keep believing in yourself and never give up, because I promise you and any other person who might be watching this interview, it gets better. Like if things look and feel difficult right now, I promise you that’s just a stepping stone for you.
Feria (00:21:40) – For something greater than you have ever imagined. I was at one of not the worst part of my life, but I was at a very difficult point in my life during my sophomore year or just after my freshman year, because I was contemplating changing my major. I was basically going through a life crisis, but I had to remind myself that everything doesn’t end here and now. Life continues and it gets better at the end of the day. So I just have to keep pushing and keep believing in myself. And I did that. And things are looking better now. So that’s my advice to people keep pushing, keep believing in yourself and things are definitely going to get better.
Christina (00:22:19) – Awesome. That is great advice. Well, thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me today. I really appreciate it and answering our questions and being a nice role model for the young women that are out there. So thank you so much.
Feria (00:22:33) – Thank you for taking your time to interview me today. It was a pleasure answering all those questions, and I hope anybody watching this learned something important from this.
Feria (00:22:43) – Thank you.