Welcome to our latest blog post celebrating the incredible women in our Technical Scholar Program at TD SYNNEX! This unique part-time opportunity is available to students pursuing tech careers in either Greenville, SC, or Clearwater, FL. With a hybrid work arrangement and flexible hours to accommodate school schedules, participants typically work 20-25 hours per week.

Over 6 to 18 months, our scholars gain hands-on experience with technologies like cloud, security, data centers, and networking. They also play a vital role in guiding resellers through the TD SYNNEX ecosystem, offering presales design consultations, product recommendations, and project support.

Today, we're excited to spotlight some of our female Technical Scholars who have not only thrived in the program but also transitioned into full-time roles at TD SYNNEX. We hope their stories inspire more women to explore careers in technology and join our growing community.

Autumn Kissinger, Technical Scholar

Christina Ferrari, Data Scientist, Advanced Analytics

Sophia Southard, Solutions Architect – IBM

What inspired you to pursue a career in technology?

Autumn: My interest in technology was first sparked in middle school, when I took a general STEM course, and later joined the robotics club. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in STEM but wasn’t set on technology until high school. Being on the robotics team and taking a computer science class introduced me to exciting topics related to technology, which inspired me to research different fields and eventually decide on studying cybersecurity in college.

Christina: I have been fascinated with computers since I was little! In college, I thought about majoring in computer science, but it seemed like it was already “too late.” I felt like I was surrounded by boys who had been writing their own programs since they were in diapers. At age 25, during my first career as a financial analyst, I realized that I would never be able to shake my passion for technology. Since then, I have built my own PC, completed a master’s in computer and information technology, and secured a career as a data scientist!

Sophia: What inspired me to pursue a career in technology was my inherent analytical nature, coupled with thriving in challenging environments throughout my time at Colorado State University. I was driven by a desire to deepen my understanding of technology and its complexities, allowing me to engage with a unique technical language and perceive nuances that others might overlook, which I find incredibly empowering.

How did you discover the Technical Scholar Program at TD SYNNEX?

Autumn: I discovered the Technical Scholar Program through Charlie Will. He was previously my coach for the USF rowing team and sent information about the position through our team chat. I felt encouraged to apply, and Charlie is now my manager in my current position as a Tech Scholar.

Sophia: I discovered the Technical Scholar Program at TD SYNNEX during my summer internship in business development, which ended as the summer concluded. Eager to continue my journey with TD SYNNEX into the school year, I found the Tech Scholar Program, which offered part-time work until graduation. This opportunity aligned with my goal of becoming more technical, especially since the program was in its early stages, generating a lot of enthusiasm and potential for growth.

Can you describe a typical day in the life of a Technical Scholar at TD SYNNEX?

Autumn: As a Technical Scholar, I am a part of the Pre-Sales Engineering team, and our main task is to complete tickets involving various requests from customers. These requests can often be a customer simply asking for a specific part they need, as well as a customer asking for recommendations for a product, based on given specifications or requirements. We also hold weekly team meetings to collaborate and share insights, including challenges we’ve faced with tickets, updates on personal projects, presentations, and solutions that might benefit the rest of the team.

How has the mentorship component of the Technical Scholar Program impacted your professional and personal growth?

Autumn: The mentorship program has impacted both my professional and personal growth by allowing me to make personal connections with full-time employees at TD SYNNEX and learn more about what positions may be available to me after graduation. I have had the opportunity of meeting with a new mentor each month, and each of them have not only given me helpful insights on how to grow in my field and shared technical knowledge, but they have also shown me that they truly care about my success and will do all they can to help me get to where I want to be.

Christina: The mentor program is a great opportunity to get to know people from different parts of the organization. Through the mentorship program, I found out about company-sponsored AWS certification, got to work on a retrieval augmented generation AI model, and created data reports alongside our Chief Data Scientist!

Sophia: Despite my limited engagement in mentorships during my time as a Tech Scholar, the program instilled in me the value of mentorship. This understanding has persisted into my full-time career, where I actively seek guidance from mentors to navigate my professional journey, discuss career aspirations, and seek advice on business challenges. I consider mentorships the most impactful piece of my growth, recognizing that I owe much of my current success to their support and insights.

What advice would you give to other young women considering a career in technology or applying for the Technical Scholar Program?

Autumn: My advice is to be curious and open to trying new things. Technology is a field where you can explore many different areas, so don’t be afraid to try even if it seems challenging or less familiar. While technology is commonly a male-dominated field, don’t let that discourage you from pursuing your goals and exploring the areas you're passionate about. Diverse viewpoints are valuable, and your unique perspective can make a difference. Programs like the Technical Scholar Program are a great way to get hands-on experience and connect with helpful mentors.

Christina: If you realize you have a passion for technology, go for it! You don’t need to be an expert today. The great thing about tech is that it’s constantly changing. No one knows everything, and no one expects you to.

Sophia: My advice to young women considering a career in technology or applying for the Technical Scholar Program is to never underestimate the power of technical knowledge. Don't let the demographics of your peers affect your confidence in pursuing a serious career in technology. Seek out female mentors who can offer guidance and support, even if they're not in tech themselves; their insights can be incredibly beneficial. Stay eager to learn and maintain a positive attitude toward gaining new knowledge and skills—this enthusiasm will fuel your growth and success in the tech industry.

How has your experience as a Technical Scholar prepared you for your current full-time role at TD SYNNEX?

Christina: The Tech Scholar program is a great way of getting an understanding of the organization before starting a full-time role. I spent six months with the Tech Scholar program making connections and becoming familiar with different departments within TD SYNNEX. Adjusting to the full-time position was easy because I already had friends, knew the team I was joining, and understood the business.

We hope these inspiring stories of our female Technical Scholars motivate you to explore the exciting opportunities within our Early Careers at TD SYNNEX. If you are a student passionate about technology and eager to gain real-world experience, we encourage you to apply and join our supportive and dynamic team. You'll also find support through Elevate, our BRG dedicated to advancing women.

Stay tuned for more success stories and updates from our talented team members, as well as learn more about our University Recruiting efforts. Until then, keep exploring, learning, and reaching for the stars.

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