Moyosore describes themselves as a humanist & technologist interested in technology, philosophy, and psychology.
They focus on how these three areas merge in everyday life and the stories we tell about our definitions of ‘technology’. Their academic background is in computer science & human-computer interaction. During their PhD, they have published papers in some of the top journals in that field and continue to explore topics on how we embody and blur the lines of technology even outside academia. In the startup world, she has been a consultant for a few early-stage startups as a designer and researcher, focusing on humanizing the AI/ML experience.
What are the key roles in your field of work, and why did you choose your current expertise?
Often, it’s hard to explain to people what I do, especially when I say I’m a designer & researcher.
The conversation often goes something like this:
Person: ‘Hmm, what do you design?’
Me: ‘Well, I can really design anything, but I work on designing solutions for tech companies… I’m what you might call a professional problem solver.’
I like to think that design and research are like both sides of the moon. You need one to do the other. And there’s a lot of truth to that. You can’t design without structured data and an understanding of the problem, and research without some kind of contextualization is often just words on paper. Hence, why a lot of academic research isn’t always applicable in the real world (I’m saying this as an academic). So, for me personally, I can work in either role because I infuse both into my work.
What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I’m most proud of myself. That’s what I am proud of.
How I’ve grown, the challenges I’ve taken on, the relationships I’ve formed, the awards I’ve received… those are all reflections of me and the work I put into myself.
Are there any specific skills or traits that you notice companies look for when you’re searching for roles in your field?
This was something I learned the hard way. Before I join any company, I read their Glassdoor reviews and check their employees’ lists on LinkedIn. I once worked somewhere that was extremely toxic, and in hindsight, looking at the Glassdoor reviews would have saved me a lot of trauma. Finally, if the company doesn’t have anyone who looks like me in their list of employees or c-suite, I don’t bother.
Has anyone ever tried to stop you from learning and developing in your professional life, or have you found the tech sector supportive?
I’ve seen both sides of this and even wrote an article about what it’s like to be a Black woman in the workplace. It can be tiring and scary. You might always feel on edge, being called over-ambitious or uneducated (ironic). However, I’ve also met amazing people who have shown me that there are decent people in the workplace. The key is to always go where you are celebrated, don’t be afraid to speak up, and ignore everything else.
Entering the world of work can be daunting. Do you have any words of advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed?
Protect your time and space: A friend of mine once asked me how I manage work with everything else, and I said I create very strict boundaries between my work and every other part of my life. It’s a skill that I’ve learned to cultivate over time. Your work should never be your life; it will blur your clarity and increase your anxiety. For me, this means having very strict working hours. I don’t even talk about work outside of my working hours, and my friends and family are used to this. If you ask me how work is, the most you’ll get is ‘work’s fine.’ Someone gave me this advice very early on in my career, and it saved my life. Shout out to you, Jumoke!
Find joy outside of work and solace in community: I think this point is self-explanatory, but you need other things that bring you meaning beyond working to make someone else richer. Let’s be honest, we live in a capitalist society that seeks to monetize your very existence. I think it is revolutionary to step out of that and find what brings you joy, whether it’s through hobbies, family, volunteering, etc. And don’t let your co-workers be your only source of community.
What advice would you give other women wanting to reach their career goals in technology?
I mean, everyone knows the general advice of networking and being kind to people, but I would add finding a mentor. Find someone who’s been where you are, is going where you’d like to be, or has knowledge on things that you can learn. Be intentional about how you build a relationship and friendship with this person. Be reciprocal in how you show up, and never take your access to them for granted. My mentor, Paula, has been such a blessing in my life.”
