Congratulations to Rachel Hill, a 2013 ITWomen Scholarship winner, and to her proud ITWomen Mentor, Margaret Brisbane. Rachel just graduated with a  B.S. in Computer Science from FIU. She focused on the Software Design and Development track and a minor in Mathematical Sciences.

Rachel will start work at Lockheed Martin with the Rotary and Mission Systems business sector. She hopes to enroll in Lockheed’s  leadership program for new grads in June and pursue a master’s degree in the future.

Rachel’s Journey Highlights Mentorship 

Rachel’s journey from student to young tech professional highlights the difference mentors and supportive networks can make. When she lost her mom at the age of 12, Rachel could not foresee the turn her life would take with Margaret’s mentorship and the ‘family’ at the Information Technology Department (ITD) of Miami-Dade county, where Rachel’s mother used to work. Margaret heads ITWomen’s Virtual Mentor program for our scholarship recipients and is Assistant Director at ITD. When it came time to leave home for college, Margaret organized a surprise send-off from Rachel’s ITD ‘family.’  Rachel’s moving ‘ Thank You’ letter is posted here..

“I’m So Proud.”

It’s been an honor to be a Mentor to Rachel,” said Margaret, “and I am so extremely proud of her accomplishments. She is driven and ambitious and I look forward to a continued relationship, to see her grow and prosper in her professional career

“During the past four years Rachel has not only been a Mentee, she has become a part of my family and been embraced by the County family. We are all very proud of her and will continue to support her.”

The Circle Continues with Role Models

Rachel said once she settles in she would like to give back by speaking to younger girls as an ITWomen role model.