LinkedIn Top Voice for Gen Z | Corporate Trainer & Keynote Speaker | Founder of That LinkedIn Girl 👩🏻💻 | [in]structor at LinkedIn Learning | prev @ Disney, Soma Capital
"You can't be a beauty queen and an engineer." "You've got to stop doing pageants; it takes away from your professionalism." "You've got to tone down the girliness; you're never gonna be taken seriously." These are all real things people have said to me over the last decade. I've been doing pageants my entire life and became interested in engineering and computers around middle school. Suddenly, everyone was telling me I couldn't have or do both. It only got worse as I got older, ESPECIALLY in college. So I would separate my two identities. When I was in pageant mode, I was all sparkles, lip gloss, and pretty dresses. When in class, I was heads-down, "Don't talk too much or too loud," wear sweats to class, and try to blend in. The irony was that I could still be intelligent and professional in pageants ~ if anything, it was an advantage for me. But I couldn't bring my big, outspoken, sparkly personality into the classroom. Eventually, I got tired of separating the two and said, "Screw it." I'm just going to be my whole authentic self, sparkles and all, everywhere, no matter what people think. It wasn't always positive, especially when I'd walk into my algorithms class with 4-inch high heels and a full face of makeup. BUT, it didn't matter because I finally felt like I was being myself in the thing that I loved to do. Now, it's a huge part of my brand ~ the white & pink "power" suit, the 6-inch high heels (I upgraded 😆), and sparkles, and all. Not everybody is a fan of it, and that's OK. But what I hope people can realize from the duality and the dichotomy of being a technologist/engineer and a pageant queen is that 1) you can do and be any combination of things you want and 2) you can do it while being your whole authentic self. However you choose to dress, look, or talk is totally unique to you and it's what makes you, YOU. Don't be afraid to express that everywhere you go; it doesn't make you any less professional.
Ciara Cade
1mo
I got a question once on how I maintain my femininity as a student and woman working in corporate. My advice definitely resonates with this post, TONE IT UP! 🤣
Reyna Gowie
1mo
Your story is so inspiring, and the fact that you're actually able to walk in 6 inch heels is so impressive!! I applaud the authenticity! 👏🏾
Adriana Castillo
1mo
YOU LOOKS GORGEOUS!! 🫶🏾🫶🏾
Rukaiah E.
1mo
Authenticity wins!
I believe authenticity and embracing all sides of yourself are very important, something we all fear to do in today's world due to societal judgment or even just our friends and family. And I am very glad you are talking about this because I believe it's all these different sides that truly make the world a beautiful place!
Ume Habiba
1mo
Proving you can truly be anything you put your mind to—I’m so proud of you!!🥹
Isabela Ford
2w
You are intelligent and beautiful, something so many envy, keep making them jealous because where you’re going, it doesn’t matter who talks, you’ll be the sparkler at the top!! Queen energy!!! 😍🤌🏼💗
Joyce Masvaya
1mo
Way to go! Surely, you can do and be any combination of things you want. Kudos to you for being your aunthetic self. Quite inspiring 😃
Leveraging Creativity for a Tech-Driven Impact
1moWhenever you go to a conference and want to find Morgan, you can always find her by her high heels. It’s so iconic! Thanks so much for sharing your story about how you show up authentically and are breaking stereotypes. Morgan Young with Klossy helped break this down for me and show me that being in tech can be fun and creative and it’s not the classic man in a dark room with a dark hoodie. You are a role model to so many - keep it up!👏🏻