Noor El-Hawwat’s journey into the technology industry began with a simple decision to follow in her sister’s footsteps and major in computer science. But what started as a simple choice quickly blossomed into a passion for technology, and a drive to uplift underrepresented minorities led her to Cornell University. . I first went through the Breakthrough Tech program and am currently pursuing my master’s degree. Student in the Computer Science Engineering Master’s Program.
Founded by former Verizon CIO Judith Spitz, Break Through Tech provides technical skills training, professional readiness support, and hands-on services to Black, Latinx, Native American, low-income women, and gender nonconforming individuals. This is an initiative by Cornell University aimed at achieving this goal. Global project experience to enter impactful technology roles.
Currently, women make up only 35% of the U.S. technology workforce. Break Through Tech’s programs are committed to closing the gap by helping women from underserved backgrounds secure tech internships and launch their careers. They excel on their way into the industry through opportunities to partner with companies in the broader technology industry, with more than 7,000 women from around 300 universities across the country participating to date.
Breakthrough Tech played a pivotal role in Elhawat’s decision to pursue a master’s degree at Cornell Tech. Reflecting on her experience, she said the program was “unlike any other” and highlighted the unique opportunities it offers. “Participating in other extracurricular activities and being the best version of myself as a leader and advocate for marginalized groups really sparked positivity and optimism in me,” she said. spoke.
For El Howat, the program was more than just a stepping stone. It was a transformative experience that gave her confidence and solidified her passion for technology. “When I met the participants and leaders of Break Through Tech, I knew Cornell University and the tech industry were the place for me,” she said.
Noor El-Hawwat, a native of Cedar Grove, earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Rutgers University-Newark. While participating in the Break Through Tech AI program, a year-long extracurricular activity that equips undergraduate students with the skills needed to secure jobs in the fast-growing technology field, El-Hawwat I attended a machine learning basics course. She applied skills such as data analysis and machine learning to tackle real-world challenges, inspiring us to think creatively and collaborate closely with colleagues.
As part of the program, El Howat and her teammates will be tasked with a challenge project that leverages industry-related tools and datasets to identify the perfect location for a new coffee shop opening its first location in New York City. Assigned. El-Hawwat and her team conducted extensive research into what makes New York City cafes successful, ultimately determining the neighborhood’s impact on everything from crime rates to budgets, access to transit to pedestrian traffic. We have put together a presentation that explores the dataset. “It was a very successful experience that brought out my highest optimism about becoming an entrepreneur in the industry,” El-Hawwat said.
El-Hawwat’s experience with the program demonstrated how central the values of diversity, innovation, and entrepreneurship are to Cornell Tech’s mission. “As someone who wants to be an entrepreneur, the Break Through Tech program was very impressive and made me want to continue my journey at Cornell,” she explained.
Her decision to pursue a master’s degree at Cornell Tech was inspired by a Zoom meeting she held during her Breakthrough Tech days, where she had the opportunity to learn from current Cornell Tech students about their experiences. “It was really inspiring to think that I was in a space that embodied the idea of inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs,” she said. “Cornell University is made up of diverse, innovative individuals who want to contribute to the next generation of AI, who inspire each other to create and strive to change the world, and who are committed to Cornell University. Through access to resources, we can develop new creations. It’s a community where what might seem like crazy ambitions elsewhere can actually become a reality.”
Now a master’s student, El Howat is excited about the future. She is eager to learn, grow, and continue to contribute to the AI revolution this institution champions. She believes that the close-knit environment at Cornell Tech, combined with the mentorship from great practitioners, has transformed her into “an entirely different person…in a good way, someone I never thought I would have become otherwise.” I believe I can do it.
El-Hawwat’s story is a testament to the power of programs like Break Through Tech in shaping the next generation of leaders. Her trajectory from a high school student interested in computer science to a confident and motivated master’s student at Cornell Tech provides opportunities for women and underserved communities in technology. and the impact of providing support. “All these things together make me feel like I belong here and that this is the place to continue my experience and education.”
