Ep 81 - How to Become An AI Strategist with Kierra Dotson

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we’re talking to Kierra Dotson. Kierra is a multi-disciplinary technologist with experience in data, cloud engineering, cloud DevOps, and artificial intelligence.

As a data + AI practitioner, speaker, and startup founder, she’s on a mission to make the field more accessible and help people successfully pivot into tech.

Through her platforms on Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram, Kierra brings culture, creativity, and accessibility into conversations about technology. She also leads The Data Bloq, a consulting and career coaching firm where she has guided hundreds of professionals to secure new roles, promotions, and lasting career growth.

Kierra will share her journey building in data and AI, why accessibility in tech matters, and the lessons she’s learned coaching professionals into thriving careers.

𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏

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CONNECT WITH KIERRA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kierra-dotson-8a2b05111/

Newsletter: https://dataconversationalist.substack.com/

CHAPTERS

0:00 - Intro

1:10 - Why Tech?

7:30 - Being a Self-starter

13:02 - Getting the First Opportunity

17:12 - Should I Learn to Code?

24:20 - Discovering Love for Tech

29:30 - The Art of Not Knowing & Impostor Syndrome

34:57 - AI in Home Appliances

42:09 - Tech Roles in FinTech

47:30 - Sacrifices and Hard Work

1:01:05 - Shoutouts

1:04:25 - Conclusion