In this episode, Anna talks with two powerhouse women at Microsoft and in the Tech Community, Dona Sarkar and April Speight. Both Dona and April are passionate about empowering others, whether in the workplace or in the community - and both have extensive experience working in fashion and tech. We talk about changing careers, re-evaluating ourselves and our work, being women of color in tech, imposter syndrome, learning styles, and tips for creating opportunities for others. No matter where you are in your career journey, you don't want to miss this episode.

Click here for full transcript of this episode.

Resources and Info Links:

Anna Chu | Twitter

Dona Sarkar | Twitter 

April Speight | Twitter | Twitch| YouTube 

"The Baby Developer Show" Twitch with Nathaniel Okenwa | Twitter

Microsoft Tech Community | @MSTCommunity

Humans of IT Community

Regarding 365 | @regarding365

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) 

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In celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we discuss hidden accessibility needs and unexpected benefits for all when accessibility is made a priority in software development. Guests include two of our champion MVPS, Bill Ayers, Microsoft 365 solution architect and developer, and Andy Talbot, Microsoft 365 consultant. "If your applications and web sites aren’t accessible, then you’re creating software that doesn’t work well for anybody. And since it benefits everyone, it really makes no commercial sense not to do it." Bill Ayers.

Resources and Info Links:

Anna Chu | Twitter

Andy Talbot | LinkedIn | Twitter

Bill Ayers | Site | Twitter

"Accessibility for Everyone," blog post by Bill Ayers

GAAD (Global Accessibility Awareness Day) Site | Twitter

Microsoft Accessibility Standards (MAS)

Microsoft Accessibility | Site | Twitter | YouTube | Blog

A Guide to Remote Interpreting for Sign Language Interpreters

Bringing virtual reality to people who are blind with an immersive sensory-based system

I-Remember: an app that helps people with Alzheimer’s recognize faces using AI

Accessibility Learning Webinar Series: Microsoft Teams for Inclusive Communication (video)

The power of technology for people with disabilities

Designing for accessibility guideline posters  

Accessibility checker in Office

Accessibility Insights by Microsoft

PEAT (Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology) | Twitter

EARN (Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion) | Twitter

The A11Y Project  | Twitter

Microsoft Tech Community | @MSTCommunity

Humans of IT Community

Regarding 365 | @regarding365

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) 

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Anna talks with neurodiversity advocates, Chris Gill and Paul Warren, about the relevance and value of being vulnerable and authentic, mentorship, self-advocacy in the workplace, sharing personal experiences, following orders when you're voluntold to do something, letting your kids teach you, and so much more. Learn tips about talking with your coworkers and management about neurodiversity needs such as anxiety and ADHD. And take on the challenge to find your textable tribe.

Resources and Info Links:

“Being vulnerable and finding my tribe at MSIgnite” by Chris Gill

“My #40Days of #Neurodiversity challenge” by Chris Gill

“How Neurodiversity changed my career and life” by Paul Warren

“Neurodiversity as a Superpower” by Mark Szili, MVP

“Neurodiversity at Work” by CIPD

ADDittude magazine

Tribute app – Mentorship redefined.

Anna Chu | Twitter

Paul Warren | Site | LinkedIn | Twitter

Chris Gill | Site | LinkedIn | Twitter

Microsoft Tech Community | @MSTCommunity

Humans of IT Community

Regarding 365 | @regarding365

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) 

Subscribe to The Uptake with Anna Chu:

Listen and subscribe to other Microsoft podcasts at aka.ms/microsoft/podcasts

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You might think, "I cannot draw" or "I don't have talent." And maybe you are right. However, the good news is: sketchnoting is not about art. It's not about performing as an artist or comparing yourself to famous artists. It's not about perfection. It is about communication. Sketchnotes help people all over the world to better remember what they heard, regardless of their drawing skills. Anna talks with two of our Tech Community's celebrated sketchnoters, Luise Freese and Rebecca Jackson - and Frank the bunny. 

Take on our Sketchnote Challenge! Send us a sketchnote of your Day/Week-in-the-life! Tag @TheUptakePod, Luise and Rebeeca and we'll share it!

Resources and Info Links:

Anna Chu | @_achu

Rebecca Jackson | Site | @_rebeccajackson | MVP Profile

Luise Freese | @LuiseFreese | PimpYourOwnDevice stickers! | Sway Presentation on Sketchnoting

Luise’s Ignite 2019 Keynote sketchnote and reply by Satya on Twitter

“2019 or How I started to believe in myself” by Luise Freese  

“Scribbles have meaning” by Better Kid Care

Live sketchnoting of The Uptake Sketchnoting episode video by Rebecca Jackson

Sketchnoting of The Uptake episode on Surface Pro 4 (time-lapse) video by Rebecca Jackson

Microsoft Tech Community | @MSTCommunity

Humans of IT Community

Regarding 365 | @regarding365

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) 

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Listen and subscribe to other Microsoft podcasts at aka.ms/microsoft/podcasts

In this episode, we talk about how community can play a transformative role in your career – taking it in directions you never expected! Anna talks with Brian Dang, Program Manager for Microsoft PowerApps, and Samit Saini, IT Devops and Office 365 Solutions Specialist for London Heathrow Airport. Both Brian and Samit have unique career journeys, which also showcase the transformative power of the Tech Community and of PowerApps. Hear their passion about empowering others, whether in the workplace, in Education, or in personal connection.

Resources and Info Links:

Anna Chu | @_achu

Brian Dang | @8bitclassroom | LinkedIn

Samit Saini | @SamitSaini01 | LinkedIn

Power Platform Community https://powerusers.microsoft.com/

Microsoft Tech Community | @MSTCommunity

Humans of IT Community

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) 

Listen to other Microsoft podcasts at aka.ms/microsoft/podcasts

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Microsoft Ignite The Tour is in Sydney! Anna is in her home country talking with Australia-based Microsoft Cloud Advocate Sonia Cuff and Microsoft Office MVP Loryan Strant. Both Loryan and Sonia have delivered workshops about mental health and awareness in the workplace, how to address individual behavioral differences, and steps to avoid employee burnout. You’ll also learn various ways to take full advantage of your local tech community events and network. And don’t miss the surprise visit by Dundee the Down Under Dino.

Social and Info Links:

Anna Chu | @_achu

Sonia Cuff | @SoniaCuff

Loryan Strant | @LoryanStrant

Microsoft Tech Community | @MSTCommunity

Microsoft Ignite The Tour | @MS_Ignite

Office 365 Community

Humans of IT Community

AvePoint

Luise Freese sketchnote artist | @LuiseFreese

Resources:

Microsoft Ignite The Tour Sydney

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) 

Sonia Cuff at Microsoft Ignite 2018 (video):

“Service degraded: Recognizing mental burnout in your colleagues and yourself”

"How to be productive with ADHD by Loryan Strant"

“Different thinking: how to get the best out of employees with ADHD”

“Employee burnout is a huge problem in the tech industry,” Business Insider.

“The Employee Burnout Crisis: Study Reveals Big Workplace Challenge in 2017,” Kronos.

“Employee burnout defined by World Health Organization,” HR Morning.

Subscribe to The Uptake with Anna Chu:

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Microsoft Ignite The Tour is in Johannesburg! Anna talks with two of Microsoft’s most passionate MVPs, Nicolas Blank and Tracy van der Schyff, both based in South Africa. We talk about tattoos, dinosaurs, the South African word Ubuntu, optimizing for comfort when attending Ignite events, impostor syndrome, and creative ways to inspire personal growth and authenticity.

Social and Info Links:

Anna Chu | @_achu

Nicolas Blank | @NicolasBlank

Tracy van der Schyff | @tracyvds

Microsoft Tech Community | @MSTCommunity

Microsoft Ignite The Tour | @MS_Ignite

Humans of IT Community

AvePoint

Luise Freese sketchnote artist | @LuiseFreese

Resources:

Microsoft Ignite The Tour Johannesburg

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) 

“What is Ubuntu?” Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation

“You’ve got this: how to befriend your inner imposter,” Microsoft Life

“Why 58% of tech employees suffer from imposter syndrome,” TechRepublic

Japan Power Apps Orchestra by Taichi Nakamura

ShiftHappens podcast

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Microsoft Ignite The Tour is in London! Anna talks with UK-based Microsoft MVP guests Simon Denton and Chris Hoard, two people whose career paths have taken impressive turns from civil engineering and education to tech. You’ll learn about how to get certified, what it means and how it boosts your proven experience for your career, to your organization and peers. Also, join the debate of marmite versus vegemite, what’s your choice?

Social and Info Links:

Anna Chu | @_achu

Simon Denton |@buildbod

Chris Hoard | @microsoft365pro

Microsoft Tech Community | @MSTCommunity

Microsoft Ignite The Tour | @MS_Ignite

Office 365 Community

Humans of IT Community

AvePoint

Luise Freese sketchnote artist | @LuiseFreese

Resources:

Microsoft Ignite The Tour London

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) 

Microsoft Technical Certifications

Microsoft "Why get certified? Verify your skills and unlock your creativity"

“Marmite vs. Vegemite”

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The Uptake is a new show on all things tech and community. Host Anna Chu will be traveling and introducing you to people all over the world as she follows the path of Microsoft Ignite The Tour. The show covers topics in the world of tech, as well as uncovers people’s journeys - and how-tos - of professional learning, development and community building. You will meet inspiring people in the community of tech and get inspired to be part of a vast and expanding community in your area and beyond. Subscribe, follow and stay tuned for new episodes!

Social and Info Links:

Anna Chu | @_achu

Microsoft Tech Community | @MSTCommunity

Microsoft Ignite The Tour | @MS_Ignite

Humans of IT Community

Subscribe to The Uptake with Anna Chu:

Listen and subscribe to other Microsoft podcasts at aka.ms/microsoft/podcasts

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

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