Blanca Barrera
Place Of Birth
Guadalajara, Mexico
Family heritage
Mexico
Bio
Director of Engineering for Los Angeles Market at AT&T responsible for 150+ team comprised of Engineering Area Managers, Project Managers, Public Works/Right of Way Engineers, Conduit Layout Engineers and Design Engineers responsible for fiber optics design for GIGA build, Fiber to the Prem (FTTP)-MDU's, FTTP-Housing tracts, Fiber Overbuild projects, and UG/Gov't relocations in the Greater Los Angeles area. My team at AT&T works on improving the outside plant network which connects to the central office switching, allowing the remote terminals designed by my team to provide very fast broadband data speeds to our wireline and wireless customers. My team is responsible for the deployment of AT&T fiber networks for Wireline and Wireless customers. We manage very large Capital and Expense budgets to deploy mostly new fiber plant, manage the churn of copper plant while meeting budget constraints and targets.
Current job
Director - Engineering
Why would you recommend exploring careers in science and technology to other Latina girls?
As a Latina myself, I believe it is imperative that Latinas are exposed to technical fields and opportunities that they may not be inspired to pursue due to the lack of mentorship and role models within their own families. I like to do outreach to younger Latinas to make them aware that technical careers are exciting and part of the changing society we live in. To share how important Technology advances are changing how we do things and that it's exciting to be part of these changes. I believe role models are important so that Latinas can see that in a male dominated field there are examples of successful Latinas. To motivate the younger Latinas to get a glimpse of what's required in an engineering degree, for example, by emphasizing what educational targets need to be set and that there is financial aid available to achieve that. Also to share my story and background which I think will impress that it "CAN BE DONE".