My name is Angie Aramayo (Col ’19), and I was born in Lima, Peru. I’m a tech professional responsible for securing AI infrastructure for customers that need AI model training, inferencing, and fine tuning. Beyond my corporate role, I’m passionate about fostering inclusivity and empowerment within the tech industry. As a board member of the Latinas in Tech Chicago Chapter, I curate engaging social and skill development events for over 1,000 members. I’m also passionate about promoting equitable access to new technology through my contributions to Latinas in Tech’s AI academy, Harper College’s new AI Course Curriculum, and the Generative AI and Natural Language Processing Task Force of the State of Illinois.
What inspired you to pursue your current career path, and how did your background or personal experiences influence your journey?
During my third year, a friend advised me to consider a sales internship at an international tech company. I was primarily interested in sales because I felt I could leverage my personal skills and abilities to succeed in this role. However, I became even more inspired to continue with the company when I realized my parents recognized its presence in Peru. As an immigrant, finding ways to help my parents understand my professional pursuits was a big motivator. My career journey eventually evolved from sales to business development to technical product management. In each role, my background and personal experiences propelled me to be a supportive team member, maintain a positive attitude, and advance with an action-oriented mindset.
What does being part of the Latin American/Latine community mean to you, and how has it influenced your sense of identity or purpose?
My undergraduate experience taught me the value of having a Latine community. Thanks to organizations like Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc., I connected with people who were passionate about giving back to the community, empowering one another, and advancing their professional careers. Throughout my career, I have worked to foster the same sense of community I found at UVA. From leading events for Latine colleagues to curating networking spaces for Latinas in Tech in Chicago, it has been incredibly rewarding to see people from similar backgrounds and experiences find a supportive network and gain access to the resources they need to achieve their goals.
How have you built and maintained meaningful connections within your professional or community networks?
Approaching your peers and professional connections with a positive attitude, grace and curiosity will take you a long way. Tough situations, whether at work or in your personal life, are inevitable – it’s how you let it impact you and others that makes the difference. Make people feel valued, listened to, and appreciated. Everyone is doing great work and there is always something new to learn. People won’t remember what you said but how you made them feel.
What advice would you offer to young Latin American/Latine UVA students or early-career professionals who aspire to follow a similar path?
Focus on the skills you believe are your superpower. Whether it is the ability to be an active listener or being tech savvy, these skills can narrow down job functions that can best suit you. Once you land your first role, learn from everyone around you. Seek out one-on-one conversations with colleagues and peers in your network—it’s through these meaningful connections that you’ll upskill faster and discover new roles. Remember that it is more valuable to invest in getting to know your connections rather than having a lot of people in your network with little information about them. This is how you can find mentors and sponsors that can refer you to new opportunities.
What personal achievement are you most proud of, and how did your unique journey contribute to it?
A recent achievement I’m proud of was being part of Illinois AI and Natural Language Processing Task Force where we produced a report that highlighted the impact of AI and provided recommendations for AI policy. Besides providing perspective on the AI landscape, I focused on adding input on training and educating the workforce of the emerging technology. The Latine community is often left behind when there is tech innovation, I want to ensure our government body provides AI access and enablement to all so that we avoid benefiting few on the power of AI.