Meet Dr. Shumba
With over 20 years of experience in academia and technology, Dr. Shumba has dedicated her career to ensuring students and career changers are well prepared for tech professions. Starting as a software engineer for a high tech company, her academic career progression demonstrates exceptional leadership, rising from Assistant Professor to Full Professor of Computer Science, then serving as Director for a Center for Information Assurance, Associate Vice Dean for Cybersecurity Programs, and Cyber Science Professor before heading a computing department. She has started several chapters to support women in technology and has published in numerous reputable journals.
Dr. Shumba is the recipient of the 2024 University System of Maryland Elkins Professorship Award and the 2024 USM Mentor Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to education and mentorship. She has helped 500+ adults from diverse backgrounds transition into successful tech careers. Her insights and programs have been featured in national media outlets including The New York Times, Scripps, The Post Star, and The News & Advance. She has established herself as a leading voice in tech career transitions, dedicated to helping people avoid costly mistakes and build strategic transition plans through her proven Tech Success System.
My Journey
Mentoring is in my DNA. Back in 7th grade, I had a teacher who believed in me and trusted me to tutor ten students who were behind in math. Every single day, I taught and graded for those ten students. That experience taught me that helping others succeed is not just what I do, it is who I am.
My journey was not linear. As a software engineer, I thought I had my career figured out, until I decided to transition into academia. My first mentor was determined to frustrate me each and every day, and I was looking for a way out. This experience taught me the critical importance of speaking up and advocating for yourself. Eventually, I secured a scholarship for my MS and PhD, successfully pivoting into academia.
After completing my PhD and entering academia, I made another transition into cybersecurity. This time, I had a great mentor who guided me through resources and regular meetings. The contrast was night and day. This experience showed me that successful career transitions require more than just skills, they require strategic assessment, proper exploration, and the right kind of accountability and mentorship.
I truly understand the challenges career changers face because I have lived them from multiple perspectives. I know firsthand the struggle of balancing family, work, and career transition while raising three children. I also understand the challenges families face when supporting students in their tech journey, having raised two children who are now thriving in technology careers.
Trying to navigate major transitions while managing family responsibilities taught me that traditional approaches do not work for busy adults. That is exactly why I developed my approach, to help people create transition plans that fit their real life, not an idealized version where you have unlimited time and resources.
Creating the System
During my 20+ years in academia, rising from Assistant Professor to Full Professor of Computer Science, then serving as Director for a Center for Information Assurance and Associate Vice Dean for Cybersecurity Programs, and eventually heading a computing department, I worked tirelessly to ensure students and career changers were well prepared for tech professions.
Across all these roles, I witnessed the same costly mistakes happening repeatedly, people starting without proper self assessment, jumping into expensive programs without exploring their options, having no strategic transition plan, and trying to navigate the complex tech landscape alone.
That is when I developed my approach to help people avoid these pitfalls. After helping 500+ people successfully transition into tech, from teachers to retail managers to social workers, I realized that with the right guidance and a systematic approach, anyone can make this transition confidently and avoid the expensive trial and error that derails most career changers.
I have walked this journey from multiple perspectives. Not only have I made my own career transitions, but I have also guided my family through theirs. I raised three children, and while they initially never thought they wanted careers in tech, two of them are now thriving in technology fields. Guiding them through their career discoveries, from initial uncertainty to finding their paths, reinforced everything I learned about the importance of proper assessment, strategic exploration, and having the right support system throughout the journey.
This combination of professional expertise, personal experience, and family guidance shaped my understanding of what works for individual career changers and families navigating these important decisions together.
My Values
What I am most proud of is not just the 500+ successful career transitions I have guided, but watching people discover confidence they did not know they had. There is something powerful about the moment someone realizes they are not starting over, they are building on everything they have already accomplished.
My faith shapes everything I do. As Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." This is why I created the Faith + Tech Career Community, because I believe major life transitions should not be navigated alone. Whether someone shares my faith or not, everyone deserves supportive guidance during these pivotal moments.
Having experienced career uncertainty myself while raising three children, I understand the weight of these decisions. I know what it is like to feel paralyzed by too many options, to worry about making the wrong choice, and to wonder if you are too old or it is too late. I also know what it is like to watch your children struggle with their own career direction and wonder how to help without overstepping.
My mission is rooted in prevention, help people avoid the costly mistakes that derail most career transitions. Too many people waste years and thousands of dollars because they skip the essential steps of assessment, exploration, and strategic planning. I am committed to changing that pattern.
Whether through self paced courses, community support, or direct mentorship, I meet people exactly where they are. Some need encouragement to take the first step. Others need accountability to keep going. Many need someone who understands both the technical landscape and the human challenges of major transitions.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by tech career options but sense you are meant for something more fulfilling, whether for yourself or your child, I would love to help you find clarity and confidence in your next steps.
