By Krysten Brenlla
Originally from Venezuela, Ashley Prado knows what it means to live in the digital divide. In 2020, Prado and her family moved to the United States amid the pandemic when she was just a teenager in high school, and for her, navigating online classes in a new country with an unfamiliar language was challenging.
However, the challenges that many immigrant teens face when moving to a new country forced Prado to work with technology, and ever since then, her interest for technology and computer science grew from her desire to bridge gaps in accessibility and opportunity.
“I wasn’t exposed to technology or computer science growing up, aside from schoolwork like PowerPoint presentations,” she recalls. “But, when I got to the U.S., my high school had over 2,000 students, and I noticed that it lacked resources for students to learn about available opportunities, like scholarships or dual enrollment. That’s when I knew I had to do something to help.”
Determined to make a difference, she created a basic webpage for her peers in school that listed available scholarships and programs. Through this experience, she realized how technology could provide real solutions to pressing issues.
“So many students have the potential to do great things, but they may not know about the opportunities that are out there. I wanted to change that,” Prado said. “I saw how technology could be a solution that can impact so many lives.”
Her work in high school, which resulted in her earning the Miami Herald Silver Knight Award for Community Service and Academic Excellence, led her to pursue a degree in computer science at Florida International University, where she was awarded a full-ride scholarship through the Cambridge AICE program and Bright Futures.
Now, a junior at FIU, she’s already making an impact in the tech scene.
“When I built that webpage, I noticed that technology was a way to bridge the gap,” Prado said. “With an idea, a computer, and a basic HTML or CSS file, you can create solutions that can impact so many people and change their lives – that’s why I knew I needed to study computer science.”
In addition to her studies, Prado also works part-time as a website developer for Basic Solutions Group, which designs websites for over 200 schools across Miami-Dade County, helping bring digital resources to students and parents. She’s also an instructor for Code/Art, where she teaches K-12 students fundamental computer science skills, vice president of the Society of Women Engineers at FIU (where she developed their student website), and is a part of the FIU’s INIT and Break Through Tech organizations.
Supported by the Miami Tech Talent Coalition, a collaboration of employers, academia, and community organizations on a mission to fuel Miami’s tech talent pipeline by creating new pathways for students and residents, FIU students can join programs like Break Through Tech Miami, a hands-on initiative designed to equip them with essential computing skills and resources. The Coalition is part of Miami Tech Works, an initiative funded by a $10 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Through Break Through Tech Miami at FIU, Prado participated in a software engineering pre-internship program, where she had the opportunity to work with Python and develop an app that made it easy for immigrant students to learn a new language. She’s also working with students in INIT to create an AI-powered system that helps translate sign language in real time.
“Working with Break Through Tech Miami and INIT at FIU completely changed my experience,” Prado said. “They supported me with resume reviews, interview prep, and connected me with peers who guided me. I feel so grateful, because I feel like I had angels all around me that would help me take the steps I needed to change my life. Now, I want to help others.”
Not only does Prado think that web development and computer science is essential, her passion also extends into artificial intelligence – specifically in diversity and inclusivity, where she’s interested in addressing biases in machine learning models.
“As a Latina in tech, I want to be at the table, contributing to AI systems that are inclusive and representative of everyone,” she said. “Currently, machine learning models aren’t incorporating everyone, but we can create AI models that represent everyone – it’s such a great community to be a part of right now.”
For the future, Prado is looking forward to many new adventures in tech – including a recently secured full-stack software engineering internship with Microsoft for Summer 2025, where she’ll work with Microsoft’s Azure team on AI-driven projects.
And, after graduation, she’s considering pursuing a master’s degree in AI and data science through FIU’s accelerated program, so she could create systems that represent everyone – women, people of color, and underrepresented communities.
Prado encourages tech students to take every opportunity that comes their way.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions or put yourself out there. Start small — build something you’re passionate about and keep learning,” she said. “Even if 10 people don’t reply, one will. Rejection isn’t rejection; it’s redirection.”
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For employers: How to get involved in the Miami Tech Talent Coalition
Your involvement can make a significant difference in shaping the future of Miami’s tech industry, creating a vibrant and sustainable tech talent ecosystem. Together, participants can continue to build Miami as an innovative hub and a desirable destination for businesses and tech talent.
- Join the Coalition here. Employers can also specify a work group they are interested in.
- Attend a meeting: The next in-person general meeting will be April 10. Find out more and register here.
- Stay connected with the coalition’s progress and updates by signing up for their newsletter here, reviewing the website here, and following Miami Tech Works on LinkedIn and Instagram.
READ MORE ABOUT MIAMI TECH WORKS IN REFRESH MIAMI:
- Building a future in tech: How OIC of South Florida helped Woodly Chery turn passion into opportunity
- How Miami Tech Works and its partners aim to keep the region’s emerging tech talent right here
- How did this MDC international student land a corporate job in tech? Hard work and networking
- From paramedic to software engineer: Meet Rolando Caceres
- At the Tech Talent Summits and Fest, smart job-hunting advice was in abundance. Here’s some of the best.
- The Cuban native dreamed of earning a degree. Now she’s graduating from MDC and already landed a job in tech.
- The data is in: We have tech talent, but are not retaining it. Now what?
- And much more here.
Refresh Miami is a proud partner of Miami Tech Works
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