Empowering the Next Generation of Women in Tech: A UCLA Computer Science Alumna’s Path to Driving Innovation at Google

Raised by her mother, an educator, Ero has witnessed the power of knowledge from an early age. “I grew up with a mom who always emphasized the value of lifelong learning,” Ero said. “She encouraged me and my siblings to prioritize education, believing it would lay the foundation for success.”

That foundation led Ero to an early fascination with STEM. In seventh grade, she joined an engineering internship at California State University, Long Beach, where she explored different engineering disciplines alongside other middle school girls. Later, at a STEM-focused high school, she immersed herself in designing and programming robots for regional competitions through VEX Robotics, a robotics program for elementary through university students.

But it wasn’t until a summer internship with Girls Who Code that she saw herself in the field. The nonprofit organization aims to support and increase the number of women in computer science.

“Girls Who Code gave me the confidence to pursue a career in computer science and made me feel like I truly belong in tech,” she said. “It was inspiring to see women leading innovative breakthroughs in the field. It made me realize this was something I could truly pursue.”

Her path to the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering was guided not just by academic ambition, but by the promise of community. She was drawn to the Center for Excellence in Engineering and Diversity and the Women in Engineering at UCLA — both dedicated to supporting students who are traditionally underrepresented in the STEM fields.

“Growing up in LA, I always admired UCLA, and being able to experience my hometown through the lens of a Bruin has been incredible,” Ero said. “UCLA felt like home. The energy, the camaraderie and the incredible faculty — it was the perfect place to grow.”

“Don’t count yourself out before you even give yourself a chance. You never know what you’re capable of until you try,” Itohan Ero said.

That sense of belonging became even stronger when Ero joined the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) at UCLA. She was not new to NSBE, having attended a regional convention with her brother while she was in high school. The UCLA chapter offered not only a support system but also an avenue for professional growth. She attended national and regional conventions, practiced her elevator pitches with recruiters and secured internship opportunities. Eventually, she stepped into a leadership role, serving as president of NSBE at UCLA — a role that would define her college experience. 

Under Ero’s leadership, the chapter won UCLA Samueli’s Overall Student Group of the Year award. Its membership more than doubled, growing from 35 to more than 85 students. She organized the first-ever NSBE at UCLA Faculty Lunch, connecting Black students with over 17 UCLA STEM professors. Her team raised more than $11,000 in just one month to send members to the NSBE National Convention.

“Giving back to an organization that had such a profound impact on me was amazing, and there were so many moments and initiatives I’m proud of,” Ero said. “Some of my favorite moments were building connections with other Black engineering students. Those friendships and mentorships have lasted beyond college.”

Ero’s success at UCLA opened doors to one of the most coveted opportunities in tech: an internship at Google. She spent two summers as a software engineering intern before landing a full-time role at the company. Now, she works on YouTube Shorts Creation for Android, specifically focusing on the camera and editor tools that content creators use every day.

But working at Google goes beyond building new products for the recent UCLA computer science graduate. Ero is also pushing herself technically. One of her biggest challenges has been refining the delicate balance between functionality and user experience.

“It’s incredible to work on a product that so many people engage with,” Ero said. “The level of detail that goes into developing these tools is intense. It’s pushed me to grow as both an engineer and a problem-solver.”

Despite her achievements, Ero is acutely aware of the challenges that Black women continue to face in STEM. She says that the tech industry, despite some strides, still lacks diversity, and navigating these spaces as a minority can be daunting.

As she continues her career, Ero says she wants to empower others toward a future where more Black women will feel confident stepping into tech, and where organizations like NSBE and Girls Who Code grow from support systems to launch pads for the next generation of engineers. Ero is determined to be part of that change. Whether through mentorship, outreach or simply sharing her story, Ero hopes to inspire the next generation of Black girls in STEM.

“Being in a field where you don’t always see people who look like you can be intimidating,” Ero said. “But that’s why representation matters so much. Don’t count yourself out before you even give yourself a chance. You never know what you’re capable of until you try.”