Her Story
About Makenzie
Makenzie Musselman is a Computer and Information Systems student at King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree with a minor in Data Analytics. Her interest in technology took root early, sparked by movies featuring tech professionals and time spent following her father to his office. That early curiosity grew into self-directed learning during high school, where she taught herself through YouTube tutorials and online resources before formalizing her skills through college-level coursework — she completed a full year of college credits while still in high school, graduating from Dallas Senior High School in 2025.
Since enrolling at King's College, Musselman has built hands-on experience across both campus IT support and real-world software development. As an Information Technology Support Specialist at King's College, she has documented and resolved technical issues for students, faculty, and alumni while managing technology for campus events. She has also worked as a software developer intern at Berkshire Hathaway Guard Insurance Companies, where she modifies files and works with queries in a professional in-office and remote setting. She currently holds Microsoft and Excel certifications and has written more than a thousand lines of code, reflecting a growing technical foundation she continues to build on.
Beyond her technical work, Musselman is driven by a desire to create opportunity for underrepresented communities in tech, particularly women and LGBTQ+ individuals in a field she describes as still male-dominated. She credits her progress to a strong work ethic and a willingness to seize opportunities, along with acknowledging the early access she had to technology coursework. Her advice to young women entering the industry is direct: keep going, stay true to yourself, don't listen to negativity, and speak up for what you deserve. In recognition of her early achievements and trajectory, she was selected as a featured honoree by Influential Women for its 2026 edition.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Makenzie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a strong work ethic and a genuine drive to keep learning and growing. I’ve always believed in taking initiative rather than waiting for opportunities to come to me. I also feel a responsibility to help others succeed, particularly women and members of the LGBTQ+ community, by creating opportunities and sharing the support I was fortunate to receive through early exposure to technology.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to seize opportunities and embrace challenges. Life moves quickly, and every day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and make meaningful progress toward your goals.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay true to yourself and never be afraid to advocate for your ideas and your value. The technology industry can still be male-dominated, so it’s important to speak up, build confidence, and seek mentors and supportive communities that will help you grow throughout your career.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity is one of my core values. As a bisexual woman in STEM, I believe it is important to stay true to who I am and create environments where others feel they can do the same. I also believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt, fostering inclusive communities, and helping others succeed. My long-term goal is to build a platform that supports women and members of the LGBTQ+ community in technology, especially those who may not have access to the opportunities or support systems that I was fortunate to have early in my career.
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