Influential Woman · Data Centers

Mikayla Roybal

Critical Environment Technician Manager, Microsoft

Phoenix, AZ

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Master's Degree in Organizational Psychology

Her Story

About Mikayla

I work in critical environments in the data center world, where my primary responsibility is ensuring that the racks of the data center always stay powered and always stay cooled - creating the optimum environment for a rack. Throughout my career, I've experienced every aspect of this side of the business. I started as a technician, maintaining the gear that keeps data centers running. From there, I transitioned into a trainer role where I trained all new incoming hires. After that, I became a manager for the technicians, and now I've moved into a learning and development manager position, or more accurately, a program manager role, where I'm developing a comprehensive training program for a data center. My background is actually quite different from where I ended up. I originally studied psychology and earned my master's degree in organizational psychology. I worked for JLL, a third-party corporate real estate company, doing culture development work. When that account was lost, I started applying for other positions within JLL through mass applications, and I landed on a trainer role. I didn't even know what it was for at first. They suggested I come in and start out as a technician to learn the ropes, and that's how I fell into the data center world. I've now worked for Microsoft for the last 4 years, and for 2 years I was the only woman in my department of over 150 men.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Mikayla

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would say that the different obstacles I've faced have been a big driver for me. Before I got into data center work, I was told that as women, we make less on the dollar than men do, we have more obstacles in the way, there's more things when it comes to women in the workplace. I always heard that, but I never really saw it until I got into the data center world - the way people talk to you, the opportunities that you get, or how loud you kind of have to be to get the same opportunities as someone else. That's been a big driver. Also, I was raised by a single mom who's a nurse - she's fantastic, and I was raised by a strong woman. But on top of that, seeing that there is a lot of inequality in the workplace has been a huge driver. I went to school for several years, I got my master's degree, and then I started over in a brand new field that I didn't know much in, so I had to learn. The more knowledge, the more powerful you feel, and so I would say that's one big driver for me.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say my best advice is put yourself out there, throw your hat in the ring, go for it. Even if you don't feel 100% qualified, or you don't feel like you're 100% ready, or anything like that, give it a try. Studies show that women wait till they're, I think it's like 92% ready for a new position before they go for it, while men are at like 50% or 20% or something. So go for it, you know, and go in with confidence, and just know how strong you are.

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