Shaquina Holmes
Shaquina Holmes is an accomplished IT Engineer Level 3 at Jorie AI, with more than 14 years of experience in the technology field. She specializes in designing, implementing, and optimizing cloud infrastructure using Microsoft Azure. Her expertise lies in building scalable, resilient environments that support enterprise applications—creating the foundational systems, such as virtual machines, that enable software to run efficiently and securely. Known for her strong systems engineering background and innovative mindset, she consistently delivers solutions that enhance performance and operational efficiency.
Shaquina’s career journey reflects both determination and adaptability. She earned her undergraduate degree in biology and chemistry from University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2013, initially pursuing a path in healthcare. Early in her career, a conversation about the value of engineering reshaped her trajectory, prompting her to transition into technology. While enrolled in a health informatics master’s program, she recognized her passion for engineering and shifted her focus to software engineering at Walden University. Although the program was designed to be completed in 18 months, she completed it in two years after being selected to represent her department internationally—an opportunity that reflected her academic excellence and dedication. Her natural curiosity and lifelong interest in technology have been central to her success, as she has always been driven to build, create, and innovate.
Throughout her career, Shaquina has held roles spanning systems engineering, cloud administration, and technical support, contributing to both private sector organizations and government institutions. She has led Azure infrastructure initiatives, developed CI/CD pipelines, and engineered solutions such as automated systems that streamline medical billing through virtual machine-based processes. Currently working as a senior Azure engineer, she focuses on building the underlying environments that power enterprise applications, particularly within Microsoft ecosystems. Despite navigating challenges such as being one of the few Black women in her field and working within an industry experiencing ongoing workforce shifts and global competition, she remains committed to advancing innovation, expanding her expertise, and creating meaningful impact through technology.
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock - BS, Biology/Biological Sciences, General
• Walden University - MSIT
• Selected to represent department abroad during master's program
• Book Club Host for Let's Get Social Raleigh (nonprofit)
• Former Girl Scout Troop Leader (Boy Scouts girls' troop)
• Tutor -
Promiseland Ministries
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to adapt, continuously learn, and apply a strong analytical foundation across disciplines. Transitioning from a background in biology and chemistry into software engineering required both resilience and curiosity, as I translated my scientific problem-solving skills into building scalable, reliable systems. This interdisciplinary perspective has enabled me to approach challenges with a unique lens, particularly in my work developing infrastructure that supports Microsoft products, where precision, collaboration, and innovation are essential.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The biggest piece of advice I've received is that rejection is God's protection. When you're applying to jobs and you get those rejection letters, or when you're trying to reach a goal and for some reason you don't achieve it because of outside influences, you can't take it personally. Rejection is God's protection. I actually got this from watching Scandal - Kerry Washington said it, and it really stuck with me. It's helped me navigate the challenges in my career, especially in a field where layoffs are common and you face a lot of rejection.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The sky's the limit, and never think that you don't belong in those rooms. If it's a goal of yours, you belong in those rooms. There's always room for you at the table. Never doubt that you belong in leadership positions or in any space you're trying to enter. You have every right to be there, and you should take up that space confidently.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in IT right now are the huge layoffs happening every quarter. Companies are laying off their talent for money reasons, or because they want to go in a different direction, or they're trying to build something brand new and want to bring in new people. A lot of companies are also getting engineers from other countries because it's cheaper and they don't have to pay for healthcare. It's creating a really unstable environment for IT professionals. On a personal level, I'm oftentimes the only Black woman in my department, often in the entire company, which presents its own set of challenges.
Locations
Jorie AI
Benson, NC 27504