You Have Not Because You Ask Not: Unlocking Data & The Power of Asking for Help

Welcome back to Black Liberation.Tech! I’m Dr. Renée Jordan, and in today’s episode, we’ll be revisiting a personal reflection from November 2020 titled “You Have Not Because You Ask Not.” This episode focuses on an important lesson I learned during my dissertation journey—how asking for help unlocked critical data that transformed my research.The Challenge of Data AccessAs a doctoral candidate, I was deeply invested in researching the presence and impact of Latina and Black women in the Information Industry and Computer and Mathematical Occupations. My goal was to uncover disaggregated data, but the more I searched, the more roadblocks I encountered. Many of the studies I reviewed referenced the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, but isolating the exact data I needed proved to be more difficult than I anticipated.At the time, I felt stuck and unsure of how to proceed. I had reached a point in my research where I couldn’t make further progress on my own, and I wasn’t sure who could guide me through this data maze. My experience at this stage is a common one—feeling like you’ve hit a wall, unsure of where to turn next.Reaching Out for HelpThis is where the title of today’s episode comes into play—“You Have Not Because You Ask Not.” The breakthrough in my research came not from continuing to struggle in isolation, but from reaching out for help. One of my professors encouraged me to keep manipulating the tables and to push further. But it wasn’t until I reached out to the Bureau of Labor Statistics directly that I made real progress. I left a message, and before long, a representative named Cody called me back.This interaction was a game-changer. Cody not only pointed me to a table that contained exactly the data I needed for Latina and Black women in the Information Industry, but he also directed me to the right people when I needed further information on Black and Latina women in Computer and Mathematical Occupations.The Broader ImpactWhile my experience was specific to my dissertation, the lesson of asking for help is applicable across industries, fields, and personal endeavors. Whether you're conducting research, managing a project, or navigating a challenging work environment, there is power in reaching out to others. The truth is, none of us succeed in isolation. The answers you seek may be closer than you think—they’re often just a question away.Key Takeaways:Don’t struggle in silence. Asking for help can unlock new possibilities and solutions.Persistence and networking are essential tools for researchers, professionals, and students alike.There is unpublished data out there—knowing how to ask for it is crucial.Collaboration and leveraging others' expertise can accelerate your success and push you past roadblocks.