In this blog post
1. Tell us something about your childhood. What values had been instilled in you that helped you excel later in your life?
Growing up, I was very fortunate to have had a lot of support from my family, which led me to never feel limited – and I think that has helped me immensely as I’ve gone to different positions in my career. I tend to look at different roles or projects as new challenges, and believe if I put my mind to it I can learn anything, instead of viewing things I do not know as a roadblock.
2. When did you discover your passion for technology?
I first started to have an interest in technology when I was around 13 years old and got my first computer – that led me to want to learn all about how it worked and could make our lives easier. At the time I didn’t really understand as much about the different real life applications of technology until I went to college and studied Information Technology. There I had the opportunity to try a variety of different technology spaces, from coding and infrastructure to IT project management.
3. How would you define success?
Personally, I define success as feeling like I have made a difference. That can be done in many different ways, large and small – sometimes that looks like rolling out something new that impacts how others at the company do their day-to-day jobs and sometimes it’s mentoring a teammate who is taking on a new responsibility. But either way, I strive to ensure I have made an impact.
4. Looking back on your journey and knowing what you know now, what is the one piece of advice you would give someone just starting in their career?
The main advice I’d give is to try to experience different areas in your field, and try to learn as much as possible from each position – both about the position and about yourself. I found that trying different roles when I first started out in my career led me to really understand what I enjoy and what motivates me, which I was able to take into account as I looked at further steps in my career.
5. What would be your advice to those who want to take up a career in STEM?
I would just say never stop learning and if you have an interest in the space, definitely pursue it! STEM is a rapidly changing space, which means there is always the opportunity to learn something new or expand your knowledge.
6. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #EmbraceEquity – Through equity, we can reach equality. Could you share your thoughts on what steps corporations can take to #EmbraceEquity?
There are a number of things companies can do to #EmbraceEquity. One critical thing that everyone can do is challenge stereotypes and assumptions, such as what types of positions women typically work in, and what an individual’s interests or skillsets are. Everyone, especially people in leadership positions, should question themselves and others on these types of assumptions, and ensure they are truly hearing the ambitions of the women in their workforce. With this knowledge, leaders can advocate for employees who may otherwise not have as much of a voice and help them define a career path that is right for them.
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