What’s it like being a woman in tech? We know that employment in the tech industry has historically been skewed toward the male end of spectrum; we know that is improving; and we know that progress is gradual (more gradual than we’d like). But what draws some women to work in the tech world and what’s it like for them?
We’ve interviewed three tech professionals who know from experience what it’s like to be a woman in tech.
Bara’a Hussein is a UX/UI designer from Palestine, Laura Gieco is a UX/UI designer from Australia, and Sonia Karungi is a software engineer from Uganda. All three are part of our community of mentors, tutors, and graduates; they bring a wealth of experience and insight into the field. Here’s what they had to say!
1. Can you share a little about yourself and what you do?
Bara’a: I am a UX/UI designer who is enthusiastic about the information architecture and the research field. I had worked as a systems analyst before I [got my start] in the UX design world three years ago. Currently and during my free time, I am volunteering at a Palestinian association for charity, where I work with a team to prepare charity campaigns. I work as a full-time UX/UI designer and part-time as CareerFoundry UX design tutor.
Laura G.: I’m a software engineer turned UX designer with a focus on interaction and visual design. I’m also a new mum, so my days at the moment are anything but typical! Life is a juggling act of being a mum and working as a software engineer while also doing some freelance work as a UX/UI designer to gain commercial experience in this field.
Sonia: I am a software engineer in love with JavaScript. I mainly focus on frontend development and when needed I will develop for the backend too. I have been an active software developer for 5 years now.
2. What inspired you to pursue this particular career path? How did you get into your current field?
Bara’a: Beginning my studies in computer science was only the start of my journey. During my studies I learned a lot about the interactions between humans and computers, which made me eager to know more about this topic. Right after my graduation, I started my professional life in data entry, then system analysis, and after that, I ended up in marketing, management, and software engineering.
I started with learning UX Design when I learned about UX design, I felt that I had finally found my way to explore my passion. Human behavior and research have always inspired me. During my journey, I gained strong analytical skills that enabled me to offer smart user services. Analyzing problems and creating creative solutions are at the core of my passion for the UX design field.
Laura G.: I’ve been working in the software development industry for 15 years now. The essential part of building software is deciding what to build, and for that, you need to work closely with your users to understand their problems and come up with solutions. But it wasn’t until I worked as an on-site support engineer in our customers’ offices that my perspective changed.
I started to see issues from their point of view, experiencing their pain points and understanding their actual needs. I realized the value of involving users early and often in the process of solving problems. This led me to the field of user experience design, where I found that user-centred approach that I was looking for.
Sonia: Since high school, I have always wanted to work as a software engineer. I loved mathematics so much, I couldn’t see any other path for me. However, my family convinced me that telecommunication engineering was a much better career path and that’s how I ended up doing a BSc. Telecommunication Engineering. After 2 years of this bachelors program, I decided to take charge of my life, dropped out, and began a career in computer science. During my time at school, I fell in love with JavaScript and honestly, I have never looked back.
3. What’s it like being a woman working in the tech world? Does it come with any particular challenges?
Bara’a: The biggest challenge I faced was the closed-minded people around me, starting from family where they opposed, at the beginning, my decision to joining this field because it is a man-dominated major and they thought that as a woman I will never have a chance to compete. Though, this made me feel and realize that I had to prove myself for my family and the people around me by working times harder than a man could ever do. Throughout my career, I had the opportunity to work with many great people who encouraged and inspired me. Eventually, I proved it to everyone who worked with me that women can be as good as men in this industry and it’s all about dedication and hard work.
Laura G.: In the beginning, the biggest challenge for me was to overcome gender stereotypes because it made me feel I had to prove myself time and again. It puzzled me why some narrow-minded people would think someone is more or less capable based on their gender. Despite that, I’m thankful that throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many great people who encouraged me and inspired me.
Sonia: At the beginning of my career, it was quite hard for a woman to break into the tech world. Starting from friends, family and acquaintances who will constantly discourage me from joining this field because it is a man’s world to clients who think women can’t deliver work at the same or even better quality compared to men. However, I had to be resilient in all of this and eventually, I proved it to everyone that women can be just as good or even better than men in this industry.
4. What do you really enjoy or appreciate about being a woman in tech?
Bara’a: By sharing my success story and experiences in the tech field this made me feel the importance of being a role model for the future generation. I always try to make them realize their real passion and push them to find their own path to develop their skills. So far two female fellows from my university have already embarked on the UX design field because of the conversations we’ve had. This even pushes me harder to do what I do and makes me more determined to sculpt my success.
Laura G.: I enjoy encouraging other women to consider a career in tech, sharing my story, and chatting about the different career opportunities in the field. Thanks to people speaking up, negative stereotypes are starting to vanish, and I can’t wait for a future where gender isn’t an issue anymore.
Sonia: What I enjoy most being a woman in tech is inspiring other young women to join the tech field. I meet so many young women who are very interested in joining the tech world however, due to the societal constraints, they have nurtured fear for the tech world. When I meet such women, it is always my pleasure to help them realise that learning is gender indifferent and all it takes is passion and a growth mindset. So far around seven women have already embarked on this journey because of the conversations we have had. This makes me enjoy what I do.
5. What advice would you give to another woman looking to start a career in tech?
Bara’a: I strongly believe that learning is a gender invariant process, it is more about personal interests, passion, and intellectual backgrounds. Any gender-related stereotype about learning is simply not real. However, society could severely affect the person’s perspective, and affect the way they see themselves as active individuals in a certain society. All it takes to learn is real passion and courage to pursue a goal. Getting involved right away is the shortest path to learn. Always try to get involved without hesitation with industry specialists or any person/community that you believe could reinforce your understanding of the field.
Laura G.: Get involved in local meetups for UX/UI design or free coding workshops; many are targeted to women. That way, you can ask questions and connect with people in the industry who can mentor and help you in your journey. Tech is very exciting and has so many amazing applications!
Sonia: Learning doesn’t care about gender, all it takes is passion and a growth mindset. Nothing is the limit. Never be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something. Don’t be intimidated by those who seem to know more than you instead, leverage their knowledge to help you learn more. One of the nice things about engineering is that you can usually prove an idea is better by building it. Don’t be afraid to ignore nay-sayers and just go for it!
About the author
Emerson Schroeter
Emerson is a Berlin-based UX writer, plant dad, and cat servant. As a Senior UX Writer at HelloFresh, they're obsessed with inclusive and accessible design and spend (part of) their free time conspiring with Better Standards Club to find new ways to help other people raise their design standards.