Last week, I attended General Assembly’s Women in Tech breakfast. They hosted four powerhouse women panelists with a wide range of experience in the tech industry:
Lisa Ammerman of CNN
Beth Laing of CNN and Women Who Code
Caroline Ervin of the podcast Stuff Mom Never Told You
Nicole Baez of SapientNitro
Each panelist had a ton of helpful advice to share. Here are some of my key takeaways:
- From Nicole: Don’t stay in any workplace that won’t let you shine. A supportive workplace is one that encourages you to share your ideas and connect with everyone – even the higher ups.
- From Caroline: Be pushy, and screw the haters. Women are often taught not to negotiate, but to be grateful for what we get. Caroline learned the hard way that if you don’t ask for what you want, you won’t get it. If an employer is uncomfortable engaging in a negotiation, get out of there.
- From Nicole: When considering a new company, take a look at the company’s maternity policy. Whether or not you plan on using it, the policy is a reflection on how the company values their women employees.
- From Lisa: Don’t just accept a job to fill a line on your resume. You’re better than your resume. You can find an awesome employer that respects you – don’t just settle.
- From Nicole: Follow your curiosity. If you keep going after what interests you, you’ll always find interesting work.
- From Beth: Even if you wonder why you were hired for a certain position, trust that you should be there. The tech industry found Beth when she filled in for a colleague who wasn’t available. She realized she had a strong interest in the tech side of her work and was later hired as a developer. She didn’t feel qualified for the new position, but she later realized that everyone in the workforce is learning as they go. There’s no need to question whether or not you belong – you do.
- From Caroline: If a boss offers criticism, ask for more details. The criticism may be constructive, or it may be coming from someplace else… she told a story of a supervisor who pulled her aside to say she was too “chatty.” At the time, she didn’t know what this meant or how to respond. She has since founded an incredible and well-received podcast, so the “chattiness” paid off, but when she reflects on this moment, she realizes there was inherent sexism in the criticism. (“Chatty” is a gendered word and dismissive of Caroline’s contributions to the workplace.)
- From Beth: Find a work environment where you can ask questions. This takes the pressure off feeling like you have to do everything on your own.
The breakfast ended with breakout sessions about self-promotion and work-life balance. It was awesome to spend time with a group of brilliant women making waves in all parts of the Atlanta tech scene.
Were you at the breakfast or have you attended a similar event? What were your takeaways?
