From developer to instructor and DevRel: navigating roles as as a woman in the tech industry

After her work was publicly credited to male colleagues, she changed her career path. Her 20-year journey reveals the power of community and finding your voice.

#1about 4 minutes

An overview of a career from data science to DevRel

The speaker outlines her journey through technical roles in geospatial tech and open source before transitioning into mixed roles involving community and education.

#2about 9 minutes

Navigating the challenges of being a woman in tech

Women in technical roles often face a lack of promotion opportunities and the constant need to prove their skills, which can lead to job hopping and imposter syndrome.

#3about 8 minutes

Why active allyship is more effective than leaning in

An anecdote about being overlooked for her work illustrates how placing the burden on women to "lean in" is less effective than having allies who actively give credit and support.

#4about 3 minutes

How women in leadership actively foster inclusivity

Having women in leadership roles is crucial because they can intentionally change hiring practices and company culture to be more diverse and supportive.

#5about 8 minutes

The importance of safe spaces in tech education

Working at a code school for underrepresented groups highlights the need for safe, non-competitive learning environments where students feel comfortable asking questions and exploring new skills.

#6about 5 minutes

Increasing visibility through community and public speaking

Participating and speaking at general tech conferences, not just "women in tech" panels, is essential for creating visible role models and inspiring others.

#7about 9 minutes

Understanding the role of developer relations

A developer relations professional connects developers with a company's product, such as organizing code sprints for the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) to improve standards.

#8about 5 minutes

Addressing the diversity gap in open source contributions

Despite being supportive environments, many open source projects like OSGeo lack female committers and maintainers, indicating a pipeline problem for technical contributors.

#9about 9 minutes

Final advice on finding an inclusive workplace

To find a sustainable career in tech, it is crucial to interview your potential employer and team to assess whether their culture is genuinely supportive and diverse.