On this fascinating episode of Coffee with Developers, we sat down with Babette Wagner - Senior Software Engineer at Axel Springer - to hear how she first learned to code at 35 and went on to build an incredible career in such a short time. We also hear from Babette about how it feels to be called a role model for other women in tech.
A Unique Path to Software Engineering
Babette Wagner's journey into the tech world is anything but typical. Before embarking on her path as a software engineer, Babette explored various roles, eventually choosing to study software engineering at the age of 35. This non-linear trajectory has informed not only her technical expertise but also her passion for making the industry more inclusive.
“And since then, I do not only write code, but also support causes like empowering women and diversity initiatives at the workplace.”
The Moment of Realisation
Babette says that being thrust into a leadership position when a colleague left the workplace was a defining moment in her career. Faced with a giant, tangled monolith of 7 million lines of legacy code, Babette decided it was time to innovate and modernise.
Transformation Friday: An Innovative Approach
Babette introduced the idea of "Just Do It Fridays," a dedicated time for developers to explore and propose improvements. It was on one of these Fridays that she formulated her vision for modernising their monolithic codebase—a transition to cloud-based microservices that would - in theory - seamlessly migrate 5 million user accounts without user disruption.
Her proactive approach won accolades from her team lead and sparked a successful three-year modernisation project.
Navigating Mentorship and Sponsorship
Babette's journey highlights the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in career growth. While she only had a sponsor briefly, the impact was profound. Anna McDougal, a well-recognized TEDx speaker and Babette’s director, took Babette under her wing, providing invaluable guidance and advocacy.
Building Supportive Relationships
For women aiming to cultivate similar relationships, Babette offers practical advice:
- Self-Assessment: Know your worth and strengths.
- Performance and Visibility: Show your skills through team events and code reviews.
- Seek Sponsors: Identify leaders who would benefit from your success and approach them.
“Trust yourself, and put yourself out there."
Ensuring Genuine Diversity and Inclusion
Aligning with her passion for empowering others, Babette stresses the need for genuine diversity initiatives rather than superficial "pink washing." She advises:
- Resource Allocation: Allocate time and training for diversity such as language training.
- Strategic Goals: Clearly communicate and define diversity goals.
At Axel Springer, her efforts are mirrored by structured strategies to hire internationally, embrace diverse perspectives, and support queer colleagues.
"For me, a key aspect is looking at the resources which are put into that."
Being a Role Model in Tech
Transitioning naturally into a role model, Babette finds it critical to share experiences with emerging talents. She's humble about the recognition, attributing her influence to openly sharing and mentoring others.
Challenges Women Face in Tech
Babette candidly discusses challenges women encounter, often overlooked:
Self-Confidence: Women in tech sometimes struggle with self-assessment compared to their male counterparts.
Visibility: Overcoming not being recognized requires self-promotion and strategic visibility.
Staying True to Oneself
Despite the male-dominated landscape, Babette stays authentic. Describing herself as "an odd duck," she embraces her individuality, bringing her unique energy and creativity to every challenge.
Rewriting the Narrative of Women in Tech
If Babette could craft the headline for women in tech, it would honour pioneers like Ada Lovelace and Hedy Lamarr. Her wish is to highlight the unsung female heroes shaping every technical revolution.
“In the footsteps of Ada and Hady, how women shaped every technical revolution.”
Closing Thoughts
It was a delight having Babette Wagner on Coffee with Developers. Her journey exemplifies resilience, innovation, and the power of authenticity. We hope to hear more transformative stories from her and others illuminating the tech landscape.
Stay tuned for more engaging conversations, and until next time, keep innovating and empowering those around you!
Thank you for joining us, and we look forward to sharing more amazing stories from the tech community soon. If you found Babette's story inspiring, please share this blog with others in your network. Let's create a more inclusive tech world together!
