I have had the privilege of working in the tech field for the last ten years. This journey has come with a lot of ups and downs while teaching me valuable lessons. I started out struggling to get and keep a job as a contractor, living in an overpopulated city, where there are more people than jobs available.
Now I landed a stable gig that allowed me to move to another state where the quality of living is better and they appreciate and "hold-onto" their techs. New York City is still the epicenter for the most sought-after tech jobs, I didn't get any traction in this industry until I took a job out of state.
I stumbled upon this industry back in 2013, after studying business in trade school. Once I learned that the skills taught would prepare me to be a receptionist/ secretary at best, I had to make a decision about what I was going to do next before I completed that program. I had previous employment as a secretary/ receptionist prior to entering that program, so imagine the time I would be wasting if I had gone straight home after completing that program.
That realization is why I chose to go to an advanced training tech program. I figured that was the closest transition I could make from my original field of study. I had no idea what to expect, but anything had to be better than being a receptionist. (No offense).
When I arrived at the program, I noticed I was one of three girls in a large sea of boys. Little did I know that this ratio would follow me through the early stages of my career. It wasn't easy being in the minority population of people, essentially paving the way for the others coming behind you.
My technical knowledge and ability was constantly questioned, patronized, and ignored; while constantly having to prove myself as a valuable resource in this field.
It used to frustrate me having to deal with the mix of condescending and fragile egos stemming from people who had nothing else to hold onto but this false sense of superiority. I learned quickly that if I was going to survive in this field, I had to be smart and strategic about how I handled them.
Since I have successfully traversed those hostile environments while gaining my experience through trials and errors; I'd like to give some tips on how to go about navigating a field that you're the minority in, while just starting out and still having a lot to learn.
Don't take anything personally
As I mentioned prior, I had to deal with my fair share of sarcasm, attitude, annoyance, and insecurity from different colleagues, from all walks of life. I stopped getting upset by it once I realized that their discomfort towards me, was due to them being unsuccessful and unfulfilled with their life.
Instead of them using that energy to better themselves, they'd rather spread their internal suffering to other people. That lack of priority is why they are where they are in their life. Laugh at them and move on. I can speak from experience, those people never progress any further than where you met them.
Learn something new every day:
Despite my rough start, I did find some people who were overjoyed and excited to have more women working in their department. They welcomed and embraced the change. Those are the ones who you should network with. Have conversations with them and pick their brain.
Find out how much they know about the field they are employed in and add them to an ever-growing list of resources that you can learn from. I have work friends to this day that I still reach out to and pick their brains. We challenge each other's perspectives and learn new things from each other each time we talk. It's a great feeling.
Always keep your eyes for opportunities open
My first tech job wasn't ideal, but it was necessary to get my foot in the door. I learned the art of upward mobility from balancing between working and job searching long enough to transition out. Doing both simultaneously have helped me master my multitasking and time management skills. I've heard the well-known rumor that it's easier to "get a job, when you already have a job".
I used to believe that too until the last transition from my last job to where I am now. While I finished my six-month stint at that contract, I was desperately looking for another opportunity to start working, before the current contract was up.
I took a position I didn't initially want (it was in another state) but time was winding down and I didn't have any more time to be picky. I don't think it's easier to find work, while already employed, it's that you don't notice how long you've been looking since, there's less urgency to find work.
Build your networks
The best part about starting out as a contractor is you get the chance to work in several different environments. The downside is, you're more vulnerable to the volatility of the tech market affecting you negatively.
Contractors are often the last hired and first fired during any economic downturns as well as, not always given working benefits comparable to what full-time employee's get. Being a contractor gives you the chance to build your references and contacts list while traversing different job roles. Through the many environments I've worked in, I have collectively kept in contact with 40% of my former colleagues.
Whether through Linked in, facebook, Instagram, direct number exchange, I was able to utilize them as references and I was often called on to be a reference and a referral for them. I have been offered jobs through that network and have had doors open for me more easily because of my rapport with them.
Expand your skillset:
This goes for any industry you are employed in. No matter if your still a novice in your field, recently changed careers or are a subject matter expert featured in publications; always expanding your skillset will pay off majorly in the long-run.
Challenge yourself to keep learning about the different aspects of your field. Even if it's something you're not interested in, become familiar enough with it, to be able to explain it to someone else who might be interested in it.
Doing this, will keep you in a valuable and marketable enough position, where you control your next move. Who knows you might discover something else that peaks you're interest, and is worth pursuing. In which case I'd say Go for it!
I still employ these tips to this day and it has allowed me to not only remain in a job that I love, at a company that valued and fought to keep me; But to enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the smiles and ease of anxiety of the people I help everyday.
The stability here, afforded me the chance to fully explore and expand my skillset to other areas within the tech field. While I am still deciding where I'm going next from here, I am grateful for the opportunity to be in a position where I am truly in control of what happens next. It's an incredible feeling.
