Lately I’ve been feeling extremely grateful and humbled by all the women who have followed me on this journey. Especially for those who have reached out to share their own stories and how my story made a difference in theirs. That’s what inspired this blog post.
This post is dedicated to the women who are considering starting this journey, to the women who are trying to find their way and to the women who are fighting the odds in the big world of tech.
I’ve been there, every single stage. I’ve been the one considering switching to tech while on a different career path. I’ve been the one trying to find her way in the field. And I’ve been the one fighting and beating the odds. It wasn’t easy but I’m here to tell you that just because it’s not easy, it does not mean you don’t belong here.
To The Ones Starting Out
If you are considering switching to tech or you’re barely starting out your tech journey, I want you to know that there is a reason why the tech world pays so well. You will have to work for it. These jobs are given to those who didn’t give up, who stayed up late studying, who asked for help when needed, who didn’t let rejection stop them and those who made sure they learned and fully understood everything every. step. of. the. way.
It takes 4ish years of dedication for a lifetime of freedom. And I mean all kinds of freedom – financial freedom, time off freedom, work-from-anywhere freedom.
If you’ve been with me since the beginning you’ll know that my journey was not a walk in the park. I hit many bumps on my way to where I am today. I was heartbroken when I was rejected at Microsoft but then I was offered an even bigger and better opportunity at Meta. Also, have I told you how many times I applied at Disney until I finally got an interview? I’ll just say it was more than 5 times 🙂 Rejection is only part of the journey, don’t let it stop you. You got this!
To The Ones With Obstacles
I recently got a call from a friend studying computer science asking for some advice. She got an offer for a summer internship (yay!) but she was considering not taking it because if she left her current job to take the internship, she wouldn’t have a job when she returned after the summer and she needed the money to pay for school. My response to her was my college income journey:
During my college career, I had about 6+ jobs. I started with a minimum wage job at an insurance firm + commissions. When I got my first internship, I made $30+ an hour for a summer. When I returned home after the summer, I had the choice of returning to the insurance firm or starting a new job at the university as an Instructional Assistant for computer science courses (great resume opportunity!). They both paid minimum but the insurance firm offered commissions. I also had bills to pay.
What do you think I did?
Well… I picked the university job. Can you guess why?
As a student, my mindset was always what is the best decision for my future? Because that’s what you’re doing as a student, right? Working for your future.
If I asked myself, what is better for me now? I would’ve taken the insurance job, not gotten experience working for the university, not added any useful or professional experience to my resume and not gotten invited to the conference where I met my Facebook recruiter. I would’ve missed all of it.
But, I made the choice that was better for my future and I took the university job where I made minimum wage for a semester. The new experience I added to my resume led me to my second internship where I made $35+ an hour and it was only up from there… to many other opportunities all the way to my first full time job making 6 figures.
Now the big question is, how can someone pay for school on minimum wage? That’s not likely and I’m not suggesting that anyone puts themselves through that. What I’m saying is that this career path is so worth it.
I took out loans to pay for school.. but fun fact – the debt that I graduated with was not even 1/4 of my sign-on bonus at Meta. I put in the work and the determination knowing that when I came out on the other side, it would all be worth it. If I can promise you anything, it’s that this career will make all the struggles completely worth it.
So really… there are no obstacles. The only obstacles are the ones you are setting up for yourself. Make the decision that is best for your future and believe in yourself 110%.
To The Ones Trying To Find Their Way
As a women in tech, you will feel that you don’t belong. Imagine a room full of white sheep and you’re the only pink one. Of course you’re going to feel a strong sense of estrangement but that doesn’t mean you’re not meant to be there. You will face rejection but that doesn’t mean you’re not worth it. Imposter syndrome is very likely to happen, especially as a minority. I know this all sounds like no fun and you’re probably thinking why are you stating all the negatives? I’m taking the time to tell you what’s likely to happen and that it is completely normal.
It’s normal to feel like the only pink/black/purple/etc sheep in the room! There’s a reason why you’re there. If you’re feeling like you can’t find your way in tech, I’m here to tell you that you already did. If you are sitting in a room surrounded by men, you’re in the right room. If you’re being interviewed by men, they would be lucky to have you so go into that interview believing that. We need more women perspectives and more women leaders. We need you 💜
I believe in every single one of you!!
If you’re a woman in tech, send me a note! I’d love to hear from you.
XO,
Paola Terrazas
