In Symph, we always believe in diversity and inclusion. Anyone in our team, no matter what gender, has the opportunity to lead initiatives and are given the opportunity to voice out when need be. Since 2022, 13 new women have joined our team. For International Women's month, we are here to introduce some of these influential women, what they do, their experience being a woman in tech, and their advice on how to continue being empowered.
What originally drew you to a career in tech? How has the landscape changed for women in tech since you started your career?
Everything started in Friendster. Back when I was still in Grade 5 - 6 I would spend a lot of time in Friendster and would always look for themes that would add a little ✨ pizzaz ✨ to my profile. There was one theme that I found that I liked but not satisfied with, so I started playing around with the code that they have provided. The next thing I knew, I was there for hours on end trying to alter the theme to my liking. CSS was somewhat easy to understand because it’s pretty straightforward if I wanted to change fonts and colors, it felt like I was creating something new and amazing. It was at that moment that I knew that I wanted to have a career in coding and wanted to pursue tech and to make more products like that whether to code or to manage it.
What are some of the positive changes you have seen in making tech a more diverse and inclusive field for women in recent years? What further progress still needs to be made?
Having women in tech has played a huge impact on how we develop solutions that help our society. We can give a whole new perspective on how a certain demographic might use and think about an app or a website. Having it more diverse and inclusive means we get to hear more insights, more feedback, more creative ideas on how we could build something innovative yet impactful to society.
Though there is still a visible gender gap between men vs. women in tech, I think with the right amount of influence and visibility we can break this gap. Have more women-led communities, have more representation in social media, showcase how amazing being a woman in tech is in TV shows and movies. Most importantly, women should not be highlighted just this month, but of all months in the year 😉
What originally drew you to a career in tech? How has the landscape changed for women in tech since you started your career?
As a child, I never saw myself working in tech. But witnessing how deeply digital solutions impact our lives sparked my interest in design and how people interact with technology. And it was actually when I was attending an event featuring women UX designers that allowed me to envision myself on a similar path. And as I've met and worked with more women in the industry since then, it's become way less daunting being in this male-dominated space. Having other women around just empowers me to keep going.
What advice would you give to young women and girls interested in pursuing a tech career today?
My advice to young women and girls interested in pursuing a tech career today is to have GUTS. Embrace your passion with determination and resilience. Don't let gender stereotypes hold you back. Always be UP for constant learning, as the tech industry is ever-evolving. Believe in yourself, seek mentors, and don't be afraid to chase your dreams.
What does being a woman in tech mean to you? How do you help lift up other women and make it more inclusive too?
Being a woman in tech means breaking stereotypes and bringing diverse perspectives to the table. It's about challenging norms, embracing innovation, and making valuable contributions to the ever-evolving tech landscape.
I lift up other women in tech by offering mentorship, networking opportunities, and support for skill development. I advocate for inclusive hiring and diverse representation. By fostering a supportive culture, I aim to ensure all women feel valued and empowered in their tech careers.
What are you most proud of when it comes to your career and achievements so far?
I'm proud to be a part of a company with a healthier working environment, where inclusivity is not just a goal but a reality, ensuring everyone feels valued and respected regardless of their background. I'm also proud of my ability to be of help to everyone on the team. Furthermore, my career in this company has given me an opportunity to gain insights into how fast technology is evolving. I appreciate our initiative to adapt to these changes, which encourages everyone's involvement, including someone like me from a finance background.
Who has been your biggest mentor or inspiration? How did they impact your career path?
The person who has had the most profound impact on my professional journey is my former CEO. As my first guide in the IT industry, she played a crucial role in shaping my career. Her influence was particularly significant in helping me develop the confidence to lead my team in a male-dominated field. She showed me the intricacies of the job and never once made me feel that this profession was solely meant for men. She was the first person in my work environment who genuinely believed in my abilities and entrusted me with responsibilities that, at the time, I thought were beyond my capabilities. Having a female CEO left an indelible mark on my self-assurance, teaching me how to strike a balance between objectivity and compassion in my leadership approach.
What advice would you give to young women and girls interested in pursuing a tech career today?
My recommendation to young women and girls is to embrace any valuable opportunities that come their way, regardless of the field they are in. It's essential to be bold and willing to take risks. However, to mitigate fear and build confidence, it's crucial to always be well-prepared and equipped with the necessary knowledge. By having a solid foundation of information and understanding, you'll be able to effectively respond to challenges, contribute your own insights, and make informed decisions. Remember, knowledge is power, and it will enable you to seize opportunities and navigate your chosen path with greater assurance.
What advice would you give to young women and girls interested in pursuing a tech career today?
To the young girls and women eyeing a tech career, the field is ripe with opportunities for fresh perspectives like yours. While male-dominated in the past, the tides are turning, and your problem-solving skills, creativity, and tenacity are in high demand. Don't be afraid to ask questions, seek help when needed, or try learning new things - a growth mindset is crucial. Seek out mentors, immerse yourself in hands-on experiences, and above all, believe in your abilities. The journey may present challenges, but stay curious, resilient, and authentic to who you are. I'm still navigating my own tech path, learning every day. But remember, you are enough. The future of innovation depends on brilliant, confident minds like yours reshaping it.
What are some of the positive changes you have seen in making tech a more diverse and inclusive field for women in recent years? What further progress still needs to be made?
While tech companies have made strides in recruiting and promoting women into technical roles through diversity efforts, a glaring disparity still exists in propelling women into leadership positions. Despite the rise of inspiring female tech pioneers, women remain vastly underrepresented in executive and management roles. To rectify this, companies must implement comprehensive leadership development, mentorship, sponsorship programs and foster truly inclusive cultures that embrace work-life balance and allyship. Empowering women with negotiation skills, career coaching, and public speaking training is also crucial.
Ultimately, the goal is to make having women in technical leadership roles the norm rather than the exception - an achievement that would signal we've created an equitable, inclusive workplace where advancement is based solely on expertise and merit, not gender. Reaching this point demands a multi-pronged approach combining top-down organizational initiatives with grassroots empowerment
What does being a woman in tech mean to you? How do you help lift up other women and make it more inclusive too?
Being a woman in tech for me means that I have to try a lot harder to keep a good balance between the masculine traits that might be required to thrive in the industry and my womanhood. I’m pretty new in the tech industry but it’s always given me an impression that it was a male-dominated industry. The industry, I feel, is very much associated with stereotypical masculine characteristics like logical thinking, being bold, etc. These are traits that come a bit natural for me, probably because of my upbringing. So I’ve never really thought of these as masculine, but more that I thought of these as powerful traits to have. So being a woman in tech doesn’t mean that I sacrifice my feminine traits in order to have a place here, but rather I really believe in having a balance of my masculine and feminine traits. There will be situations that call for more of the (stereotypical) masculine traits where I have to be logical, I have to be strong, and I have to be bold.
But there will also, inevitably, be situations where I have to be in touch with my emotions, where I have to be understanding toward other people, and perhaps even be more maternal. And I feel this balance doesn’t only apply for women, but most admirable male leaders I know also exude this balance between masculine and feminine traits. So I guess my way of helping lift up other women is to be a strong woman myself and lead by example - that being bold, or outspoken, or rational doesn’t mean that we become less of a woman, or that traits like having emotions isn’t a weakness - but that these traits can be a way to become a better and stronger woman.
What advice would you give to young women and girls interested in pursuing a tech career today?
Don't be afraid to pursue whatever you want, not just in tech but in life in general. Explore! There are so many areas in tech; see what piques your interest. Don't let stereotypes discourage you. I believe that technology should be a field where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Most importantly, don't forget to celebrate your accomplishments, even small wins. It can propel you into an upward spiral.
What advice would you give to young women and girls interested in pursuing a tech career today?
To all young women and girls interested in pursuing a tech career today, never doubt your ability to contribute significantly to the field of technology. If you really love what you do, embrace it. Seek mentors who can help you, join tech communities, and never stop learning. Remember, when you join the world of tech, it's not just about coding, but solving problems, innovating, and making a difference in the community with the help of technology. As a woman, do not be intimidated by the predominance of men in the tech industry. Use it as a stepping stone; the perspective you have as a woman is invaluable in creating diverse and inclusive solutions.
What are you most proud of when it comes to your career and achievements so far?
I'm most proud of immersing myself in the world of start-up, which exemplifies how technology can be used to address social challenges and improve lives. This immersion, along with my role in founding the Google Developer Student Clubs in University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, showcases my commitment to leveraging tech for community betterment. Seeing the tangible impact in the community and inspiring others to take leadership roles in their community has been incredibly rewarding.
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These women in Symph help shape the company. Cultivating an inclusive culture where all team members feel empowered to lend their voices and talents is important to us. Together, let us continue to celebrate Women’s Month and diversity as well.Love, change, hack with us. Learn more about us.
