By: Jaime Brown

Technology, while constantly trending in the right direction, is still known as a male-dominated industry. This can be intimidating for women and can discourage them from making a career change.

(source: https://builtin.com/women-tech/women-in-tech-workplace-statistics)

A little over five years ago, I was sitting at my previous job making phone calls, creating quotes, and closing deals as a Sales Representative. I was comfortable there. I knew what I had to do, I knew how to do it, and I was good at it. While this was a nice job to have, it wasn’t a fulfilling career for me. I wanted a career that would challenge me to grow and give me the opportunity to make an impact. I decided it was time for a career change and took a chance.

As I switched my career to the tech space I knew I would face challenges. I understood that I needed to do the extra homework to learn the necessary skills. To grow, I needed to work harder and gain confidence.

Having confidence in yourself is the first step. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. I took the time to work on my weaknesses and improve. As a woman in the tech industry, you need to prove your abilities before others will trust you can get the job done. Unfortunately, many people don’t take your word for it.

Women were 22% more likely to experience “Imposter Syndrome” in the workplace (the overwhelming feeling of being out of place compared to colleagues)

Was it scary? Absolutely! Change is always scary and so is the unknown. But if you are willing to put the work in, it is absolutely worth it. Another important piece is finding the right company for this change. Finding a company that is supportive, encourages growth, and wants to hear from everyone is vital. That is what I love about Appluent: the support system there is always welcoming and fosters a growing atmosphere.

I’m at a point in my career where work does not feel like work. I can confidently say I don’t have ‘The Sunday Scaries’ that many people complain about, dreading Monday. I love what I do and look forward to each and every week. At Appluent, my opinion is heard and I feel like my work here actually makes a positive impact.

If you decide to make a career change, speak up and set goals for yourself. The tech industry is very large and there is plenty of room for growth. In order to excel, providing value is essential.  If you participate and show your value, you will be appreciated, recognized and ultimately end up where you belong. 

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” – Steve Jobs