Wisconsin Tech Month Podcast Series

This episode highlights the inspiring journey of Lillian Zhou, an IT program manager at Uline, as she shares her experiences and insights as a woman in the tech industry. Lillian discusses how her career began in engineering within a manufacturing facility and evolved into the tech space, driven by a desire to broaden her experience and embrace new challenges. She emphasizes the importance of passion in one’s work and encourages listeners to pursue what they love. Lillian also shares valuable advice for those entering the tech field, including the significance of taking on new assignments, giving grace to others, and helping each other grow through mentorship. Her journey illustrates the profound impact of diversity and collaboration in driving innovation within the tech landscape.

Takeaways:

1. Lillian emphasizes the importance of following your passions and loving what you do.
2. Taking on new assignments can provide valuable experiences and help you grow professionally.
3. Diversity and respect in the workplace are crucial for fostering a positive environment.
4. Mentorship and coaching others can significantly impact the growth of individuals in tech.
5. Understanding personal journeys and giving grace to colleagues enhances teamwork and collaboration.
6. Working with talented individuals in tech inspires innovation and problem-solving every day.

Shravi Gopu discusses the importance of problem-solving and the diverse opportunities available in tech beyond just programming, highlighting roles such as user experience design and project management. Shravi reflects on her experiences as one of the few women in her engineering classes and emphasizes the supportive environment at Uline, where initiatives like women in IT foster mentorship and collaboration. She also shares her recent successes as she transitions into an IT project manager role, demonstrating the positive impact of hard work and passion in career growth. Listeners will gain valuable insights into entering the tech field, the significance of curiosity, and the importance of finding a fulfilling career path that brings joy and satisfaction.

Takeaways:

1. Shravi emphasizes the importance of problem-solving skills in pursuing a tech career.
2. Working in tech offers diverse roles beyond programming, which appeals to various skillsets.
3. Uline's women in tech program provides mentorship and support for women in the industry.
4. Being curious and finding a passion are vital for success in the tech field.
5. Shravi encourages women to connect and seek support through platforms like LinkedIn.

Karen Renee shares her personal experiences of overcoming initial doubts about her role in the tech space and how she has grown to thrive in it. She notes that women are becoming vital contributors to technology, inspiring future generations of girls to pursue careers in this area. The support from local communities, particularly in Milwaukee, plays a crucial role in fostering this growth, creating an environment where women can share their challenges and successes. Karen’s insights reflect a broader societal shift, where technology is no longer seen as an exclusive domain for men, but as a collaborative field where women can excel and lead.

Takeaways:

1. Karen emphasizes the need to be patient in the tech development process.
2. Creating a solution to a real problem in the legal industry can drive innovation.
3. Women in tech are increasingly supported by communities, which fosters growth and collaboration.
4. Karen reflects on her unexpected journey into the tech industry with enthusiasm.
5. Success in tech often comes from recognizing a market need and addressing it effectively.

Sam Billetdeaux shares her inspiring journey in the tech industry, highlighting the unique challenges and successes she has faced as a woman in electrical engineering. With only 13% to 15% of undergraduate electrical engineers being women, she discusses the importance of finding a supportive company culture, which she found at Milwaukee Tool. Sam reflects on her experiences balancing work and motherhood, emphasizing that her ability to adapt and redefine her normal has been a key to her success. She also underscores the excitement of tackling new challenges in tech and the satisfaction that comes from solving complex problems.

Takeaways:

1. Sam highlights the importance of supportive company culture for women in tech.
2. Reflecting on personal growth is essential for recognizing accomplishments in one's career journey.
3. Women in electrical engineering face unique challenges but can drive innovation through their perspectives.
4. Balancing work and motherhood can be challenging, yet it's a significant success for women professionals.
5. Leadership roles in tech allow individuals to coach and support their teams through challenges.
6. Constant challenges in tech keep the work engaging and foster continuous learning and development.

Jinxia Li shares her journey in the tech industry, starting from her early education in material science and engineering in China. She highlights the challenges of being one of the few women in her field, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and setting clear career goals. Her experience as a metallurgist at Milwaukee Tool showcases her accomplishments in managing a lab that supports over a thousand engineers and her commitment to improving processes and safety.

Takeaways:

1. The journey of women in tech often starts with education and overcoming fierce competition.
2. Empathy and attention to detail are unique strengths that women bring to the tech industry.
3. Finding one's core values and setting clear career goals is crucial for success.
4. Technical skills are important, but soft skills like emotional intelligence are equally vital.
5. The tech industry is constantly evolving, encouraging a mindset of continuous learning and humility.
6. Completing significant goals in a technical role builds confidence and capability for future challenges.

Dr. Xochitl's journey through the tech landscape offers a rich narrative filled with insights and inspiration for women navigating similar paths. She began her career in a corporate setting, where her role primarily entailed tech operations and administrative functions. It was here that she developed an innate curiosity about technology and its processes, leading her to ask pivotal questions about the systems she encountered. This curiosity served as the catalyst for her transition into a more technology-focused role at Northwestern Mutual, where she initially struggled with her self-identification as a woman in tech due to her non-engineering background. However, her peers encouraged her to embrace her tech-savvy nature, marking the beginning of a significant shift in her professional identity.

Takeaways:

1. Dr. Xochitl emphasizes the importance of curiosity and asking questions in tech careers.
2. Her unique journey illustrates that one doesn't need a technical background to succeed in tech.
3. She highlights the challenges of understanding technical language and the power of learning.
4. The tech industry offers opportunities for women, and more women are entering the field.
5. Embracing new technologies can lead to improved efficiency and team success in operations.
6. Dr. Xochitl encourages newcomers to be comfortable with discomfort as a path to innovation.

Catina Zautner's narrative is a testament to the evolving role of women in the tech industry. She shares her personal journey, which began at a law firm and has continued through various roles in IT, showcasing how her early interest in technology laid the groundwork for her career. Catina’s story is particularly poignant as she reflects on her childhood experiences with computers at school, where her curiosity often went unrecognized by her peers and teachers. This early drive to engage with technology set her on a path filled with challenges, particularly as a woman in a field that has historically been male-dominated.

Takeaways:

1. Catina Zautner's journey in tech began in childhood, driven by curiosity about computers.
2. Despite challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field, Katina persevered and succeeded.
3. Exploring the vast opportunities in tech beyond just programming is essential for newcomers.
4. Soft skills are as critical as technical skills in navigating a successful tech career.
5. Catina emphasizes the importance of proving one's capabilities, especially as a woman leader.
6. Connecting with others in the tech community can provide invaluable support and learning opportunities.

This podcast episode highlights the inspiring journey of Bella Zamborini, who navigated the tech industry, starting from her unexpected entry into the field due to her father's encouragement. As a first-generation immigrant, she transitioned from aspiring piano performer to a tech professional, sharing her experiences as one of the few women in her computer science classes. Throughout the conversation, she reflects on the challenges and surprises she faced, particularly regarding stereotypes and assumptions about women in technology. Despite these hurdles, she expresses excitement about the rapid growth of technology, particularly in AI, and encourages newcomers to embrace risk and innovation in their careers. The episode concludes with her advice for aspiring tech professionals to become experts in emerging technologies to stay relevant in a constantly evolving industry.

Takeaways:

1. Bella Zamborini shares her journey into tech, which was influenced by her father's encouragement and the rising importance of computers.
2. Despite being the only female in many of her classes, she felt comfortable pursuing her passion for technology.
3. Surprises rather than challenges defined her experiences as a woman in tech, encountering dated stereotypes and assumptions along the way.
4. Bella expresses excitement about the rapid advancements in technology, particularly in AI and automation, and its implications for the future.
5. For newcomers to tech, Bella's advice is to embrace riskier technologies that have potential for growth and innovation.

Sowmya Tiramdasu’s narrative in the Women in Tech podcast encapsulates the essence of perseverance and empowerment in the tech industry. From her early days as an undergraduate student fascinated by programming to her role as a software developer at Infosys, Sowmya’s journey is marked by determination and adaptability. She shares the pivotal moment when her interest in programming blossomed through a final year project in Java, which ultimately set her on a path toward a successful career in IT.

Takeaways:

1. The podcast highlights women in tech, celebrating their journeys and the impact they create.
2. Sowmya's journey began with an interest in programming during her undergraduate studies.
3. Navigating cultural differences was a significant challenge for Soumya when moving to the US.
4. Confidence and seeking help are crucial for those entering the tech field today.
5. The tech industry is ever-evolving, providing constant learning and opportunities for growth.
6. Sowmya emphasizes the importance of standing tall in male-dominated environments during meetings.

This episode highlights the inspiring journey of Kaitlyn Wright, who transitioned from being a social studies teacher to the Technology Director at Seeds of Health, an organization dedicated to education. She shares her experiences and challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field, where she often faced assumptions about her capabilities based on her age and gender. Despite these obstacles, she emphasizes the strong support she receives from her organization, which was founded and is led by women. The conversation also delves into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, showcasing how her proactive professional development initiatives prepared her staff to adapt quickly to virtual learning. Ultimately, she advocates for continuous learning and encourages women to confidently share their ideas and take up space in the tech industry.

Takeaways:

1. The journey into technology can be unconventional, starting from a non-tech background like education.
2. Supporting staff through professional development is crucial for adapting to technological changes.
3. Women in technology often face challenges of being underestimated or mistaken for support roles.
4. Embracing change and continuous learning are essential skills for success in tech careers.
5. Real-world experiences, such as the COVID-19 shutdown, can accelerate tech adaptation for educators.
6. Creating engaging professional development initiatives can empower educators to effectively use technology.