Scilence S2: 79 Computer Engineering & LIVE BETTER

My guest this week has been in technology for over 20 years, and as a result has seen a lot of change, panic and progress over the years - Y2K being an example of this.  Her career has changed largely because hardware has evolved too. 

Despite championing the positive impacts of technology, my guest hopes that it doesn't take over our lives. Back in her day, women were not in STEM subjects, there were either males or non-males, so she was pretty trailblazing in attending an all-girls technical college.  She learned so much, including that girls could do anything. 

This college was the place to smash through all stereotypes, because they all had to muck-in.   In her experience, girls get far more affected by stereotyping, where we keep having to prove ourselves so much more because there are so few places for us. 

My guest was raised with the message that girls can do anything boys can do, and hence she wanted a career where she could create something of her own.  She wanted to cross-pollinate interests and challenge the norms.  She is a real problem-solver and has always had a high level of self-esteem. 

She discusses the predicaments women face after childbirth when returning to work.  Her experience has been that women often come back to work ever more focussed.  Thankfully, she is witnessing that younger generations will not grow up with archaic stereotypes, and there are more and more role models these days, so things are getting better.  She talks about her supportive partner and how instrumental he has been to her career path. 

The higher you go in seniority, the more you realise how much you don’t know.  Self-doubt seems to be a necessary tool for advancement and there is nothing wrong with it, we just need to be mindful not to identify with it. 

It is important for her to set the right examples for her daughter.  My guest believes you are born the day your baby is born.  We also discuss having it all and she describes her purpose as being, to live better than she did the day before.