113 - SheTech the Futures: A Student Lens. The Future is Hers, The Mic Is On.

On this episode, we have Kelcey Cruz, Angela Samboa, Angelyn Viterbo, and Helena Rose Tantongco joining us to discuss "SheTech the Futures: A Student Lens" and the powerful message that the future is hers.

The future is here, and it's hers. In this episode, we're talking about the evolving tech industry and how we can catch up. We'll explore the power in a woman's voice as she navigates corporate politics, and how leading with her light can optimize team work. This is a crucial conversation for young women in tech, offering lessons, advice, and a powerful message of empowerment.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a young woman entering the tech space? (Generalization)

The biggest challenge often involves dealing with unconscious bias or the feeling of having to constantly prove your competence. This can manifest as having your ideas questioned more frequently or facing assumptions about your technical knowledge based on your gender. Overcoming this requires building unshakeable confidence in your skills and finding allies who recognize and champion your contributions. It's a journey of self-advocacy and persistence in showing that talent has no gender.

In a male-dominated environment, how do you ensure your voice is heard and your ideas are taken seriously? (Generalization)

To ensure your voice is heard, it's vital to be well-prepared and assertive. Always back up your ideas with data, research, or solid technical rationale. Use clear, direct language and avoid qualifiers that might undermine your statements. A key strategy is finding allies or sponsors who can help amplify your points in a group setting. If you are interrupted, calmly but firmly reclaim the floor. You must consciously command the space your expertise has earned you.

Can you share a story about a time when you saw another woman leading and it inspired you? (Generalization)

I was deeply inspired by a senior technical leader who, despite facing immense pressure, handled a major system outage with calm decisiveness and empathy. She didn't shout or panic; she systematically delegated tasks, communicated clearly with executives, and supported her team. Her style showed me that true power in leadership lies in competence and composure, not aggression. It validated the idea that I didn't need to adopt a traditionally aggressive "male" style of leadership to be effective and respected.

What message would you give to your younger self about starting a career in tech? (Generalization)

The message I would give is simple: Don't wait for permission to be smart, and don't shrink your ambition to fit someone else's expectations. Your unique perspective is your superpower; it will help you identify problems and solutions that others miss. Focus fiercely on building core technical skills, but also practice soft skills like negotiation and networking. Never internalize someone else's doubt; trust your abilities and remember that imposter syndrome is a liar.