Five Tips for Success as a Female Developer
In the tech world, we’ve heard many times over that it’s an industry dominated by men. Despite this fact, there are plenty of women in tech who are success stories and helping to pave the way for new generations of female developers. And while being female in the tech industry means being held to a higher standard, these eight tips can help you become one of those successes stories as well.
Everyone starts somewhere
The first step to success is deciding what you want to accomplish. Once you have your goal, it’s important to set deadlines and expectations. It may not happen overnight but if you put the time in and stay focused, you will eventually see results.
Have mentors, don’t be afraid to reach out
Find mentors and be proactive about asking questions. It’s important to find someone who is not only knowledgeable in the subject you’re working on, but also has experience with what it’s like being a woman in the industry. In my experience, I have found that many of my mentors are women. Whether they are female developers or executives at companies I am looking to work for – this is an opportunity for us to talk through our experiences and discuss strategies on how we can push forward together!
Also be sure to take time out of your day or week – maybe once every few months or so – to call up some people in your field whom you’ve never talked with before. Ask them how they got into the industry, their career path, and if they have any advice for newbies trying to break into the field. You’ll likely come away from these conversations feeling refreshed while also learning something new that will help you build your skill set.
Seek out other women developers
The tech industry is notoriously male-dominated. With the demand for skilled developers increasing, it’s never been more important to recruit women into this field. But how do you break down the barriers that are preventing women from participating? Here are eight strategies that can help:
1) Encourage girls to explore STEM subjects and careers early on in their education. Research has shown that students who take an interest in STEM subjects at an early age are more likely to pursue STEM degrees or careers later on. In addition, since there are so few women in tech jobs, it’s important to encourage girls to explore these fields from an early age so they have a sense of belonging and feel confident pursuing these interests.
2) Provide opportunities for girl empowerment through technology.
Build your social media presence
- Be active on social media. This is not just about building your own personal brand, but also helping to build up the community around you by participating in discussions and sharing relevant content.
- Connect with others on social media, because it is often the best way to get in touch with fellow developers and other people in your field who are willing to help you along the way.
- Attend meetups and conferences whenever possible, and be sure to speak up at them! Many people will be more than happy to share their experiences with you and help out where they can.
Start a side project
. Get in touch with your inner introvert. Developing software is often an introverted task, so if you’re not used to being alone in your head, it can be hard to know what you should focus on when you’re trying to concentrate. Start small- write down all the features that are essential to making your app work well and then narrow them down until you have one or two things that make the app stand out from the others on the market.
