Women In Engineering: The Journey To Tech & Advice For Aspiring Female Engineers

In building quality digital products, it's vital to acknowledge the team of dedicated engineers that work together to produce successful results. Our Devsu engineers have completed over 500+ projects and are consistently working to help businesses thrive and stay ahead in the industry. 

At Devsu, we take pride in the caliber of our people, because they play a huge role in our milestones and successes. We are strong believers in diversity in tech, especially in encouraging more female engineers to make their mark in the industry. According to recent research, women make up 25% of the technology workforce and occupy only 11% of leadership positions. This data suggests there is considerable room for women to grow in the technology industry.

To celebrate Women in Engineering Day, we interviewed three of our software developers who have grown in the technology industry and made a significant impact with their extensive experience. We were curious about their journey into tech, what inspired their decision to choose this field, and what advice they would give to aspiring young females.

Betsy Nazareno Aguiño — Software Developer, Devsu 

First, can you share your journey into tech/engineering?

I started learning programming when I was 15 in high school. When I began to study it, everything seemed exciting and logical; I didn't have to memorize things but understand them, which I found an exciting challenge. 

However, when you are young and starting, you feel you can do everything without exceptions. When I started University, I realized that not everything was as easy as in school, and you begin to get a lot of fear when you face new challenges. I always performed well in programming subjects, but I was afraid to work in technology for fear of failing. 

One day, a good friend told me, "If you are afraid of everything, you will never progress." that phrase opened my eyes, and I started facing more significant challenges: I participated in a research group on Malware behavior at the University, attended a conference on Computer-Human interaction in Hamburg, got my first job as a Software Engineer, and am currently working on a great project where I face new challenges every day.

Interesting, it seems you have always loved tech from a young age. So what exactly inspired you to pursue a career in tech/engineering?

My father told us all his life about how great it would be to have a daughter who was a "Systems Engineer." this permeated me since I was little, so I was looking for the path to this Engineering. I never had any doubts; eventually, I would have to be an Engineer. Later in high school, I had the opportunity to meet a couple of programming teachers who inspired me to learn and become a professional in this area. I always remember them fondly as they guided me on the right path.

As a young female who has grown in the tech industry, how do you see the role of women in tech/engineering evolving in the future?

More and more women are encouraged to choose a career path in engineering/technology; it is not like before, when it was very unusual to see a woman in an engineering classroom. With sufficient guidance and mentoring, more girls would join this area. The contribution of women in engineering teams is invaluable due to their capacity for innovation, persuasion, and leadership skills, my best leaders and mentors are incredible women.

So what advice would you give to young women considering a career in tech/engineering?

Pursuing an Engineering degree opens the doors to the world and changes your perspective towards yourself and your environment. Of course, it can be a daunting challenge, but there is no better satisfaction than knowing that you have achieved it and continue to grow personally and professionally. Every day you have something new and valuable to contribute with your work and effort to your work team. Facing new challenges can be overwhelming, but we cannot allow fear to paralyze us; behind fear is success waiting for us with open arms.

Sofía Guerrero — Software Developer, Devsu

Sofia, can you share your journey into tech/engineering?

My journey into tech/engineering began with a bit of uncertainty. In the beginning, I wasn't really clear about what Systems Engineering was all about. However, I was up for the challenge, especially because there weren't many women in this field. I've always been drawn to challenges, and this was no exception. 

In the early stages, I struggled a lot, trying to grasp the concepts and techniques. But then something amazing happened when I started coding.

Coding was like a game to me, presenting a new challenge every day. I fell in love with the process of creating software and solving problems through programming. The feeling I experienced after spending hours working on something and finally making it work was simply inexplicable. It was a combination of accomplishment, satisfaction, and the excitement of what I could create next. That's when I knew I wanted to dedicate myself to software development and make it an integral part of my career.

It's amazing to see you loved coding and that you were prepared for any challenge. Following your experience, what inspired you to pursue a career in tech/engineering?

I was inspired to pursue a career in tech/engineering because of my passion for learning and my strong desire to be part of the ongoing fight for women's empowerment and equality. Seeing the underrepresentation of women in the field, I felt compelled to challenge the status quo and prove that gender should never be a barrier to pursuing one's dreams. By embracing a career in tech/engineering, I not only follow my own interests but also contribute to breaking down barriers, inspiring other women to join the field, and paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse industry.

So tell us, how do you see the role of women in tech evolving in the future? 

Women's role in tech is evolving in an empowering way, fueled by the current fight for gender equality. More women are breaking barriers, taking on leadership positions, and contributing their unique perspectives, shaping a future that is more diverse and inclusive.

Can you share some advice you will give to your younger self? 

My advice to young women is to embrace and celebrate their identity as women. While pursuing a career in a male-dominated field can be challenging, it's important to remember that there is still a long way to go in the fight for women's rights and equality. Society often imposes expectations and stereotypes on women, leading us to believe that we must suppress certain characteristics to avoid appearing weak. So, my advice is to be proud of who you are, embrace your femininity, and let your voice and talents shine in the tech/engineering world.

Zaida Elisabet A. — Software Developer, Devsu 

Can you tell us about your tech/engineering journey?

I embarked on my journey in the realm of telecommunications, but soon found myself diving deeper into the captivating world of electronics. My passion for this field led me to immerse myself in the construction of robots for thrilling competitions during my time at university. Once I obtained my engineering degree, my path took a turn toward the exciting realms of information networks and mobile application development. Today, programming has become an integral part of my daily life.

So what inspired you to pursue a career in tech/engineering?

Since I was a child I was influenced to be involved in the world of technology. Maybe it was having both of my parents as engineers that sparked my interest and fueled my passion for pursuing a career in this field. I always received support from my family, empowering me to chase my dreams. And at the moment of deciding on a similar path, I could also feel that impulse to continue. The knowledge that there are absolutely no boundaries to what you can create and achieve in the ever-evolving realm of tech has been a constant source of inspiration for me. It’s what keeps me motivated and excited to continue on this path.

We would like to know, how do you see the role of women in tech/engineering evolving in the future?

As women, we have this incredible skill for diving deep into details, unleashing our boundless creativity to find the best solutions, and fearlessly tackling unexpected problems even under pressure. The impact of remarkable women on different scientific fields has been immense, and their instincts and gifts are becoming even more essential in today’s tech-driven and engineering-focused world. This unique perspective and talents are needed to shape the future.

Finally, what advice would you give to young women considering a career in tech/engineering?

Do not let fear hold you back, and do not allow the majority to intimidate you. Embrace your right to hold diverse opinions and never hesitate to voice them. We will consistently offer a unique perspective in this field, which should be seen not as a weakness but as our greatest strength.

In conclusion, Betsy Nazareno Aguiño , Sofía Guerrero , and Zaida Elisabet A. have shared their journey into technology, and we're excited to hear more stories about how women are making strides in the tech industry. You, too, have the opportunity to be part of our innovative, tech-driven team at Devsu. Visit our careers page to apply for open positions.

If you're already in tech, we would love to hear from you. What was the 'Aha!' moment when you knew you wanted to be a part of this industry? Share with us in the comments.