This article is part of the blog series: “… in Tech”, where we ask one of our teammates at Snappy to give us their experience as a member of their community, specifically what working at a tech startup means to them as an individual and on a societal level. It’s important to share these stories to better understand the experiences that may not be our own.
It's no secret that data engineering is a male-dominated field, with less than 20% of Data Engineers identifying as women compared to men. As a woman in the field, it can feel lonely and challenging, yet very fulfilling at the same time.
As a Senior Data Engineer at Snappy, I'm responsible for quite literally architecting and building Snappy as a product– which is pretty awesome.
When I'm not writing code, I'm spending time with my two sons, August and Evan, cuddling my Bernese Mountain Dog, Louie, painting oil landscapes and abstract fluid art, or training to become a yoga instructor. I'm also proud to be an Army veteran with a tour to Afghanistan under my belt.
Women in Tech know we have to stick together.
Before working at Snappy, I was the only woman on a team of thirty men. It was like that during my science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) classes in college, and it's been like that throughout my professional career– women are the minority.
Because of this, I've often had to make a significant effort to have my voice heard in conversations. I've faced overt sexism and constant microaggressions in previous roles like so many other women. But I've also come across supportive male bosses who were incredible allies and often went to bat for me when something wasn't fair.
"I've been fortunate to have an incredible community of women colleagues to support me. The ecosystem for Women in Tech truly paves the way for women to come together and accomplish great things. Women in Tech know we have to stick together, support each other, and stand up for each other."
Who run the world?
Although there's still a long way to go, women have made significant headway in the tech world. I feel lucky to work at a woman-led tech company where women outnumber men by 60%. I also love seeing how Snappy supports and partners with other woman-owned businesses and even created a collection featuring only woman-owned businesses for the month of March.
Internally, Snappy also recently started an Employee Resource Group (ERG) community, and I'm so excited to have started our first Snappy Women ERG this week! I can't wait to see all the amazing things our ERG accomplishes for women at Snappy.
Outside of Snappy, I’m very passionate about getting the next generation of women engaged in STEM as early as possible. I volunteer with two organizations that have code camps for school-age girls. The rise of coding boot camps makes it easier to enter the tech field for women of all ages.
For most adult women, it's not feasible to go back to school for a second degree, so it’s an awesome way for moms ready to re-enter the workforce or women looking for a career change to become data engineers. There are endless organizations and leaders out there with the focus on women in tech and I think the future is starting to look brighter.
Women's History Month and beyond.
To me, Women’s History Month is a chance to listen and learn from voices I've yet to hear and to pay homage to the multitude of inspiring women, not only in history but also in my own life, who continue to inspire me daily. I hope everyone can find profound gratitude for the women who paved the way for women’s rights, amplify the voices of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ women, and continue the hard work for equality, equity, and justice.
Editor's note:
This piece was written as part of the …In Tech series where we feature stories of our team members, getting their unique perspectives on their experiences and how they shine at Snappy. We're always looking for amazing people to join our team, so we'd love for you to explore exciting opportunities at Snappy.
You can also take a peek at some of the amazing Women-Owned Businesses featured in our collections!
