Women at Backbase
What first sparked your interest in working in the tech industry?
Nayeli Jaime Monreal - QA Engineer
When I was in middle school, I had the chance to learn about computers and slowly enter the tech field. Ever since, I haven't stopped learning new things, because the tech industry is always evolving.
Alejandra De La Torre - Mobile Engineer
The idea to change the world as we know it. Technology is part of our daily lives and changes every day, and this represents a challenge that I wanted to be part of.
Soraya Islas Toski - Mobile Engineer
Since I was little, my father, a System Engineer, introduced me to the tech world. I had the opportunity to use computers at an early age. I was interested in how they worked and how to create things to use them. Since then, I have been interested in programming.
Claudia Martinez - QA Engineer
I heard a relative talk about a career in technology and the boom it was having because IT can be implemented in all fields. That made me very excited, and I decided to study a career related to this.
What does being a woman in Backbase mean to you?
Nayeli Jaime Monreal - QA Engineer
Women in Backbase means change, leadership, and speaking out.
Alejandra De La Torre - Mobile Engineer
Being part of Backbase doesn't make me feel different as a woman in technology. Here, I am like any other team member. I'm part of a great community with a lot of support, where I can grow and learn every day.
Soraya Islas Toski - Mobile Engineer
I’m helping to break the stigma that only men are in technology fields, but this does not make me special or give me an exclusive benefit. I believe that we are all capable of creating and leading projects.
Claudia Martinez - QA Engineer
It means being a member of a great team. I do not perceive any difference in the work environment due to the fact of being a woman — the responsibility, the workload, the performance, areas of opportunity, etc. is the same as that of my colleagues who are men.
What advice would you give to women entering the tech field?
Nayeli Jaime Monreal - QA Engineer
Never quit! You will always have someone to help you, and there are many women out there willing to assist. You can achieve whatever you want!
Alejandra De La Torre - Mobile Engineer
Don't be afraid, keep going, and constancy is key to accomplishing your goals.
Soraya Islas Toski - Mobile Engineer
To study hard and always look ahead! Don't wait for everything to be solved just because you are a woman. We should show that it is a job that anyone, regardless of gender, can do.
Claudia Martinez - QA Engineer
Continuously prepare, because this area is one where there are more changes and updates. Therefore it is mandatory to study and investigate, not only to acquire knowledge but also to provide it.
How do you combat biases in the tech industry?
Nayeli Jaime Monreal - QA Engineer
If you do not feel comfortable where you are, speak out, and tell a person to whom you have more confidence. Biases are a cultural thing and always will be part of a company.
Alejandra De La Torre - Mobile Engineer
Always give your opinion, and don't be afraid to express how you feel and what you think.
Soraya Islas Toski - Mobile Engineer
Ignore biases, just do your job. If you demonstrate your skills and these are reflected in your projects in an excellent way, the biases will go away.
Claudia Martinez - QA Engineer
Be a person with knowledge and prepare for everything, because this produces good results. As a consequence, any opinion of other people that is out of place is invalid by itself.
Do you ever struggle with confidence? How do you overcome it?
Nayeli Jaime Monreal - QA Engineer
You need to know that you will fail, but it does not mean that you can not do it. Time and practice are what is missing. Winston Churchill said that "success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."
Alejandra De La Torre - Mobile Engineer
Struggling with confidence is normal. One thing that I like to do is to write my goals and what I have been able to accomplish. This way, everytime I feel insecure, I read where I began and see how far I have come.
Soraya Islas Toski - Mobile Engineer
Always, but if I don't do things, they never happen. We have to always try, act, and if we fail, learn to fix it and improve.
Claudia Martinez - QA Engineer
Yes, but I know I'm not a perfect person and I choose to correct when I'm wrong and learn from my mistakes. If it is necessary to apologize, I choose to do so and raise awareness to take this as a learning opportunity for myself and for others. Moving forward is important because a mistake should not mean defeat, but rather learning.
Why do you think it's important for women to join the tech industry?
Nayeli Jaime Monreal - QA Engineer
Women have another perspective and can bring different things to the table. Also, we can have more balance at work and create better things together.
Alejandra De La Torre - Mobile Engineer
One of the most important values of Backbase is together, and this allows our projects to have different points of view from people all over the world. This would be incomplete if we don't include women, since we have a lot of ideas and creativity to contribute.
Soraya Islas Toski - Mobile Engineer
Perhaps women are more detail-oriented and notice things that can be easily overlooked, so we support our projects and create better quality. And since anyone can work in this sector, we have to show that we have the same reasoning skills as others.
Claudia Martinez - QA Engineer
It has been shown that gender should not be a factor in obtaining a job or not. In the past, being a woman was a limitation for us to be able to perform as professionals in any area. By participating in the technology industry, it gives us the opportunity to contribute our strengths and talents in an area that is one of the most innovative and booming. This can inspire more women to participate in this and any other area.
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