Recognising the importance of being a woman in tech is crucial; it's about understanding the journey, celebrating the progress, and anticipating exciting advancements.

Technology is not only about applying knowledge; it's a passion that ignites the hearts of many, especially us women. Establishing a foothold in the technology sector, where women often face challenges in having their presence acknowledged, represents a significant milestone for women. My love for tech started early: I delved into Computers as my primary subject in high school. I've eagerly subscribed to the boards of Technology on the Flipboard to keep myself up to date with new technologies. Witnessing the evolution from the invention of the abacus to today's automated systems is truly inspiring. We've traversed a remarkable journey, and it is exciting to be part of a field that continually transforms the way we live and work.

As a Quality Assurance Engineer, my passion lies in ensuring top-notch products and maintaining a keen focus on quality throughout the development journey. The most interesting aspect of my role is discovering bugs. It's funny as the bugs appear in the most unexpected ways. Yet, this process is not just amusing; it's integral to guaranteeing the product's excellence. Moreover, I enjoy thinking from an implementation point of view and the user perspective on any requirements.

Hybrid and remote work made the tech industry diverse

The integration of hybrid and remote work has significantly diversified the Tech industry. Post the upheavals of the COVID-19 pandemic, the transition towards remote work has especially ushered in a wave of diversity and opportunities for women in my home country, Pakistan. Traditionally, women in Pakistan tended to gravitate towards professions like teaching, drawn by the appeal of flexible working hours. However, the emergence of remote work has become a catalyst for change, granting them the empowerment to pursue their career aspirations and objectives with greater flexibility and autonomy. This paradigm shift not only signifies a positive evolution in career dynamics but has also opened up avenues for women to actively participate in the Tech sector.

There's still progress to be made
Recognising the dominance of male figures like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg in the tech world, it's crucial to spotlight the inspirational stories of women who have overcome challenges to achieve success. This underscores the importance of representation – a powerful notion that fuels motivation. In an industry where the gender balance leans towards men, feelings of impostor syndrome are not uncommon. Therefore, I always admire the idea of empowering women and supporting each other. I've actively encouraged graduate students to embrace their passions and challenge themselves in tech, particularly in fields traditionally dominated by men, such as DevOps and development.

To bridge the gender gap, I strongly advocate introducing career counselling sessions led by women in tech. This will give courage and motivation to girls and women to thriving careers in technology. Additionally, workplaces can make impactful changes to support women, such as providing additional holidays dedicated to women's well-being, fostering a comfortable work environment, and, critically, ensuring equal opportunities. Initiatives like flexible working hours, work-from-home or hybrid cultures, paid maternity leaves, healthcare benefits, and efforts to reduce the pay gap collectively contribute to a more inclusive and supportive workplace for women. 

Believe in yourself
To all the incredible women navigating the dynamic world of tech, my advice would be: to embrace confidence and self-belief. We often hold ourselves back, waiting for that elusive perfection before diving into a new technology. My mantra is, if you grasp the basics and understand 60% of the technology, go ahead and apply with confidence – you'll learn and grow on the journey.

Additionally, I strongly advocate for honing your networking skills. In the realm of tech, building connections is akin to unlocking doors of opportunity. The more you network within your desired career, the more likely you are to stumble upon new possibilities and ascend the ladder of success. So, my advice is to step into the tech world with confidence, apply your skills boldly, and weave a network that propels you towards the pinnacles of your aspirations. 

Experience the magic of tech
Tech is truly amazing because it adds an extra dash of excitement to our lives. Imagine the thrill of automating entire systems, where the mundane regression steps are minimised, granting us precious time to delve into the vast realm of new technologies and personal development. Picture this: while automation seamlessly takes care of the heavy lifting, I can get to a cup of coffee or indulge in a bit of yoga – it's like having a tech-savvy assistant at your fingertips.

And let's not forget the marvels of AI, especially the mind-blowing concepts like deep learning. Language learning models used to craft chatbots are now granting us instant access to information with just a question. It's inspiring to think that only five or six years ago, we couldn't have imagined the possibility of something so seamlessly futuristic. The journey of tech is nothing short of amazing, filled with continuous innovation and surprises that keep us on the edge of our seats. That's precisely why I'm delighted to be a part of this Tech industry.