Finding Our Way
Amid the sometimes baffling book industry and its everyday challenges, I can sometimes lose my way on why I wrote a book in the first place. And then I get an email like the below, and it all comes flooding back. I wanted a book out there for everyone who like me, didn’t think they belonged in tech but was there and needed more…needed more help, advice, guidance, support, stories. And to hear that someone all the way in India has found the book and is thinking about what they need…SO WORTH IT. I’ll put up with lots of publishing world weirdness to help each one of you find yourself and your voice.
What I also love about the below is how it points out that there’s still a ways to go, especially in different cultures. My book focused on the US market, but there’s such good stories outside of the US. I’ll continue to seek ways to amplify those voices whether in book or other forms. First, I’ll share the note below with names redacted for anonymity per the author’s request.
Subject: Thank you for your book "The Adventures of Women in Tech How we got here and Why we stay"
“I am…from India writing to you to express my heartfelt appreciation for your book titled "The Adventures of Women in Tech How we got here and Why we stay"
I heard about your book in a Udacity Scholarship Program for Microsoft Azure from a fellow participant…, when we were all exchanging our book recommendations.
I must say it was my best decision to buy your book but I am unhappy that I did not have the opportunity to read this book back when I was joining the IT Industry in 2012.
For the first time I agree with the benefits of being in Tech as a women and yes it is not being spoken widely in the media.
At the same time I do want to express my thoughts as a women from tech that it is not easy being one and the probability is even thinner to make it through and reach Leadership position in the Industry.
One thing that stuck with me after reading the book is that I have to find the right mentor as quickly as possible.
Amidst the pandemic and working remotely the task had become more difficult to carry on and I really hope that I could find the right mentor for me at the earliest. Any help or advice to find mentors when we are working remotely would be much appreciated
I was previously a participant of Women Techmakers conference held at Banglore, India in 2018 and I happened to meet with great many women tech employees from Google, who achieved a lot of milestones and was hoping that I could connect with them and understand the process of how it is done and looking forward so much for a helping hand.
I was told that I have to look for mentors only in my own organisation. It was a big disappointment because I could not only find any mentors in my organisation but ended up with too much hurt and why me scenarios.
Coming from a third world country and a culture where I am expected to get married maximum by the age of 25 years old, it has not been a cake walk for me being a single women in Tech in my 30s.
I am not sure how to help fellow women college graduates from India with the same culture mindset but I just wish when I was joining I was told about the things that I have to lookout for like beware of these manipulating harassment behaviours, chapter 6 "The special place in hell" question, work-life balance and that it is all right even if you are not married and many such more things. This book would definitely help the new joiners to the Industry. So, I already promoted them to my circle Instagrammers and TikTokers :). I really wish everyone could grab a copy.
If there was a way to share my suggestion to them I would say, 'Do not be discouraged by others' unhealthy comments in your life. They are "your" ambitions, goals and your own efforts. The Power of Compounding is unlimited. Only you know what your worth is. So, Never give up!'.
I do try connecting with my juniors from my college and many young campus joiners from my circle but I always have this buzzing sound in my head that if only I could save few more and also am constantly on the lookout to learn, survive and thrive in this adventure being a Women in Tech. I must say reading this book was partly like me finding the Ultimate Guide in my own Indiana Jones world.
I once again would like to thank you for all your best efforts and all the women who shared their knowledge and experience to create this Ultimate Guide.”
