Erika Voss, Vice President, Engineering Platforms at Capital One Software: How to Break Into the Tech Industry With an Untraditional, Non-Technical Background
Oct 4, 2023
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Erika Voss, a VP at Capital One Software, shares how she broke into the tech industry without a technical background. She discusses her transition from a corrections officer, learning technical skills, and emphasizing transferable skills in job interviews. She also explores the challenges of becoming a technical executive and the importance of having someone who believes in you.
Transferable skills are valuable in the tech industry, and emphasizing them can help individuals with non-traditional backgrounds break into the field.
Biases and preconceptions in the tech industry can limit opportunities for individuals with non-traditional backgrounds, and companies need to be more open-minded in hiring and recognize talent beyond traditional qualifications.
Self-belief, authenticity, and continuous self-development are essential characteristics for leadership, along with building trust, open communication, and finding passion in one's work to alleviate stress.
Deep dives
Transition from Non-traditional Background to Tech
The podcast episode features Erica Voss, Vice President of Engineering and Architecture at Capital One, sharing her unique journey of transitioning from a non-tech background to tech. Erica discusses how she started as a nanny, then worked as a corrections officer before entering the tech industry. She highlights the importance of believing in your abilities and having someone who believes in you and takes a chance on you. Erica emphasizes the value of transferable skills, such as leadership, management, and problem-solving abilities, which can be just as valuable as technical knowledge in the tech industry.
Overcoming Stereotypes and Challenging the Status Quo in Tech
Erica addresses the limitations and biases often faced by individuals with non-traditional backgrounds in the tech industry. She discusses how these biases can prevent individuals from being considered for positions or opportunities. Erica advocates for the need to challenge these preconceptions and for companies to be more open-minded when it comes to hiring, recognizing that there is talent beyond traditional qualifications. She shares her own experiences and highlights the importance of advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in tech.
The Power of Belief and Confidence in Leadership
Erica emphasizes the significance of self-belief and confidence as essential characteristics for leadership. She recounts instances where others believed in her potential and how this motivated her to prove them right. Erica discusses the importance of connecting with people, showing authenticity, and being approachable as a leader. She shares her experiences of leading large teams and the importance of building trust and open communication. Erica also emphasizes the necessity of continuous self-development and a growth mindset as a leader.
Balancing Work and Life in Leadership Roles
Erica highlights the misconception that more senior leadership roles are inherently more stressful. She emphasizes the importance of finding passion and fulfillment in one's work, which can alleviate stress. Erica advises leaders to nail the basics, focus on outcomes, and effectively manage priorities. She discusses the significance of having a supportive team and creating a culture that values work-life balance. Erica emphasizes the value of self-care and finding joy in one's role as essential components of a successful and balanced leadership journey.
Driving Change and Empowering Others in Tech
Erica emphasizes her commitment to driving positive change in the tech industry. She highlights the need for industry-wide improvement, including greater humility, inclusivity, and recognition of individual journeys and contributions. Erica discusses her vision of creating a culture where everyone's voice is heard and appreciated. She shares her philosophy of leadership, which involves empowering others, focusing on customer outcomes, and creating opportunities for growth and development within her team.
Erika Voss, Vice President, Engineering Platforms at Capital One Software
Erika doesn't have the typical background of a technical executive at a large enterprise software company. She began her career as a corrections officer at a maximum-security prison. We explore how she transitioned from becoming a public servant, which she admits she would have been happy spending her entire life doing, to breaking into the tech industry with an untraditional, non-technical background.
Erika explains how she learned the technical skills, including finding a mentor that encouraged her to get trained, and bridged the gap with her communications and leadership skills. She outlines how to sell yourself in a job interview and best highlight your transferable skills across industries and professions. Finally, we dig into the challenges of becoming a technical executive and what it takes to get promoted to a director, senior director, and finally, a vice president of engineering at some of the most influential financial services and tech companies.