Resilience is key in tech, navigating toxic cultures and gender biases.
Emotional intelligence and teamwork are essential alongside technical expertise in tech industry.
Mentorship, self-advocacy, and fostering inclusivity drive positive change in tech community.
Deep dives
Amanda Wasna's Career Journey
Amanda Wasna, a principal systems engineer at Amazon Robotics, discusses her career trajectory, from struggling with imposter syndrome to finding her place in the tech world through resilience and determination. Despite facing challenges and contemplating leaving tech due to toxic cultures and gender biases, she emphasizes the importance of self-care, standing up against discrimination, and being a team player in a predominantly individualistic field.
Impact of Toxic Tech Culture
Amanda highlights the toxic elements of tech culture that perpetuate sexism and discourage inclusivity. She reflects on the pressure to conform to a lone inventor or cowboy persona, which can lead to burnout and hinder collaboration. By sharing her experiences of navigating gender biases and management roles in tech, Amanda underscores the need for a supportive and diverse environment in the industry.
Resilience and Mentorship in Tech
Despite facing setbacks and contemplating quitting tech, Amanda's resilience and mentorship from experienced professionals helped her persevere and drive positive change. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, advocating for oneself, and fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity in the tech community.
Balancing Technical Skills and Soft Skills
Amanda discusses the balance between technical expertise and soft skills in the tech industry, emphasizing the significance of empathy, communication, and problem-solving beyond technical prowess. By cultivating a team-oriented approach and fostering a supportive work environment, she encourages individuals to prioritize emotional intelligence and collaborative skills alongside technical competencies.
Nurturing a Healthy Tech Ecosystem
Amanda advocates for creating a healthy tech ecosystem that values diversity, inclusivity, and continuous learning. By challenging toxic norms, promoting mentorship, and prioritizing self-care, she emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals can thrive and contribute positively to the tech community.
Ending with a Motivational Quote
Amanda closes with a motivational quote from Steve Jobs, encouraging listeners to persevere in their pursuits, value personal growth, and prioritize finding fulfillment in their endeavors. She underscores the importance of continuous learning, self-discovery, and remaining steadfast in the face of challenges to achieve long-term success and fulfillment in both personal and professional endeavors.
Amanda “w0z” Wozniak spoke with us about her career through biomedical engineering and startups.
Amanda contributed a chapter to Building Open Source Hardware: DIY Manufacturing. (A book we spoke with Alicia Gibb about in #289.) Amanda’s chapter was titled Design Process: How to Get from Nothing to Something.
For more information about the companies we discussed, check out Amanda’s LinkedIn page.
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