Riina Luoso
Head of Core Solutions
Fluido

When faced with challenges, the key is to be bold—embrace experimentation and don’t fear iteration until you get it right.

I’m Riina Luoso, a seasoned professional with 20 years in the tech industry, including seven years at Fluido, an Infosys company. I lead one of Fluido’s delivery units, working with highly skilled experts across Europe to help our customers leverage the Salesforce platform. My role is to ensure we have the right talent at the right time to meet our customers’ needs.

My passion lies in empowering my team to excel. This means fostering an environment of support, continuous learning, and professional growth. I also engage with the business side—how to reach our targets, how we navigate the market, and the value we deliver to customers. My focus is on keeping our team at the cutting edge of technology while ensuring everyone enjoys their work, performs their best, and thrives.

A culture of cooperation  

Fluido has a fantastic culture, and one of our greatest strengths is knowledge-sharing. Here, expertise isn’t hoarded—everyone is open to exchanging insights. This spirit of collaboration ensures no one has to master everything alone. It’s one of the things I appreciate most about our company.

Transferable skills  

My background in team sports has shaped my professional journey. Playing sports in my youth and early adulthood taught me about teamwork, resilience, and leadership. Winning and failing together instilled valuable lessons that I’ve carried into my career.

Sports also showed me how diverse individuals can unite toward a common goal, each bringing unique strengths to the table. My experience as a team captain and coach honed my leadership skills, preparing me for the challenges of guiding a professional team. Most importantly, sports taught me how to navigate setbacks and turn them into opportunities for growth.

Tips to stay up-to-date in the IT field

The tech industry evolves rapidly, and I’ve long accepted that mastering everything is impossible. Instead, I focus on what’s relevant now and what trends may impact the future.

As a consultant, I constantly explore new topics, whether through industry reports, online resources, or discussions with colleagues. Conversations with peers are among the best ways to gain insights and stay informed. When I find something particularly intriguing, I dive deeper into research across multiple sources.

How do I overcome challenges and move forward?

The central aspect is not to fear the new. Curiosity is crucial. When tackling new challenges, I focus on understanding how innovations can benefit individuals or organizations. I seek insights from those with hands-on experience, learning from their perspectives before deciding how to approach things myself. The willingness to experiment, iterate, and refine ideas is key to progress.

Where does this resilience come from?

Resilience has always been part of who I am. My parents instilled in me a simple principle: if you commit to something, give it your best effort. This mindset has guided me naturally throughout my career.

Keeping a work-life balance

Balancing work and family is an ongoing challenge, but I prioritize boundaries. Unless it’s an emergency, I keep my weekends work-free, dedicating time to my children and shared activities.

One of my favorite ways to disconnect is woodworking. From crafting small utensils to building furniture, it demands my full attention and provides a refreshing break from screens.

My final message to the audience is to take your work seriously—but not too seriously. Give your best effort, but remember to laugh and enjoy the journey.

The post Forum 2024 Role model blog: Riina Luoso, Fluido first appeared on Women in Tech Finland.

When things get overwhelming, I take a step back – whether by going for a walk or doing some different activity. It gives my mind some breathing space and helps me tackle challenges more effectively. 

About me

I am Mala Devi Selvarathinam. I am currently working as an Azure Cloud Consultant at Eficode. My role is fascinating because there are new challenges and new things to do every day. This keeps my work exciting.

From India to Finland

I completed my bachelor’s in India in 2014 and I worked as a GRC analyst for an MNC company for five years. I was leading a team, but I felt like I was not very interested in the field. I had always been fascinated about Cloud technologies, and I knew I had to make a switch. That’s when I started applying for a scholarship in Erasmus Mundus to study in Europe for my Master’s degree.

When I got selected, I was super happy and packed my bags to Finland in 2019. It was a double program degree. I studied at Aalto University in Finland for my first year and my second year at the Technical University of Denmark. Little did I know, the journey ahead would test me in ways I hadn’t imagined.

Mala Devi Selvarathinam, Azure Cloud Consultant, Eficode

Overcoming challenges

I started my Master’s in a new country in 2019, and just a few months later, the pandemic hit the world. This was one of the most stressful periods because everything around me was shutting down. It was also difficult because summer internships were challenging to find at the time and no one knew what was happening. But Finland and Aalto University were very supportive. I took the initiative to join one of Aalto’s research teams as a research assistant, which gave me insight into the research industry and kept me going through uncertain times.

In 2021, I completed my Master’s degree, but the world was still feeling the aftershocks of the pandemic. Starting over in a new country was daunting—especially when I found myself back at square one, working as a trainee at KPMG. The thought of beginning as a trainee again after years of experience in India was intimidating.

However, KPMG turned out to be a great learning experience. I smoothly transitioned into consulting in Finland, climbing from trainee to junior consultant and then to senior consultant. I learned how consultation works in Finland and was also embracing the work culture which was very different to how it is back home. Leaving KPMG was bittersweet, but I wanted to dive deeper into Cloud and DevOps-related aspects, and Eficode matched what I wanted to do.

How did I find Eficode?

I’ve been aware of Eficode since my Master’s days at Aalto University. I have been following their work, subscribed to their newsletters, and admired their expertise in DevOps and Cloud—areas that aligned perfectly with my career aspirations.

So, when I spotted an opening, I didn’t hesitate to apply. Six months ago, I officially became part of Eficode, and it has been an exciting journey ever since!

Working at Eficode

One key thing that I find exceptional at Eficode is that I’m not afraid to ask anyone any questions. There are no silly questions. That is nice, and it makes your work easier because you don’t get stuck with anything. You know you can always reach out for some help. We have a welcoming and helpful culture. The company’s hybrid work model offers flexibility, allowing me to balance work and life seamlessly.

As a consultant, I work with multiple clients, and the requirements are different for each client. My day involves prioritizing which client has urgent demands and working on those things. No day is the same here, which keeps the job exciting. The ever-changing nature of the job keeps things fresh and engaging—I’m constantly learning, adapting, and growing.

My motivation to join the IT field

In the early 2000s, computers were part of my high school lab. This was a prestigious place to get access to. Seeing a machine complete tasks that we once did manually was mind-blowing. This intrigued me quite a lot. But what truly inspired me was my uncle who worked in IT—he always had answers to my questions, all thanks to the internet!

So, after high school, when I had to choose my specialization, it was a natural choice to do Computer Science. From playing video games to exploring programming, my curiosity only grew stronger, leading me to where I am today. I was fascinated as a kid, and I still am.

Tips to overcome challenges

When things get overwhelming, I take a step back – whether by going for a walk or doing some different activity. It gives my mind some breathing space and helps me tackle challenges more effectively. I tackle things one at a time and see where that leads. Second, I remind myself of my end goal, and why I am here doing these things. Keeping the bigger picture in mind puts everything into perspective.

About the impact of AI

AI is an incredible tool—it has the potential to handle mundane, repetitive tasks, freeing up our time for more meaningful work. But like any powerful tool, it needs to be used wisely. Striking the right balance is key.

I have been experimenting myself with AI tools and it’s amazing to see what they are capable of. It is going to be exciting to see what the future has in store and how this will change the ways of working in IT.

Skills in IT

There are two primary skills you must have in the field of IT: the first one, and probably the most important, is being adaptive. Technology evolves rapidly. Adapting to changes is essential because what’s relevant today might be obsolete tomorrow. Staying informed is essential.

While it’s good to have a broad understanding, specializing in one area gives you a strong foundation. Once you’ve mastered one domain, it’s easier to branch into another. And this further improves your expertise.

My life outside work

Outside of work, I’m passionate about art—I enjoy calligraphy, painting, and knitting. Reading is another big part of my life; I make it a point to read at least a couple of books a month, preferably fiction.

Cooking became a necessity when I moved to Finland, but over time, I fell in love with it. Now, I’m always experimenting with new recipes alongside my husband.

And of course, I’m a huge fan of animated movies! My life mottos—”Just keep swimming” (from Finding Nemo) and “Keep moving forward” (from Walt Disney)—keep me motivated no matter what challenges come my way.

The post Role model blog: Mala Devi Selvarathinam, Eficode first appeared on Women in Tech Finland.

We can no longer say that the jobs will stay the same 10 years from now, so we need to constantly re-evaluate our options based on reality and what is available out there.

About me

I am Krittika Varmann. I am a Senior Cloud and AI Developer for F-Secure. I am an engineer at heart, drawn to solving problems simply for the joy of the process -sometimes, the journey matters more to me than the destination.

I have always been eager to see my work have a real-world impact, and I strongly believe in maintaining a balance between work, health, hobbies, and relationships. These values have significantly shaped my career path and life choices. Instead of pursuing theoretical research or academia, I gravitated toward industrial innovations, applying AI to solve real-life challenges.

Beyond engineering and AI, I am endlessly fascinated by human behaviour and technology. Whether it is cognitive biases, effective communications, or the art of persuasion, I love exploring how psychology intersects everyday life and business. You will often find me immersed in books on these topics. In my free time, I enjoy playing board games with friends, going to the sauna, winter swimming, and baking.

On my path to F-Secure

I have seven years of experience in data, cloud & AI, with a career shaped by curiosity, adaptability, and a motivation to stay ahead of industry trends.

My journey began as a researcher and project coordinator at the University of Eastern Finland in Joensuu. From there, I transitioned to Kone, where I worked as a data scientist before shifting into data engineering. I made this transition for two key reasons. First, I wanted to develop hands-on skills by working across the entire data pipeline -from start to finish- so I could build and manage solutions independently. Second, I saw data engineering to future-proof my career, keeping myself highly employable and aligned with in-demand roles.

After four years at Kone, I moved to Sanoma, where I worked as a cloud engineer for about a year and a half. Then, four months ago, I transitioned to F-Secure, a move driven by careful deduction, prioritization, and a clear vision of what I want from my career and life.

The main reason for me joining F-Secure was the cybersecurity domain of the company. As technology evolves and data becomes even more valuable, security threats are increasing. Cybersecurity, in my opinion, will only grow in importance in the coming years.

F-Secure is an incredible place to work, and what I appreciate most is that the product itself is software. The company’s core focus is on building high-quality, industry-standard code, which aligns perfectly with my values as an engineer. The role itself also allows me to bring together all the skills I have acquired through the shifts in my career: API development, cloud infrastructure, ML modelling, MLOps, testing & writing production-grade code.

The people I work with have fantastic work ethics, so I have much to feel inspired by my colleagues. And as I said, cybersecurity is such a critical domain in this world right now. I see this as an opportunity to make a real-world impact and contribute to a vital field in protecting information.

Krittika Varmann, Senior Cloud and AI Developer, F-Secure

The beginning of my studies

I have a bachelor’s in printing engineering, where I explored media, ink, paper, and printing technologies. During my studies, I completed two internships -one at a packaging company in China and another at a German startup researching electronic ink through the DAAD scholarship.

Later, I received an Erasmus Mundus scholarship for my master’s in colour science: a dual degree in optics and computer science across France, Spain, and Finland. My thesis focused on applying AI to smart lighting solutions. Upon arriving in Finland, I immediately felt at home -the direct culture and strong work-life balance resonated with me, leading me to stay.

Strategic Approach to Learning

Strategic decisions have shaped my academic and career choices. Coming from a highly competitive environment in India, I sought alternative fields where I could stand out. Instead of pursuing computer science or electronics engineering, I chose printing engineering, where competition was lower, allowing me to excel in this field and still have time to acquire other skills like studying German and Mandarin. I proactively reached out to professors worldwide, securing unique job opportunities. These experiences had a snowball effect -my internship in China and my German language strengthened my application for the DAAD scholarship which in turn positively affected my application for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship to do my master’s degree.

Maximizing Future Options

My advice for those starting is to maintain a curious mindset and keep pushing to create and expand future opportunities at every step. When you begin, you have fewer options, but you can expand opportunities for the future so that you have options to choose from.

Sometimes, I’ve seen people start with something, get stuck with it, and spend many years doing it. I’ve seen people staying in the same work for 20 years, and that’s not necessarily bad for somebody who wants that. But for me, that narrows down my options.

I believe in maximizing future opportunities rather than getting confined to a single domain. This philosophy aligns with Morgan Housel’s powerful definition of wealth from ‘The Psychology of Money’: ‘Wealth is having the freedom to do what you want, when you want, with whom you want, for as long as you want.’ I strive to maximize this kind of freedom in my career. Many people stay in one job for decades, which works for some, but I prefer versatility. If I ever wake up feeling unfulfilled, I want the flexibility to switch paths. Without the foundational work I put in early on, making transitions would have felt overwhelming. However, transitions have become much smoother and more natural for me because I developed the habit of adapting and exploring different domains from the start.

We can no longer say that the jobs will stay the same 10 years from now, so we need to constantly re-evaluate our options based on reality and what is actually available out there. We must be ready to jump to things and do things that don’t make us feel comfortable. If we want to thrive in this fast-changing environment, we must keep adapting and pushing ourselves to take on new challenges.

In a world where technology evolves rapidly and jobs become obsolete, adaptability is crucial. You can either stay in your comfort zone and risk stagnation or embrace change and continuously challenge yourself. Both come with struggles, and choosing the struggle that aligns with your long-term goals is key.

Networking tips from Krittika

Value Networking in Tech Brings

The tech industry is quite tightly knit, especially in Finland, where the community is small. After a while, you’ll find everybody knows everybody. It’s not uncommon to hear a Finn say, “Oh, I know him from back in the Nokia days!”

This, along with the concept of Nordic Trust, meaning there is a great deal of trust in recommendations, business operations, and general dealings in Nordic communities, can significantly influence your career prospects.

As a personal example, after finishing my third semester studying in Finland, I had the opportunity to pursue my master’s thesis anywhere in the world, but by then, I had already decided to stay in Finland and opted for an industrial Master Thesis rather than an academic one. I did it with a Finnish innovation company, and later, when I applied for a position at Kone, my former manager saw my supervisor’s name and said, “Oh, I know him from Nokia times. Mind if I give him a call?” My supervisor gave me a stellar recommendation, and I was hired.

Preparing for Networking

I usually research the person and find something in their bio/LinkedIn/resume/publications/websites that could serve as good common ground. I use that to start a conversation, e.g., “Oh, I noticed you worked on satellites at XYZ company. That seemed interesting to me. I also worked on satellites during my astronomy lessons. I was wondering how you solved ABC using XYZ technology?” Then I find a way to segue into something else.

Finding Offline Networking Opportunities

For tech-related networking, I usually attend AWS Meetup groups and other similar events like Confluence-led meetups or Terraform meetups.

I’ve also gained many networking benefits by attending the AWS Stockholm Summit, where I met AWS experts in the Nordics while improving my knowledge base on cloud technologies.

There are also opportunities to participate in hackathons like Junction, hosted by Aalto University along with other companies. It’s a great way to get noticed by companies.

A huge source of networking for me has been being part of the Finland Young Professional group. Unfortunately, the only way to join is by working for a company that is part of the network, but the good news is that many tech companies in Finland are already members. FYP frequently hosts events like the Hiimos ski break and the Tallinn trip, where group activities turn professional contacts into close friends.

I would suggest finding events where you can showcase your projects and talk about what you have learned and how they can benefit real-life problem-solving.

Podcasts, blogs, and online content shared on social media are also great directions.

Maintaining & Nurturing Professional Networks

The most important thing when you meet someone is to add them on LinkedIn. This opens many channels as your network grows, and someone who knows someone can often help you out when in need.

I’m active in the LinkedIn community, and when a contact posts updates, I often react and comment with encouraging words. This helps keep the connection fresh and reinforces the acquaintance.

I’ve changed companies a couple of times but made sure to keep in touch with former colleagues. Every few months, I suggest going out for dinner, which has kept those bonds alive.

Being genuinely curious about people, adding them on LinkedIn, following up after networking events, and being proactive in organizing or attending tech events, even if you don’t know anyone there, is a great way to get out of your comfort zone.

Networking Mistakes

A few mistakes one could make in networking include: being overly self-promotional, being too aggressive (pushing for referrals or jobs), not expanding beyond your comfort zones, and the biggest one: not preparing for networking events. Showing up without knowing who will be there and having some conversation starters ready can lead to missed opportunities.

Best Advice That Helped Advance My Career

The best advice would be: In life, you get exactly what you ask for. If you don’t know what you want, how to formulate it, or how to ask for it, it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever get it. I’ve never shied away from asking for more, and even one proactive action can lead to ripple effects for the future.

For example, I was a highly inexperienced bachelor’s student in my home country and somehow managed to get into a printing press as a summer intern. There was a visiting technician from the UK who was fixing a packaging machine, and I stood next to him every day, observing and taking notes on what he did. He noticed my curiosity, and when I asked him if he knew of any internship opportunities abroad, he immediately gave me a contact in China. At just 20 years old, I got to do an internship abroad in a production facility, which helped my Master’s applications in Europe. I often think back to that day fondly. If I had never asked for that opportunity, I might not have ended up in Finland.

Gaining More Confidence

I recommend reading How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. The book talks about several tips for improving communication, such as showing curiosity about other people’s lives, remembering people’s names, and listening actively.

Another book worth reading, especially for introverts, is The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck* by Mark Manson. It talks about many mechanisms for navigating life better. A relevant tip is The Spotlight Effect, which, from psychology, means that when we are in public, we tend to think everyone is looking at us. The paradox is that, since everybody thinks this way, they are more aware of themselves than of you. It’s more likely you remember making a fool of yourself than they do. You can use this information to your advantage because it frees you from the fear of making mistakes and helps you stop taking yourself so seriously.

Finally, the last thing I want to say is that, as a proponent of gender-balanced opportunities, research shows that women have been raised not to fail, whereas men have been raised with more freedom to make mistakes. I use this information to inspire myself because a man wouldn’t hesitate to approach a stranger and start a conversation, possibly making mistakes in his career. But women tend to overthink and underdo, which prevents them from even getting those opportunities in the first place. In my opinion, it’s far better to get an opportunity and make a mistake than to try to be perfect and never take any chances at all.

Amplifying Your Voice as a Woman in Tech

Two pieces of advice that stuck with me from Pia Nilsson, Director of Engineering at Spotify, during the Stockholm Summit:

1. If you, as a woman, are doing a lot of glue jobs like organizing social events that contribute positively to the workplace atmosphere, make sure your upper management is aware of that and your role in it. Also, try to set up a rotation cycle so you’re not stuck doing it all by yourself.

2. If, after 4 years of being an engineer, you’re asked to become lead, imagine a few years down the line when you try to lead a team of engineers with 10-14 years of experience. You’ll have no clout to lead them, and you’ll become a default “people leader.”

Also, I believe in the mantra Let action speak louder than words. Go get that certification, go make mistakes, go learn from them, and use facts and reason when discussing problems with colleagues. When you make good points, it’s hard to negate them.

The Constantly Evolving Tech Industry

The best thing (and sometimes the worst) about the tech industry is that it’s constantly evolving. This means a person can have 10 years’ experience coding in Java and still not get a job in software engineering because they don’t know Python or have no experience with other coding languages.

Most tech people are self-taught, and being in tech is largely about being willing to fail, pick yourself up, and start again the next day. Not to undermine seniority, but if there’s any industry where fast learning skills often overtake experience, it’s tech.

There are many stories of young tech startup founders becoming big shots overnight because they dared to dream and take actions, even without experience. Everybody starts somewhere, and it’s never too late to start.

In general, my motto in life is not to compare myself to others but to simply remember we are all on our own journeys and paths.

It’s also about an abundance mindset: There are enough resources and opportunities out there for each of us. There’s no need to compete. All you need is one spot, one opportunity, one person to believe in you. If someone has more experience, it means they’ve put in their time and effort to get there, and if you want to be like them, you must be willing to put in the work and fail just as they have. Let that inspire you rather than demotivate you.

Also, remember you bring unique skills and talents to the table, so there’s no need to be anyone else. Make it your own.

The post Role model blog: Krittika Varmann, F-Secure first appeared on Women in Tech Finland.

by: Tatiana P
Thu, 16 Jan 2025 09:42:00 +0000

Discover your passion for technology and pursue it with all your heart!

My name is Leena, and I am a Business Advisor Consultant and Development Manager at BearingPoint Finland. I have a passion for people leadership and technical development. With over 18 years of experience in the banking industry, I specialize in card payments.

As a consultant, I work on projects for our commercial customers, sharing our expertise through various company initiatives. My customer projects typically involve card payments, where I have served as an Epic Lead, Capability Lead, Project Manager, and Architectural Lead.

In my role as a Development Manager, I ensure the professional growth and engagement of our employees with the company and their projects. I take great pleasure in enabling people to succeed and grow, and I am proud to help customer companies implement more secure, flexible, and efficient solutions. It is important to me that the outcomes of my work lead to meaningful improvements.

Finding my way in technology

I hold a Master’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Technology. However, my study path wasn’t clear from the start. When I graduated from high school, I didn’t initially see technology as my field. I was good at math, but at the time, it was more connected to business than technology. I first studied economics, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, and began my career in a bank. I was 21 when I graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration. After working in various positions in a bank for seven years, I realized that having a Master’s degree would be beneficial for gaining more expertise in finance. Therefore, I pursued a Master’s in Economics.

After graduation, I transitioned into digital solution development within the bank. These assignments involved digital development and improving processes, services, and products, which required a better understanding of technical solutions. I noticed a gap between engineer coders and top management economists in the finance industry. They spoke different languages, and I wanted to bridge that gap. This realization led me to pursue a degree in technology. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and then a Master’s in Technology, focusing on digital services.

As you can see, my study path has always followed my work. I have studied according to the needs I observed in my field. Technology has become increasingly important in the financial sector over the decades. Understanding the technology behind banking and financial services is crucial. I found my drive and passion by expanding my knowledge from business to technology.

Working at BearingPoint

At BearingPoint, I feel heard. I can express my interests and where I want to grow. I have a say in where I work and the types of projects I take on. The best part of my job is diversity. I can focus on leadership and people engagement through traditional organizational leadership as well as customer projects. I work in areas that interest me, and I always learn a lot when moving from one customer to another. We also have the opportunity to expand our expertise based on our interests and customer requests.

BearingPoint is a global management and technology consulting firm that bridges the gap between business and IT for our clients. Our approach is hands-on, working as part of the client’s delivery teams. Additionally, I can participate in other BearingPoint initiatives according to my interests and take on roles within the company that align with my development goals and capabilities.

At our company, people are our most valuable resource, so they are at the centre of everything we do. We work across team lines and countries, and we are encouraged to express our interests for personal development. I feel that I can be open about my work preferences and responsibilities.

Leena Latvala-Heinonen, Business Advisor Consultant and Development Manager at BearingPoint Finland

Keeping yourself updated

I use various techniques to stay up to date. It’s important to keep track of vendors who are developing different solutions. Collaboration with them is crucial. Additionally, self-motivation, exploration, and observation are always beneficial. In short, vendor collaboration and proactive thinking are essential for integrating new technology into different types of companies.

When I listen to podcasts or read blogs, I focus on how people feel when they face changes in the technical setup. In technology, we sometimes forget that we are leading people, not just technology. It’s important to understand why there is resistance at times and why there can be a gap between top management and the people enabling technical development.

On the impact of AI

AI enables people to work more efficiently through automation. It allows us to use our time better, focusing on decision-making instead of manual reporting or monitoring. I also see significant benefits in AI’s ability to process data, supporting decision-making and risk management activities.

I don’t see AI replacing people’s jobs. Currently, customer experience is often enhanced by AI-supported chatbots, which free up time for more complex customer cases. AI can handle simpler questions and administrative tasks, allowing us to focus on more interesting and engaging work, thereby improving employee engagement.

However, it is crucial to clearly define and communicate AI usage to ensure data privacy, ethicality, and accuracy. This transparency will help secure common acceptance and understanding of AI’s benefits among employees and customers.

Skills in IT and technology

When working with IT and technology, you need a variety of skills. One of the most important is problem-solving. I am a problem-solver both at work and in my private life. In problem-solving, it’s crucial to understand the real issue, which people can’t always articulate. I have tried to follow advice from one of my previous managers: “Stand tall and represent what you believe in, but be humble and respectful towards others, as they are the ones who can help you grow and succeed.”

This highlights another important skill: the ability to listen and understand. Listening is crucial in the IT field. You must grasp the real problem, as people often need help to express their actual issues. Sometimes, the reasons they give are not the real reasons. Therefore, the ability to listen and identify the root cause of problems is pivotal.

Understanding and solving problems also requires expertise in solutions. With technical solutions and software developing rapidly, you need to be a quick learner of current solutions and technical possibilities.

Project management, change management, and stakeholder management skills are essential if you want to lead technical development and innovations. During projects and technical changes, there might be resistance to change. Not everyone likes change, and people cope with innovation differently. It’s important to understand why this resistance occurs. This is a crucial skill to consider when undertaking any technical project or working with people in general.

Life outside work

Work-life balance is very important to me. When you have a good work-life balance, you become more proactive at work. It’s also important to take breaks and spend your free time with friends. Focusing on something completely different from your line of business can be beneficial. You might even discover a new passion.

Playing the guitar is my relaxing hobby. When I play, I focus entirely on the music and forget about work, which helps me maintain a good balance in my free time. Playing an instrument has made it easier for me to achieve work-life balance because it requires me to set aside my work thoughts while I learn and practice.

Work towards your passion

We all spend a significant amount of time studying or working, and it can sometimes be hard or frustrating. To stay energized and satisfied, it’s important to find your passion. Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t found it yet. Keep exploring what inspires you and pursue it wholeheartedly. Ignore excuses or blockers like “no time” or “not good enough.” Try new things and discover where your passion lies.

From my experience, the field of technology offers a broader range of assignments and positions than commonly understood. Don’t confine yourself to a predefined career path. Listen to yourself and your passions. This will guide you to the best career path uniquely suited for you.

The post Role model blog: Leena Latvala-Heinonen, BearingPoint first appeared on Women in Tech Finland.

Breaking into the IT industry can be both exciting and challenging, especially for women in a traditionally male-dominated field. These ten practical tips are designed to empower, inspire, and provide actionable advice for women looking to carve out a successful career in technology.

1. Build a Strong Foundation

• Begin by learning the core concepts of IT, whether it's programming, networking, system administration, or another area that excites you. Start with beginner-friendly resources like free coding bootcamps, online platforms such as Coursera or edX, or even community college classes. Don’t rush—take the time to truly understand the fundamentals, as they will be the building blocks for your career.

• Tip: Focus on hands-on practice. Setting up a personal project, like building a website or configuring a home server, will make your learning more concrete and engaging.

2. Seek Mentorship and Allies

• Finding a mentor can accelerate your learning and provide a support system as you navigate your career. Look for someone who has experience in your field and aligns with your values. Organizations like Women in Technology (WIT), Black Girls CODE, or local meetup groups can connect you with mentors and peers.

• Tip: Don’t limit mentorship to formal programs. Informal relationships, such as learning from a senior colleague or participating in discussion forums, can be equally valuable.

3. Join and Contribute to Communities

• IT thrives on collaboration. Join communities where you can learn, ask questions, and share your experiences. Platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit (subreddits like r/learnprogramming or r/sysadmin), GitHub, and Discord are great starting points.

• Tip: Actively participate. Sharing your journey, posting about challenges you’ve overcome, or simply engaging with others’ questions can help build your reputation and confidence.

4. Cultivate Soft Skills

• While technical skills are crucial, IT professionals often collaborate across teams and departments. Developing soft skills like communication, empathy, and adaptability will set you apart. Practice presenting your ideas clearly, whether in emails, meetings, or technical documentation.

• Tip: Seek opportunities to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences. This will not only improve your communication skills but also deepen your understanding of the subject.

5. Stay Current with Technology Trends

• IT evolves rapidly, and staying informed is key. Subscribe to tech newsletters, follow industry leaders on platforms like Twitter, and regularly explore new tools or technologies. Attend conferences (many offer virtual attendance) to network and learn from experts.

• Tip: Dedicate specific time each week to professional development. Consistency, even if it’s just an hour, will keep you ahead of the curve.

6. Build Confidence Through Action

• Confidence comes from doing. It’s natural to doubt yourself, but every small success will build your belief in your abilities. Remember, imposter syndrome is common in IT, and even seasoned professionals experience it.

• Tip: Keep a journal of your achievements, whether it’s debugging a challenging error, finishing a project, or learning a new concept. Reflecting on your progress will reinforce your confidence.

7. Identify Your Niche

• IT is a vast field with endless opportunities. Whether it’s cybersecurity, cloud computing, DevOps, or data analysis, find an area that excites you and aligns with your strengths. Exploring different roles early on will help you discover your passion.

• Tip: Volunteer for projects at work or in your community to gain exposure to different IT areas without the pressure of committing to a specific career path.

8. Invest in Certifications and Continuous Learning

• Certifications can validate your skills and make your resume stand out. Start with entry-level certifications like CompTIA A+, Network+, or Google IT Support Professional Certificate. As you advance, consider specialized certifications like AWS, Cisco, or Microsoft Azure.

• Tip: Choose certifications that align with your career goals, and don’t be afraid to ask your employer for sponsorship—they often support continuing education.

9. Advocate for Diversity and Inclusion

• Women have a unique perspective that is vital to the IT industry. Join initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in tech, and use your voice to foster an environment that welcomes others from underrepresented groups.

• Tip: Amplify the voices of others. Share their work, encourage participation, and support colleagues who may not feel confident speaking up.

10. Celebrate Your Wins and Prioritize Self-Care

• IT careers can be demanding, but it’s important to recognize your progress and give yourself credit for your hard work. Taking breaks and setting boundaries is equally crucial for long-term success.

• Tip: Celebrate milestones, big or small, with something meaningful—a treat, a day off, or even just sharing your accomplishment with friends or a supportive community.

Top 5 Positions to Start Your IT Career

1. Help Desk Technician

   • Average Salary: $40,000 - $55,000/year

   • Best Cities: Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle, Austin

   • Schooling Requirements: A high school diploma or equivalent is often sufficient, but an associate degree in IT or a CompTIA A+ certification can give you an edge.

   • A great entry-level position where you’ll gain experience troubleshooting hardware, software, and network issues while building customer service skills.

2. Junior Developer

   • Average Salary: $55,000 - $80,000/year

   • Best Cities: San Francisco, New York City, Austin, Boston, Denver

   • Schooling Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or software engineering is common, but bootcamp graduates or self-taught individuals with a strong portfolio are increasingly hired.

   • Perfect for those interested in programming. You’ll assist in writing and maintaining code under the guidance of senior developers.

3. IT Support Specialist

   • Average Salary: $50,000 - $65,000/year

   • Best Cities: Phoenix, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Portland, Tampa

   • Schooling Requirements: Typically requires a high school diploma and certifications like CompTIA Network+ or Google IT Support Professional Certificate. Some employers prefer an associate degree in IT.

   • Focused on maintaining and troubleshooting computer systems, this role offers a broad understanding of IT operations.

4. System Administrator

   • Average Salary: $65,000 - $85,000/year

   • Best Cities: Washington D.C., Charlotte, Houston, Minneapolis, San Diego

   • Schooling Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field is preferred. Certifications like Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator or CompTIA Server+ are highly valued.

   • Ideal for those who enjoy working with servers and networks. You’ll manage and configure systems, ensuring smooth operations.

5. Cybersecurity Analyst

   • Average Salary: $75,000 - $100,000/year

   • Best Cities: Washington D.C., San Jose, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami

   • Schooling Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, information security, or computer science is often required. Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH can significantly enhance your credentials.

   • Start securing networks, monitoring for threats, and addressing vulnerabilities—a growing and highly rewarding field.

Final Thoughts

Starting a career in IT is not just about technical skills, it’s about resilience, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. The tech world is better when diverse voices and perspectives are represented. Your journey matters, and your contributions will inspire others. Together, let’s continue breaking barriers and building a more inclusive and innovative industry.

by: Women in Technology

As a woman navigating the world of tech and subsequently leadership, you’re likely all too familiar with the unique challenges that come with the territory. Whether it’s battling imposter syndrome or finding your voice in rooms where you might be the only woman, the journey can sometimes feel overwhelming. One thing I’ve learned through my own experience is that you don’t have to go it alone. In fact, mentorship has been one of the most important elements in my own growth, and it continues to shape how I approach my career.

But here’s the thing: mentorship isn’t just about having one person by your side throughout your entire career. Your needs change as you grow, and the mentors who help you early on might not be the same ones who guide you when you’re at a senior leadership level. The beauty of mentorship lies in its fluidity, allowing you to seek out different people at different stages of your career to help tackle the challenges you’re facing in that moment.

When I think back to some of the biggest hurdles I’ve faced as a woman in tech leadership, it’s clear that they were not just about technical competence. Sure, mastering technology skills was critical early on, but as I grew into leadership roles, the challenges became more nuanced. There was the pressure to prove myself in a field where women are still underrepresented, the occasional frustration of having my ideas dismissed in meetings, and the delicate balance between being empathetic and authoritative—a balance that women often feel they must manage more carefully than men.

You may have felt the same way—wondering how to assert yourself without being labeled as “too aggressive,” or finding that work-life balance is an ongoing struggle, especially if you’re juggling family responsibilities alongside the demands of your role. These challenges are real, and they can sometimes make you question whether you belong in the room at all. But you do. And this is where mentorship becomes so important.

In the early stages of my career, I sought out mentors who could help me sharpen my technical skills and build confidence. One of my first mentors was my manager at Freddie Mac—Angie Enciso. Angie was assertive, a thorough technologist and data engineer. The larger the problem, the calmer Angie became. I approached her expressing my desire to learn from her style and being transparent of how nervous production support calls would make me as a brand-new NOC Sybase DBA. Angie taught me how to handle the pressure of tight deadlines while still delivering high-quality work. I leaned on her guidance as I found my footing in a complex field.

Then there was female leader in my tenure with Fannie Mae who taught me how to operate in male-dominated executive spaces, providing insights I wouldn’t have been able to see from my own perspective. She wasn’t just a strategic advisor—she helped me understand the unwritten rules of networking and how to ensure that my voice was heard even when I felt overlooked.

Later on, as I transitioned into leadership, the nature of my mentorship relationships changed. When I joined Capital One, I did not have the experience of managing large teams. I had been a people leader before, but nothing could prepare me for the scale I was required to operate at within Capital One. I found a great mentor in my leader Raghu Valluri who helped me see the bigger picture—how to lead teams, navigate corporate politics, and make decisions that had a broad impact. He was instrumental in helping me develop a leadership style that was true to myself, even when the pressure was to conform to traditional, sometimes rigid, leadership molds. Through that mentor-mentee relationship, I found my footing and effective ways to lead my team through multi-million-dollar initiatives which had significant revenue and partnership impacts for the larger organization.

Very recently, I transitioned back to federal contracting and was contemplating establishing my venture in the field. I leaned on mentorship again and approached Gautam Ijoor, the CEO of Alpha Omega and unashamedly asked for the opportunity to establish a mentor-mentee relationship. Gautam was kind, made time for me from his extremely busy schedule and graciously guided me through a process which helped me realize the very goals I was intending to walk towards. It was through those conversations and eventual contemplation that I realized how I can effectively navigate the next steps in my career journey.

These experiences taught me that mentorship is not about sticking with one person for the long haul. Instead, it is about finding the right people who can help you with specific challenges as they arise. The mentor who guides you through technical growth may not be the same one who helps you navigate the boardroom. And that is ok. 

One thing I’ve come to believe strongly is the importance of having diverse mentors. Just as you need a variety of skills to succeed in leadership, you also need different perspectives to tackle the challenges that come your way. Whether it’s a mentor who’s walked in your shoes as a woman in tech or someone who offers a completely different viewpoint, having a range of voices to turn to is invaluable.

For women in tech leadership having both male and female mentors can offer a well-rounded perspective. Female mentors can share their experiences of navigating the same biases and barriers you might be facing. They can offer practical advice on how to make your voice heard, how to lead authentically, and how to manage the constant balancing act of work and life. Meanwhile, male mentors can help you understand the dynamics of male-dominated spaces, giving you insights into how to succeed without losing your sense of self.

Mentoring Others: Paying it Forward

As I’ve progressed in my own career, one of the things that brings me the most satisfaction is mentoring others. There’s something incredibly rewarding about helping someone else see their potential and guiding them through the same obstacles I once faced. I’ve mentored people at various stages of their careers, and one thing I always emphasize is that you don’t have to do it all alone.

If there’s one piece of advice I can offer from my own experience, it’s this: don’t be afraid to seek out mentorship throughout your entire career. You don’t need to have all the answers, and you certainly don’t have to figure everything out on your own. By finding mentors who understand your challenges—whether it’s mastering technical skills, building leadership confidence, or navigating the complexities of work-life balance—you can grow in ways you never thought possible.

And as you grow, remember to pay it forward. Mentoring others isn’t just about giving back; it’s about continuing the cycle of growth, empowerment, and inclusion in an industry that needs more diverse voices. Together, we can create a tech leadership landscape where more women thrive—and where mentorship plays a pivotal role in making that possible.

If you’re looking for direction and knowledge for career advancement and success, or have insight to pass on to professional women, learn more about the WIT Mentor-Protégé program here: https://www.womenintechnology.org/mentor-protege-program

Reha Malik is Vice President of Data and ML tech at Alpha Omega, Technology Executive, Graduate teaching faculty at George Mason University and WIT Member

My the year is flying by. I haven’t written in a while - not for a lack of thoughts, but because time, life, probably could be time managing better but oh :whale:. We’re back though - so let’s talk work community. During this year’s Black in Data Week, there was a question during my session about how to get to know people organically and ask questions without fear when you start a new job. After sharing what has worked for me, the lady with the question came back to me with positive feedback that all the ideas were helpful. I didn’t think anything of it until Wellington, one of my friendlies from the app whose mama named it Twitter, twote this and had me thinking:

Nothing like having a manager who needs to be convinced your growth matters. It changes your days in small paper cut ways that add up. Get you a community that will vouch for you enough that their voices weigh just as much if not more than any manager you have. https://t.co/Hfh1N3ZwLn

— Sia, Mackie fan club prez (@siawayforward) July 31, 2024

He’s so right. No one is going to care about your career more than you do. However, one of the people who can make the effort to drive your development is your manager. Wellington and I had an additional exchange in which he echoed how important community is. This brought me back to June and that lady’s question during BID week - so I thought to share, in a less ephemeral format, what building a community at work looks like.

About Chasing Management

Before I share some tips, one sword I always fall on is - chase great management. If you can afford to extend a job search because you think you could get a better manager than the one who is offering you a job, do it. Managers are like a great orchestra during a fancy event. You don’t think about the background music when it’s playing and you’re eating your food (this is what I imagine from all those movies :joy:). But you will KNOW if it’s bad because something will sound off and irk your ears. When you are flying high and your manager is unblocking things, providing you chances to contribute, and running a smooth operation, you hardly think of them when you wake up in the morning - you just do your job. But if they’re not good at what they do, you could wake up in the morning thinking “ugh - I gotta go work with/for this person?”. It changes the temperature in the room. So if you can afford an extra two weeks on a job search to ask questions and get the best available manager on the market, consider investing in your mentals for the long term :heavy_exclamation_mark:

I’m sure you’re like yeah great, Sia - how do I do that? Well not to toot toot, but here are some questions I like asking to learn a bit more about my potential new culture. Additionally, listen to one of my favorite humans and leaders, Taylor Poindexter, in this episode of the Code Newbie podcast talking about creating psychological safety at work (shout out to Saron and the team!). Taylor has been one of my champions at work and such a great manager for her team - I’m always a little envious I’m not on it :pleading_face: but I digress. Keep winning, my girl!

Additionally, I’ll start here a list of the best leaders I know - either from personal experience working with and/or for them, interviewing to work on their teams, or from second hand knowledge of someone (I trust) else’s 1st hand experience. As of this writing, they will be listed with a workplace they’re currently in and only if they publicly share it on the internet.

• Taylor Poindexter, Engineering Manager II @ Spotify (Web, Full Stack Engineering)
• Angie Jones, Global VP of Developer Relations @ TBD/Block
• Kamana Sharma (Full Stack, Web, and Data Engineering)
• Nivia Henry, Director of Engineering
• Bryan Bischof (Data/ML/AI)
• Jasmine Vasandani (Data Science, Data Products)
• Dee Wolter (Accounting, Tax)
• Divya Narayanan (Engineering, ML)
• Dr. Russell Pierce (Data/ML/Computer Vision)
• Marlena Alhayani (Engineering)
• Andrew Cheong (Backend Engineering) - I’m still trying to convince him he’ll be the best leader ever, still an IC :joy:

This is off the top of my head at 1:12am while watching a badminton match between Spain and US women round of 16, so I may have forgotten someone, my bad - will keep revisiting and updating as I remember and learn about more humans I aspire to work with.

Now the kinda maybe not so good news - you cannot control your manager circumstances all the time. Reorgs, layoffs, people advancing and leaving companies happen. And if you’ve had the privilege of working with great managers, they will leave because they are top of the line so everyone wants to work with them. That’s where community matters. You can’t put all your career development eggs in one managerial basket. Noooooow let’s talk about how you can do that!! (I know, loooong tangent, but we’re getting there).

Building Community at Work (Finally :roll_eyes:)

Let’s start with the (should be but not always) obvious here - you are building genuine relationships. They therefore can’t be transactional. This is about creating a sustainable community that carries the load together, and not giving you tips on how to be the tick that takes from everyone without giving back. With that,…

Find onboarding buddies

There are people you started working on the same day with. They will likely have the most in common with you from a workplace perspective. If you happen to run into one of these folks, check in about what’s working and share tips that may have worked for you. When I first started working at my current job, I e-met Andy - a senior backend engineer. We chatted randomly in Slack the first few weeks while working on onboarding projects and found out that we would be working in sister orgs. Whenever I had questions, I’d ask him what he’s learning and every so often we’d “run into each other” in our team work slacks. Sometimes Andy would even help review PRs for me because I had to write Java, and ya girl does not live there. How sweet is that? Medium story short, that’s my work friend he a real good eng … you know the rest!

Ask all the questions!!

Remember that lady I told you about in the beginning? She had said (paraphrasing) Sia - I just got hired, how do I not look dumb asking questions and they just hired me? My response was they hired you for your skill on the market, not your knowledge of the company. You are expected to have a learning curve so take advantage of that to meet people by asking questions. If you have a Slack channel, activate those hidden helpers - they exist. You may know a lot about the coolest framework, but what about the review and releases process? What about how request for changes are handled? Maybe you see some code that seems off to you - it could be that it’s an intentional patch. The only way to know these idiosyncracies is to ask. I promise you someone else is also wondering, and by asking, you are

• Making it less scary for others to ask
• Increasing the knowledge sharing culture at your org/team/company
• Learning faster than you would if you tried to be your own hero (there’s a place and time, don’t overdo it when you’re new and waste time recreating a wheel)

One of the best pieces of feedback I ever received at a workplace was that my curiosity and pace of learning is so fast. And to keep asking the questions. I’m summarizing here but that note was detailed and written so beautifully, it made me cry :sob:. It came from one of my favorite people who I have a 1:1 with in a few hours and who started out as … my first interviewer!

Who interviewed you?

Remember Andrew from my list of favorite leaders above? That’s who wrote that tearjerking note (one of many by the way). He was the person who gave my first technical screen when I was applying for my current job. After I got hired, I reached out and thanked him and hoped we would cross paths. And from above, you know now that he is also one of the best Slack helpers ever. Whenever I ask a question and see “Andrew is typing…”, I grab some tea and a snack because I’m about to learn something soooo well, the experience needs to be savoured.

That first note to say, hey thank you for a great interview experience I made it has led to one of the best work sibling I’ve ever had. I also did the same with the recruiter and the engineering manager who did my behavioral interview. I should note - at my job, you don’t necessarily get interviewed with the teammates you’ll potentially work with. None of these folks have been my actual teammates, but we check in from time to time, and look out for each other. The manager was a machine learning engineering manager, Andrew is a backend person, I’m a data engineer - none of that matters. Community is multi-dimensional :heart:

I got all my sister teams and me

When you’re learning and onboarding, you get to meet your teammates and learn about your domain. It is likely your team is not working in a vacuum. Your customers are either other teams, or customers - which means you have to verify things with other teams to serve external customers. That’s a great way to form relationships. You are going to be seeing these folks a lot when you work together, you may as well set up a 1:1 for 20 minutes to meet and greet. It may not go anywhere in the beginning, but as you work on different projects, your conversations add up, you learn about each other’s ways of working and values (subconciously sometimes), and trade stories. It all adds up - that’s :sparkles: community :sparkles:

Be nosy, Rosie

Ok this last one is for the brave. As a hermit, I’m braver in writing vs in person so I use that to my advantage. This is an extension of asking all the questions beyond onboarding questions. You ever run into a document or see a presentation shared in a meeting, and you want to know more? You could reach out to the presenters and ask follow up questions, check in with your teammates about how said thing impacts/touches your team, or just learn something new that increases your t-shaped (breadth of) knowledge. Over time, this practice has a two-fold benefit.

• You get more context beyond your team which makes you more valuable in the long run because you end up living at the intersection of things and understand how everyone is connected. For me, whenever I’m in a meeting and someone says “our team is working on changing system X to start doing Y”, I’m able to see how that change affects multiple systems and teams, if there are folks who are not aware of the change who should know about it to plan ahead, and also how it changes planning for your team. This leads us back to our community thing because…
• You inadvertently build community by becoming someone your teammates and other teams (even leaders!) trust to translate information between squads or assist in unblocking inter-team or inter-org efforts. This is how I’ve been able to keep people in mind when thinking of projects and in turn they do the same. It also helped me get promoted as far as I’m concerned (earlier this year). You see, reader, I switched managers and teams a few months before performance review season. And the people in the room deciding on promotions were never my managers. They were all folks from other teams that I’d worked on projects with and because of the curiosity of understanding our intersections and being able to contribute to connected work, they knew enough about me to put their names on paper and say get that girl a bonus, promo, and title upgrade. I appreciate them dearly :heart:

So what did we learn?

All these things boil down to

• Finding your tribe from common contexts
• Leading with gratitude and having a teamwork mindset
• Staying curious a.k.a always be learning

Play the long game and don’t be transactional in your interactions. Works every time.

So as we now watch the 1500M men’s qualifiers of track and field at 3:13am, I hope you keep driving the car on your career and finding your tribe wherever it is you land. And congratulations to all your favorite Olympians!!