Our Women In Tech forum has been meeting regularly to address the issue of inclusion in our industry. In the first of a series of interviews, Jessica Wilson, our DEI Program Manager, spoke to Victoria Muehlhaupt, our Head of Customer Success Management, Midmarket, about her experiences.
What led you to pursue a career in tech and what challenges have you overcome?
I don’t have a technical background. I studied foreign languages in university and never really saw myself working in a tech company when I was younger.
Starting my career in tech and understanding that there is a need to bridge the gap between IT and the business really made me want to pursue this path. I’m glad I was approached by LeanIX on LinkedIn, because it opened the door for me to understand more about the tech domain.
A challenge that I have overcome in this is taking a chance on something that you were never told you were good at. Going back to school now, I would have maybe made different decisions about my studies.
For little girls, the stereotype of being inferior at scientific disciplines still exists and keeps them from pursuing careers they might be a perfect fit for.
Do you think diversity and inclusion has improved in tech over the last few years?
While progress has been made, we can always aim to do better and ensure that all under-represented groups have an equal chance to thrive in this field. I think we should set tangible key performance indicators (KPIs) for the diversity we want to achieve - 50% of new hires identifying as women, for example - and deliver on these.
Do you think the rise of remote and hybrid working has helped improve inclusion?
Building an inclusive culture in remote or hybrid environments, however, requires intentional effort to ensure effective communication and engagement. It also requires an even bigger effort on making minorities visible and sharing their stories.
What's the best piece of advice you've received about working in tech?
In a domain where you feel like you don’t have the same knowledge as others, asking questions is essential. It also teaches the more technical people to make information accessible for people without a tech background.
Do you feel that the responsibilities of childcare are more even now than they were?
There's a lot that needs to change on a country and society level, but of course, companies can help with supporting child care, parental leave for non-birth parents, and introducing a 'returners' program to facilitate coming back to work for the people who have taken time off.
Racial diversity and LGBT+ rights are equal challenges to gender equality in tech. Do you see all diversity and inclusion as one struggle or as parallel issues with their own unique facets?
Gender diversity is something we have been discussing and improving for a longer time, so I see a big potential in getting this right today. It has the potential to be the model for other minorities to strive for equality.
We need to use the improvements we implement to create a supportive and inclusive work environment for everyone.
What is the biggest change you'd like to see in the tech industry to support women?
Making this change starts with early child education and showcasing women who have achieved a career in tech.
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