30572_Kao Data Critical Careers_Pages - Flipbook - Page 47
What has surprised you about being
a woman in digital infrastructure?
How is it now having a seat at
the table?
hat surprised me the most was realising I didn’t
need to conform to being “one of the guys” to
succeed or belong. Early in my career, coming
from male-dominated 昀椀elds like construction and CPA work,
I took pride in being accepted as part of the group, often
hearing, “You’re one of the guys.” At the time, I thought
that was the only way to be successful in such environments.
W
W
Over time, though, I’ve come to understand it isn’t about
昀椀tting into the existing mold—it is about showing up as
my authentic self. It’s fantastic to be a woman, and women
bring valuable perspectives and strengths to the table. That
realization became even clearer when I started participating
in women’s groups and collaborating with other women
in the industry. That highlighted for me the importance of
creating inclusive spaces where women aren’t just accepted
but are fully embraced and valued.
When there’s only one woman on a team, it can feel
isolating. But as teams grow and more women enter the
space, there’s a shift in dynamics that opens doors for
greater collaboration and inclusion. That’s why I encourage
women to get involved in supportive networks—they
reinforce the idea that women belong here, which then
creates more opportunities for others to join. Let’s make it a
horseshoe instead of a circle so more people can join
the group.
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hat stands out most is the collaborative and
welcoming nature of the community. It’s an
industry where people genuinely respect
expertise, and once you’ve proven yourself, you’ll 昀椀nd
supportive colleagues alongside you.
Right now, the industry is experiencing a period of
abundance driven by AI which is reshaping tech on
a scale not seen since the invention of the PC. This
abundance fosters collaboration—even among
competitors—because there’s a shared understanding
that the opportunities are vast, and success can
be mutual. Partnerships are forming in ways that
encourage innovation and progress.
Our industry also re昀氀ects some of the bigger
challenges we are facing as a society. There is a
dedication to sustainability, DEI, and collaboration
re昀氀ects the collective values of many in the 昀椀eld.
Personally, I’ve found that aligning my job with
companies committed to sustainability and DEI has
been crucial to how I feel coming into work each day.
It’s deeply rewarding to be part of a company that is
not only the backbone of modern technology but also
cares about people and the planet.
