How Identity Has Influenced an IT Manager's Career at an Industry Leader
Freida's career in IT as a woman has been significantly impacted by the male-dominated environment, especially early on where there was a desire "to be treated like a man." Finding support from other women in tech, acting as a mentor, and having supportive male allies helped overcome challenges like "imposter syndrome" and made Industry leader's voice heard, reinforcing the importance of diversity in creating a more collaborative and inclusive environment.
Women in Tech, Mentorship, Diversity and Inclusion, Imposter Syndrome, Supportive Work Environment
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Freida Kreitzer
IT Manager
Industry leader
UC Berkeley
Philosophy
Technology
Cyber Security and IT
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Navigating male-dominated IT environments as a woman can be challenging, highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion in tech companies for a more collaborative environment.
2. Seeking and providing support from/to other women in technical positions is crucial for navigating the tech industry and combating feelings of imposter syndrome.
3. Mentorship, from both women and men, plays a vital role in building confidence and ensuring a woman's voice is heard in the tech industry.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a woman in the tech industry, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
It's greatly impacted it. When I started out, I was very naive and wanted to be treated like a man. I was in predominantly male environments.
I was in many companies where I was the only woman that worked there, or definitely the only woman that worked in an IT position. There are more women in software and cybersecurity positions than there are in IT, and that's very few women already.
I ended up seeking support from those women in other technical positions. Hopefully, I'm always here for that. But it's been a challenge throughout my career, and it shouldn't be.
I think diversity at companies is incredibly important for this reason. The companies I've been at that have women in tech, I find there's a better, collaborative environment. It's great to have creative ideas from a different audience.
I will say I've been very fortunate to find really supportive women in my career that have been great mentors. I hear the phrase imposter syndrome a lot, and I feel like that's mainly geared toward women, or women end up being conflicted with that a lot.
Getting support and confidence from a mentor, just knowing that you absolutely belong, is crucial. I've also found very supportive men as well in my career who have helped make my voice heard.