Entering the tech industry is a mix of opportunities, skills, and pure luck. For many of us, breaking into BigTech felt more like winning a lottery ticket than following a structured path. However, there is one methodical action to change that.
And when I say I had luck, it’s not because I lack intelligence, determination, or grit. I possess all of these qualities, as do many others reading this post. There are likely individuals who are even smarter, more determined, and facing higher stakes.
I harbored ambition from a young age, and upon graduation, I was determined to make a name for myself. With nobody to take for and ample time for dedicated work, I burned countless hours. However, for many engineers, including myself, talent and hard work alone are insufficient.
What I lacked was someone to prevent me from making foolish choices or guide me towards the right decisions when I was not brave enough. I needed guidance, experience, and a mentor to navigate the complexities of life. Without these pillars of support, I found myself facing challenges without the necessary experience, often stumbling through the unknown. Each failure served as a learning opportunity that shaped and fueled my ambition, but not everyone aspiring to enter tech has the luxury of time.
If you juggle two jobs, have a child, or care for someone, you understand that time is a limited resource. Mentorship can assist everyone to utilize their best skills to secure the best opportunities available. But most of them lack the networking opportunities or contacts that could accelerate their career or help them break into tech.
Finding the right mentor and mentorship is challenging. You might need multiple mentors, especially if your background encompasses diverse elements that make it difficult to find someone with a similar background. This is why mentoring others is a perfect way to give back, especially for those of us from uncommon origins.
I take pride in possessing an ever-growing collection of failures and a keen sense of self-awareness. I can retrospectively pinpoint moments in my career when I made suboptimal decisions, such as not taking a job offer in NY or not preparing adequately for certain interview. I don’t regret my background and choices; everything has helped me get to where I am. Most failures resulted not from a lack of intelligence or ambition but from the absence of the right mentorship or guidance.
If you find yourself in this situation, consider reaching out to the vast community of professionals in the tech industry. Connect with individuals who have walked similar paths and can offer valuable insights. Seek mentorship from those who have faced challenges and triumphed, as their experiences can serve as a beacon to guide you through the intricate landscape of the tech world.
Remember that mentorship is a reciprocal relationship, and by seeking guidance, you also contribute to the growth of the mentor. Embrace the diversity of mentors; each one can provide a unique perspective that complements your journey. Whether you are balancing multiple responsibilities or dealing with the complexities of a diverse background, there are mentors out there who understand and can offer support.
Don’t let the absence of guidance hinder your progress. Reach out, share your story, and build connections. In doing so, you not only pave the way for your success but also contribute to the collective strength of a community that thrives on shared knowledge and support.