In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, we’ve taken the opportunity to hear from our teammates about their experiences and perspectives as women in the tech. By highlighting these insights, we aim to provide perspective to inspire and empower girls and women aspiring to enter the world of technology.
Part of the mission for this day is to elevate and advance gender equality in technology and celebrate the women driving innovation. This year, we’re shining a spotlight on some of our very own women in tech here at CallHarbor.
Our colleagues share their stories on how they got into tech and their insights on being in this historically male-dominated industry. If you’re seeking inspiration, motivation, and connection on the path toward a more inclusive world and want to learn more about the field of technology, feel free to delve into the following information.
Jumping into the interview
Tell us a little bit about yourself – name, position, how many years in tech?
Payton Kilgore: My name is Payton Kilgore and I am a sales and marketing associate here at CallHarbor and I have been working in tech for 6 months.
Anna Kubit: Hi! My name is Anna Kubit, and I’m an onboarding technician here at CallHarbor. This is my third year working in tech.
Bailey Terrell: Hi, I’m Bailey Terrell – Channel Sales & Marketing Director at CallHarbor. I’ve been in tech for 4 years this month!
How did you become interested/introduced to VoIP?
Payton: I had worked in a call center for three years while I was in college getting my Bachelors of Communications, when I started looking for jobs where I would be able to apply my education I found CallHarbor and found out I could use both my education and my call center experience to help businesses and companies find the best solution for their communication needs.
Anna: I’ll be honest – I actually had no clue what VoIP was before I applied to CallHarbor!
Bailey: VoIP was not something I specifically knew about or found an interest in until I worked for CallHarbor. When I applied for the job with CallHarbor and began exploring the world of VoIP, I knew I’d end up getting immersed in it. I’ve always found a passion in being in an industry that is everchanging and keeps me wanting to learn more. From having jobs in the automotive and law industries, I also became passionate about taking a topic that can be complicated for someone that isn’t educated about it, and helping them understand it.
What is the best part about being a woman in tech?
Payton: Although I have not been in the industry long, I have been welcomed with open arms by so many supportive and kind women that have been teaching me and helping me navigate this industry. These women have been the best part of being a women in tech because I know there is a strong group supporting me and rooting for my success.
Anna: I think the best part of being woman in tech is the built-in community. I’m so grateful to all the women who have mentored me.
Bailey: The best part about being a woman in tech is the community that comes along with it. When I entered the tech field, I felt that I was only working with men and was always surrounded by men. While I still felt that I could excel in my career this way, I knew I wanted to seek out the comradery of other women in the industry. I became part of the Alliance of Channel Women, and began to build relationships with other women in the industry. Being a woman in tech is not always easy, but being surrounded by other amazing, strong women in the industry is inspiring and invigorating. I’ve recognized that the ability of women to create a network of support and share information plays a critical role in elevating our presence in the tech industry. Through cultivating strong networks with peers, mentors, and sponsors, women can build supportive relationships that foster collaboration, innovation, and success in the industry – and that is the best part about being a woman in tech.
What is it like working as a woman in the tech world?
Payton: It’s fun! There are so many people in this field that have welcomed me with open arms and have helped me get settled!
Anna: Working as a woman in the tech industry is empowering. Actively networking and building a supportive community with fellow women has been so important.
Bailey: Working as a woman in the tech world is challenging but extremely rewarding. Once you have a solid support system, it becomes easier to find your voice and continue to challenge yourself. Being a woman in tech is fun and exciting, and there are amazing men & women to meet and network with.
What do you see for the future of women in tech?
Payton: I see more women entering the field of technology. This field is forever changing and I think that many more women and young girls are being educated about technology and are looking to join the field.
Anna: I hope more women will join the field! I think as more young girls and women see themselves represented, they’ll be more likely to pursue a career in tech.
Bailey: I believe that the future for women in tech is bright. I was reading the 2023 Women in the Workplace report by Lean In & McKinsey’s, which is both encouraging and frustrating. Over the last several years, there have been sizable gains for women in senior leadership, which is a huge and very important step in the right direction, and shows what companies can accomplish when they focus their efforts on a well-understood problem. Though there is still lagging progress in the middle of the pipeline—and a persistent underrepresentation of women of color—the report proves that companies are taking DEI more seriously and spending the time and money to help women excel in their career. I think this direction is only going to strengthen and continue to develop in the future, especially with the organization and groups that have grown in the recent years to help women in the tech industry.
What can organizations and individuals do to create a more inclusive and diverse tech workforce?
Payton: I think that the best thing that organizations and individuals can do to create more inclusive and diverse workplaces is first educating themselves, and determining any biases they may have in hiring and promotions. They can then work to look into company culture and dismantle any bias or issues they may be facing internally to create a more inclusive workplace.
Anna: I would say they can educate themselves on issues women and minorities face in the tech field, and then make a plan to support their staff in those areas.
Bailey: Companies can focus on combatting bias in hiring and promotions and empower employees to challenge bias when they see it. Above this, companies can look to create programs internally or spend funds externally to focus on development & mentorship for women in tech.
What advice do you have for women who are considering a career in tech?
Payton: Go for it! The worst that can happen is someone says no, but one no should not stop you. This field is expansive and you will find your home and the best fit for you!
Anna: Seek out women willing to mentor you.
Bailey: Do it, and don’t be afraid of it! My biggest piece of advice is to find your voice early and force yourself outside of your comfort zone. Beautiful things happen when you push yourself outside of your comfort zone, and as I stated in one of my other answers, being a woman in tech is challenging but oh so rewarding. Find your people and advocate for yourself. If you can, choose a job that has a boss/manager that supports you and wants the best for your career path—that is a huge part of why I feel so supported and have been able to find such success in the industry.
There is significant speculation surrounding the potential disruptive impact of AI technology on our current societal landscape, particularly regarding the automation of programming and coding tasks. What’s your opinion on this?
Payton: I think the speculation surrounding the disruptive impact of AI is understandable, it’s an unknown and it is okay to be weary of the unknown. The positives of AI I think will actually help the humans in our field maintain workloads, and provide the best information possible for the public.
Anna: I am not too worried about AI taking tech jobs, especially for technical support. There will always be people who need help using technology!
Bailey: I think that embracing AI as a tool to augment or complement human capabilities, rather than replace them, can lead to more inclusive and sustainable technological advancements. On one hand, AI-driven automation can expedite certain coding tasks, freeing up human developers to focus on more creative and strategic aspects of software development. On another hand, the adoption of AI in coding raises questions about job displacement and the need for upskilling and reskilling initiatives to ensure that individuals in the field can adapt to evolving technological landscapes. It will be interesting to see where AI in the tech field takes us!