When I joined the Technium Network and Security Operations Center, I was the only woman on shift at that time. I felt like I had higher standards and expectations to live up to because I was the only woman on the team; I, however, reframed the situation and thought about things from a different perspective which changed my experience.

I realized that being a woman was actually a strength rather than a weakness. As a woman in engineering, I think about situations slightly different than my male counterparts—allowing me to bring a unique perspective and way of thinking to networking problems and to the culture of our team.

If you’re a woman and are interested in getting into networking and security but feel intimidated by the fact that this is a male-dominated field, my advice is to go for it! Push through self-doubt and embrace what makes you unique in this field. Here are some insights that have helped me be successful on my engineering journey: 

• Find a topic or niche that you are passionate about and learn it! Networking is a fast-paced field, so you can always find something new, such as processes, devices, or software, to become a part of. The key is to find something that interests you and make sure you keep up to date on the most recent changes in that area. You don’t want to find yourself too far behind in this ever-changing environment if you hope to be truly successful. 
• Always look for opportunities to excel and grow. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, either from other women in the field or from your male co-workers. You can’t get better if you aren’t willing to learn from others around you.
• Find what makes you unique as an engineer and nurture that. The more you stand out, the more opportunities you will find. You, in turn, can become a leader in the field to help nurture the growth of other females looking to join the industry.
• Don’t be afraid to just go for it or to fail. Failure is how we grow and how we progress. It may be scary to think about failing, especially when you’re in the minority in your field, but failure is how you learn; it shows you are willing to challenge yourself! I have found that trying and failing a few times is actually more helpful than never trying at all. In the end, it will help you progress faster and stand out more! 

If you are interested in joining a company that wants more female engineers who will break the glass ceiling, I encourage you to view our open positions at Technium.