Through hardship to the stars and back by Jana Polednikova

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Challenging the Status Quo: A Woman's Journey in Science and Tech

Let's delve deep into the shared experiences and insights from a woman's journey through the male-dominated landscapes of academia and the tech industry. We'll share key lessons drawn from these experiences and explore ways we can create a more inclusive, safer, and equal workplace for everyone. Most importantly, we will understand how it feels to be a woman in spaces that are not always accommodating.

A Small Personal Journey

Allow me to take you on a personal journey, sharing two distinct stories from my life and the lessons I learned from them. These are tales I wish someone had shared with me as I began my career, as they would have assured me that regardless of the challenges I face, I would be okay.

My journey began as an astrophysicist at the university level. I noticed that as I transitioned from academia to industry - from science to data science - the ratio of women in these fields significantly dwindled. However, over the course of my tenure, I observed a shift; the presence of women started growing, leading eventually to a team I am proudly leading today, consisting mostly of women.

Overcoming Challenges and Stereotypes

  • Story 1: My first story is based in academia, drawing our attention towards the gender disparity and sexism prevalent in many academic institutions. When a female colleague of mine made a mistake, as everyone inevitably does at some point, she was belittled publicly by the teacher, and there was no clear avenue to report the incident. The institute was male-dominated, with a prevalent patriarchal structure that did nothing when confronted with sexist jokes or feedback. This directly impacted me and fueled my impostor syndrome. I started feeling underqualified and even doubted my capacity to secure a job outside academia.
  • The Lesson: From this experience, I learned the importance of embracing what others deem you to be good at but not at the cost of letting go of your technical proficiency. Balancing both these aspects can provide you with a unique advantage and enable you to prove doubters wrong and defy expectations.
  • Story 2: The second story is from my challenging experience in mountaineering, particularly my expedition in Greenland. On that expedition, I was the only woman carrying a 35kg sled in minus 20 degrees, surrounded by men only. At that point, I had to accept that it's ok to ask for help. It was an enlightening moment that taught me the importance of staying true to one's unique strengths.
  • The Lesson: It's perfectly valid not to have the same strength as others and to ask for help when needed. Everyone has their unique strengths, so it's crucial to recognize yours and use them for your advantage.

Lessons on Leadership from Hardship

The path to success isn't ever easy, especially for a woman working in tech. However, by embracing challenges and remaining persistent, it is possible to learn valuable lessons and grow from them. These include:

  1. Sharing is Caring: If you're struggling with something, don't suffer in silence. Share your feelings, experiences and doubts with someone you trust.
  2. Create a Safe Space: If you're in a position of leadership, strive to foster an environment where your team feels comfortable asking questions and expressing their doubts or confusion.
  3. Provide a Rationale: When delegating tasks or setting goals, ensure your team understands the reasons behind them. Empowering your team with information fosters trust, respect and engagement.
  4. Value Everyone: Everyone on your team is likely smarter than you think, so don’t underestimate them. They all have unique strengths and experiences to bring to the table.

In conclusion, we all have unique journeys and hardships to overcome. But, by embracing challenges, fostering safe spaces, and encouraging diversity, we can shape an inclusive and efficient work environment.


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