How to become successful in tech

Katja Korenjak

Development Engineer in SRV development

How did you get into programming?

I first crossed paths with programming at the university. I found it exciting to create something from nothing, and rewarding, as you get almost instant results. What I’ve found out, and what I would like to share with young people, especially young women, considering starting programming: don’t hold yourself back. You don’t have to be a computer geek to start working in this field. Just start learning, be curious, and then you will develop your skills with work experience.

What do you like most about your work? And what is it that you enjoy most about your current job at Oryx?

I consider myself a problem solver. I love finding simple solutions to complex problems, and that is what I think programming is. Here at Oryx, I am doing just that.

Why is Oryx a place for a young female developer to start their development?

This answer should be the same for any young developer, regardless of their gender. IT is a fast-growing Industry, in need of more capable people each year. In my career as a software developer, I have never been held back, I am always encouraged to learn more. Being a software developer is a good and rewarding job, and I encourage women to give it a try.

What is it like to be a woman working in technology for you?

You get noticed, you stand out, but I would much rather stand out on account of my achievements, than being a minority. I believe there are too few women in the tech sector, and I wish there were more since the knowledge, skills and competences for being a great software developer are in no way gender based.

What would change with more women in the field?

I do not believe that there are traits that are solely possessed by women or men. I consider this to be more fluid. But I am sure that more diverse teams, be it in terms of talent, age, nationality, competences or gender, have a more holistic approach to problem-solving and are generally more successful. We are producing solutions used by everyone, so there is no reason, only men should be delivering these solutions. With more women on the teams, there could be a difference in communication, work atmosphere, and even in a final product.

At Oryx, we aim towards having a more diverse workplace. What do you think companies can do to encourage more young women to choose careers in tech and rectify the imbalance? 

First and foremost, I would urge the companies to employ capable and trustworthy individuals and look beyond gender when hiring or deciding to hire a candidate. Companies should team up with schools and spread the word: let young women know what the work looks like and that it can be a prospective career option for them as well.