Discuss: What’s the best advice for women looking to start a tech career?

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You probably saw a number of inspiring stories of successful women last week during the International Women’s Day. In today’s post, we asked a couple of community members to share with us their experiences as women working in the Asian tech scene.

Editor’s note: Answers have been edited for clarity.

Priyanka Desai, founder at iScribblers

My career in tech (content) was unplanned. While pursuing a PhD in pharmacy, I realized that I was not enjoying my work, and I was gradually going into depression. To pull myself away from that, I had to find an alternative career.

However, coming from a traditional service-class family (where daughters are expected to take up a profession that the family decides for them), I faced a lot of opposition. Nonetheless, being a rebel, I started taking up freelance content writing assignments (since, back then, writing was the only thing I was good at).

Five months later, I got my first job as a digital marketer and content manager. But three months into the job, I was fired due to underperformance. That’s when I got this phobia of taking up jobs.

But in 2015, I started iScribblers with INR 20,000 (US$308)—my savings. On the first month, the client’s fees paid for the co-working space. The second month’s earnings were used to hire the first employee. In 2016, my father had to undergo a rigorous cycle of chemotherapy, but the business bounced back in 2017. Today, we have a strong team of seven amazing women.

The first challenge I faced was that no one in my family was ready to invest in my business. But this made me all the more determined. Bootstrapping, which was the only option back then, was a blessing. Here are more lessons I learned:

• The best and the strongest support a woman can have is her family. While they served as my oxygen during the tough times, they also kept me grounded during the highs. Have someone who you can talk to about everything at the end of the day. That person doesn’t have to be in your field. In my case, that person is my mother. Oftentimes, a different viewpoint helps even if it comes from someone who’s nowhere near the tech field.
• Don’t stay in a world of your own, like I used to. Surround yourself with people who are experts in your field.
• Reach out for help, and you’ll be amazed by how helpful people are. They have been through what you’re going through, and they will guide you toward the best version of yourself.
• The best way to deal with stress is by working out. A physically fit you is a more confident you. Set a routine and don’t do any work beyond work hours. Physical exercise is a good way to flush out all frustrations and negativity.
• Lastly, what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.

I think going into tech was never an option 15 to 20 years ago. In India, for a service-class family, the best option back then (and even today) is to get a secure government job.

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