Tammy Hunter

Speed Round Questions

College major: Chemistry

Favorite Quote/Mantra: "C'est la vie!"

App you can't live without: Spotify

Hobby you'd like to explore more: Baking

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In celebration of Women's History Month, who are the women who've made the biggest impact on your life?

TH: "My grandma, and my multiple female bosses."

What has been your most meaningful learning opportunity in your career?

TH: "Accepting working on an automation project that was all data entry, as it exposed me to project management."

What technological advances are you most excited about?

TH: "Solar batteries."

What advice would you give to your younger self and to young women starting their first full-time position?

TH: "Let yourself take chances. Take on the little tasks as they are learning opportunities for other areas of the company." 

Nicole Pletka

Speed Round Questions

College major: Anthropology with a specialization in Archaeology

Favorite high school summer job/internship: Family-run, local pizza place

Favorite quote/mantra: "To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded." -Emerson

App you can't live without: 1Password

Hobby you'd like to explore more: Carpentry

_______________________________________________________________________________________

In celebration on Women's History Month, who are the women who have made the biggest impact on your life?

NP: "My mom and my sister. I feel very fortunate to have been raised by strong women with strong opinions. I'm a pretty outspoken person, but believe it or not, I've always been the quiet on in the family." Also Joan Jett. That woman stood behind her convictions and didn't let anyone tell her how a woman should act, or sing, or dress.

What has been your most meaningful learning opportunity in your career? How has it shaped you in your current position?

NP: "Getting fired from a really toxic place. I had never been fired before and I was shocked when it happened. I learned a lot about how much of my self-esteem was tied to my career and how important it is to be able to articulate what matters to me. I realized that hard work and great results are not what always matters to the people at the top. I was never going to be respected there because my principles about how people should be treated were not shared with leadership. From then on, I always remember that my values are far more important than a paycheck. My confidence comes from who I am, and what I believe, not where I work and what I do."

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing women in the workforce today?

NP: "I think one of the biggest challenges for everyone is related to how quickly technology is evolving. It can feel very difficult to stay well versed in the current trends when everything moves so fast."

What technological advances are you most excited about?

NP: "I'm really excited to see more focus on  sustainable technology. I started my career in environmental consulting, and I love seeing more integration with environmental science."

What advice would you give to your younger self, and to young women getting their first full-time position?

NP: "Don’t stop going out. Find organizations and activities you like and keep showing up. Even if you don’t know what to say to people, just keep attending. It takes being seen 5 or more times before people start expecting you. Then you start noticing the other regulars. Then it starts getting easier. This is true for networking, hobbies, exercise, and quite literally anything."

Lastly, do you have any favorite female-focused charities or causes you'd like people to know more about?

NP: "I’m a big fan of Herizon Music. Thea Wood creates a Newsletter and podcast spotlighting women's contributions to modern music and industry trends affecting women who work on stage, on air, and behind the scenes. I’m not a musician, but I’m a Riot Grrl at heart. (fyi – not a typo… this was a 1990s revolution that you are probably too young to know about.)

Emily Gupton

Speed Round Questions

College Major: Undergrad: BS in Neuroscience and BS in Business Administration - both from the University of Texas at Dallas / Executive MBA from Texas Woman's University / Digital Transformation Certificate from MIT

Favorite high school/summer job: Working at a French bakery with half my high school friends our senior year. We had a blast, ate lots of good snack and learned a lot about interacting with people.

Favorite Quote/Mantra: "Be the change you wish to see in the world" -Mahatma Gandhi and "This too shall pass".

App you can't live without: New York Times Games - got to get that Wordle in each day! Work related: Monday.

Hobby you'd like to explore more: Playing the clarinet.

______________________________________________________________________

In celebration of Women's History Month, who are the women who've made the biggest impact on your life?

EG: My mom is one of them for sure. She raised me as a single mother and chose a continued career path as a teacher so we could have summers and long breaks off together. She is an avid believer in equity for all and taught me so many things growing up. Beth Goff-McMillan, my CEO at FOLIO, was such an inspiration for me when I moved to Austin. She is heavily involved in the community in many ways - from donating money and time, to angel investing in female-founded startups, to speaking at different engagements, and serving as a mentor for others in Austin. Beth's involvement and encouragement for me to do the same allowed me to grow tremendously as a human, and executive, and champion of women in technology. She will forever hold a special place in my heart. The third group - the Austin Women in Technology board. Whether still on the board, or not, being connected to this group of women has inspired me in so many ways.

What has been your most meaningful learning opportunity in your career? How has it shaped you in your current position?

EG: When Beth and I decided to build FOLIO to sell to the greater commercial real estate, design, and furniture market, I had to figure out what it takes to build a technology product and technology company. I took classes at MIT to prepare and joined Austin Women in Technology to find a community to support my new endeavor. Transitioning into this role as COO + product owner of FOLIO has taught me a lot about technology in general, fundraising, managing tons of different stakeholders, and so much more.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing women in the workforce today?

EG: The balance of "work from home" and "return to office" seems to be a struggle, especially for working moms (and dads). The ability to have flexible schedules to accommodate the needs of kiddos is so important in keeping women in the workforce and helping them move up the ladder. In addition, giving women the tools, mentors, and clear path required to move up the career ladder is still a struggle. The stats say it all - for every 100 men promoted from entry-level jobs to managed positions, only 87 women get promoted and only 73 women of color get promoted. In addition, 1 in 4 c-suite leaders are women, while 1 in 16 c-suite leaders are women of color. We still have work to do to create equity for all.

What technological advances are you most excited about?

EG: Oh man. So many! There are crazy things happening with genetic-driven medicine, biotech, and other deep science technology that are coming at us at a rapid pace. Local companies like InSyBio, Neurox1, and Triumvira are doing amazing work in the biotech and health tech spaces. It will be interested to see where AI and machine learning head as we move forward in time.

What advice would you give to your younger self, and to young women getting their first full-time position?

EG: Be confident and be curious. Getting your first full-time gig out of school can be scary. Have confidence in yourself and be curious about the role and what you need to learn to advance in the position or keep up with the changing pace of technology and general workforce trends. You've got this!

Lastly, do you have any favorite female-focused charities or causes you'd like people to know more about?

EG:  Outside of Austin Women in Technology, Girlstart, Girls Empowerment Network, and WiSTEM do great things for our next generation of females and female leaders. Check them out and get involved today!

Shea Cuthbertson - President

Speed Round Questions

College major? Psychology

Favorite summer job/internship? I worked as a waitress at a Seaside Resort & Inn in Maine one summer.

Favorite quote/mantra? "If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun!" - Audrey Hepburn

App you can't live without? The new journal app on the most recent iPhone update.

_____________________________________________________________

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing women in the workforce today?

SC: I think the biggest challenges women are facing in the workplace today are a lack of equal pay, representation in leadership roles and opportunities for advancement. They are also still being asked questions like "how much time are you dedicating to taking care of your kids vs. your husband/partner?" or "how do you manage having a career and a family?" I would be surprised if men were getting asked these same questions.

What technological advances are you most excited about?

SC: Artificial Intelligence 

What advice would you give to your younger self, and to young women getting their first full-time position?

SC: Choose a job that you like and feel purpose in doing. You devote a ton of your life to your career and being unhappy should be a non-negotiable. Life is too short to work a job you hate, report to a manager that doesn't treat you fairly or work for a company that doesn't align with your values.

Taryn Wise - Membership Director

Speed Round Questions

College major? Marketing

Favorite summer job/internship? I had an internship in college where I worked for a fashion merchandising company supporting some of their clothing brands at Dillard’s and Von Maur. It was such an eye-opening experience as a soon-to-be graduate to learn all about the beginning of the e-commerce world.

Favorite Quote/Mantra? “Embrace the journey, trust the process.”

App you can’t live without? LinkedIn. I use this every day in my job and networking with fellow AWT members.

Hobby you’d like to explore more? I’ve been learning French this year and getting involved in the French community in Austin. 

_____________________________________________________________________________

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing women in the workforce today?

TW: Key challenges for women in the workforce include gender pay gaps, lack of representation in leadership roles and balancing career and family responsibilities. Addressing these issues requires ongoing efforts to promote equality, diversity and inclusion.  

What technological advances are you most excited about? 

TW: I think the most exciting technology advances are the developments in AI, quantum computing and advancements in renewable energy. These innovations have the potential to reshape various industries and positively impact our daily lives.

What advice would you give to your younger self, and to young women getting their first full time position?

TW: I like this question! I’ve been sharing this with a lot of younger folks as some great guidelines for someone starting their first full-time position, I'd recommend:

1. Learn Continuously: Stay curious and be open to learning. Embrace new challenges and seek opportunities for professional development.
2. Build Relationships:  Cultivate positive relationships with colleagues. Networking can open doors and create a supportive work environment.
3. Communicate Effectively: Clear communication is crucial. Listen actively, express your ideas confidently, and seek feedback to improve.
4. Time Management: Develop effective time management skills. Prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
5. Adaptability: Be adaptable and open to change. The professional landscape evolves, and flexibility is a valuable trait.

About the Author: Leslie M. Dill is a seasoned marketing professional with experience spanning over four industries. Leslie holds a BS in Business Administration and Marketing from Creighton University and is currently Department Manager at the University of Texas at Austin. Connect with Leslie on LinkedIn. 

November was a busy month for Austin and all of us at Austin Women in Technology. We embarked on a week filled with collaboration, celebration, and meaningful exchanges.

Giving Thanks at Girlsgiving

The month started with our impactful Girlsgiving fundraiser at Industry Eastside, organized by AWT’s Sponsorship Director, Erin Connell, and her chairs, Hailey Cohan and Micala Osuna. The event was not just a fundraiser; it was a testament to the positive influence AWT has had on the lives of its members. The generous raffle contributions from partners like Julie Ahmad, Salon Sway, Blenders, Kendra Scott, and more, coupled with the delightful food and ambiance provided by Industry, made the event truly special.

We are excited as we look to 2024 to continue supporting our members and outreach partners, which include Code2Collge, Girls Empowerment Network, Dress for Success, and Girlstart. Our heartfelt thanks go to our members, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners whose unwavering support makes serving our members and the Austin community possible. Thank you!

Becoming a ConnectHER at Austin Startup Week

The momentum continued with our engaging participation in the Women In Tech track at Austin Startup Week. Our workshop, “Becoming a ConnectHER,” led by Community Partnerships Director, Emily Gupton, was a resounding success. During the workshop, 35 Community Leaders paired up with 35 participants for seven-minute sessions of “speed networking”, where participants had the opportunity to tap into the experience and expertise of the Community Leaders with which they were paired. AWT has its deepest gratitude for the 35 fantastic Community Leaders who willingly gave their time to support the participants and help them along their professional journey.

Takeaways from the conversations with our Community Leaders are summarized below, which further demonstrate the importance of organizations like Austin Women in Technology, FIESTA, Austin Forum on Technology & Society, KS WELI, DivInc, and so many others that provide networking, support, resources, and more to underserved populations.

Startup Challenges and Fundraising Difficulty

Founders are struggling to pitch their startups effectively and secure funding. 

What you can do: 

• Find targeted workshops or mentorship programs focusing on refining pitches and developing successful fundraising strategies.
• Enhance communication skills, particularly in pitching and presenting ideas.
• If you’re in Austin, attend a FIESTA at Capital Factory and apply to pitch to venture capital firms.
• Find a founder and/or funder community, like FIESTA, DivInc, and so many more to build community and find reliable resources.

Lack of Community and Non-Transactional Relationships

Many participants expressed a desire for a more robust, supportive community and meaningful mentorship opportunities, rather than purely transactional relationships.

What you can do:

• Find community! Join an organization like Ausitn Women in Technology, Austin Technology Council, the Austin Forum on Technology and Society, or so many others, to build true relationships.
• Network before you need it! Don’t wait until you are job hunting or need help landing a big client to get out and meet people. Building meaningful relationships takes time. Start now, even if it’s slow and steady.
• Ask for help. Be willing to return the favor. Women struggle with asking for help. If you need it, ask! We are in the same boat together, and more than likely, you will find someone in your community who has faced similar struggles, challenges, and questions. Offer your support, services, or insights when asked. Supporting one another is a two-way street if you want meaningful relationships and community.

Diversifying Hiring Practices – Takeaways at the CEO Summit

At the Austin Technology Council’s CEO Summit, AWT's president elect, Nicole Pletka, led a panel that delved into the crucial topic of diversity in the workplace, discussing how a mix of cultural, ethnic, and gender perspectives significantly enhances creativity and problem-solving. This conversation was a significant step in understanding and implementing practices that promote diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry.

Diversity's Impact on Innovation

The panelists underscored the immense value of diversity in fostering idea generation and creativity. They backed this with academic research and their personal experiences, illustrating how varied groups approach problem-solving in uniquely effective ways.

Addressing the "Broken Rung"

A significant issue highlighted was the disparity in promotion rates for women in technology, particularly at the first step from entry-level to manager, often termed the "broken rung”. Data from McKinsey and Company revealed that for every 100 men promoted at this stage, only 87 women advanced, with even fewer people of color progressing.

Practical Strategies for Building a Diverse Workforce

The discussion provided actionable advice for organizations seeking to improve diversity.

• Partnering with community organizations like Austin Women in Technology, Capital Area Workforce Solutions, AUTMHQ, and KS WELI to discover diverse candidates.
• Employing anti-bias tools to create gender-neutral job descriptions.
• Using DEI-trained staff or consultants to ensure job postings are inclusive.

Retaining and Promoting Diverse Talent

Advice extended to retaining and advancing current employees. Understanding and addressing micro-aggressions that can drive staff away is crucial. Panelists suggested leveraging Employee Resource Groups and community groups to empower staff, emphasizing the importance of listening to their experiences and implementing their feedback.

In closing, the experiences and insights gained throughout November have been invaluable. They have not only reinforced our commitment to supporting and empowering women in technology but have also highlighted the power of community and collaboration in driving positive change. Stay tuned for upcoming AWT and community partner events as we round out 2023 and move into 2024.

Welcome to the second edition of Austin Women in Technology’s Community Partner Blog Series! As the lively energy of ACL and Formula One begins to mellow, Austin finds itself gearing up for the holiday season. Before we get there, the early days of November are full of amazing events and initiatives that resonate with our mission and promise to be memorable. 
We're both proud and excited to co-host and co-sponsor some of these initiatives alongside our community partners. Moreover, as we continually strive to amplify our reach and impact, we're thrilled to introduce new partnerships with Rise, UN World Logic Day, and more! Dive into the details below to learn about upcoming events and initiatives in Austin's wonderful community.
Questions? Interested in becoming a community partner? Reach out to our Director of Community Partnerships + Team at partnerships@awtaustin.org. 

Co-Hosted and Co-Sponsored Events

Austin Technology Council CEO Summit
We love partnering with Thom Singer and the Austin Technology Council. We are excited for the upcoming 2023 CEO Summit on Monday 11/06/23, where our very own Nicole Pletka is moderating a panel called "Building Inclusive Employment Practices: Addressing Biases and Promoting Diversity". The panel will feature 

• Joy Wiggins, Founder and CEO, Equity and Inclusion Consulting LLC
• Ronnie Sheth, CEO, Senen Group
• Vaishali Jadhav, Leadership and Team Development Facilitator, Sanrekhana, LLC and Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute
• Kitty McLeod, Chief Solutions Officer & Master Facilitator, Illumine Wellness

Austin Startup Week & Women in Tech Day 
We are so pumped for Capital Factory's Austin Startup Week happening Monday 11/06/23 to Friday 11/10/23. Jam-packed full of topical tracks, panels, fireside chats, and interactive sessions, it promises to be a week full of networking, making meaningful connections, and learning new things. 
Our Community Partnerships Director, Emily Gupton, is excited to host a workshop on Women in Tech Day, Monday 11/06/23 called "Become a ConnectHER: Speed Networking with Austin Women in Technology". A shout out to all of the community leaders who volunteered their time to connect with participants interested in learning more about the importance of networking, collaboration, and find out how the community has impacted this amazing group of female and female-identifying leaders in the Austin community. 
Register for Austin Startup Week and learn more HERE. 

Girls Empowerment Network Radiant G Conference
Austin Women in Technology loves being able to give back to the community. Girls Empowerment Network is one of our outreach partners, and the AWT board is excited to host a workshop for young ladies in the community at the Radiant G Conferences on Saturday 11/04/23. 
The Radiant G Conferences are statewide, multi-city events designed especially for thousands of girls in grades 3-8 and the people who care about them. With a community building opening rally, an empowering dance party, and dynamic break-out sessions delivered both by our organization and our network of subject matter experts, girls get to be totally in charge of their day. They walk away inspired by what’s possible and with a new belief in their personal power. 

UN World Logic Day
Austin Women in Technology is proud to be a community partner of the upcoming January 2024 event, UN World Logic Day. Together with the United Nations, UNESCO, and Logictry, we will bring together over 1,500 people to discuss the future of technology, society, decision making, and more. Join us this year to engage, collaborate with, and learn alongside the decision makers building a brighter future together.

Programming themes include:

• The Future of AI, Technology, & Business
• The Future of Decision Making
• The Future of Innovation with Venture Capital, Next Gen Communities & Investing
• The Future of Healthcare & Access
• The Future of Sustainability & Climate

Register by 11/01 for early bird pricing. SIGN UP TODAY! 

Other Community Happenings in November

Whether you're seeking learning opportunities, networking events, or just a dose of inspiration, there's something for everyone. For a detailed overview of these events, do visit our community calendar.

Austin Technology Incubator & ACC - EnergyTech For All Summit - November 02, 2023
The summit will delve into crucial themes of making energy technology accessible and affordable, while also breaking down the barriers that have hindered certain groups.
Anticipate captivating talks, thought-provoking panel discussions, and dynamic speed mentoring sessions. Let's collaborate to fuel innovation and steer transformative change in the EnergyTech landscape.
Register HERE. This event is FREE. 

Austin Forum on Technology & Society - Debate on Digital Privacy, Trust, Responsibility, and Ethics - November 07, 2023
Our lives have become increasingly dependent on computing and networking technologies and on the digital data exchanged on our behalf for virtually every aspect of our lives. Powerful analytics and AI methods coupled with cheap, large-scale computing and storage enable companies to develop detailed profiles of everyone, collecting and exchanging data behind the scenes in ways that are often invisible to most people. Thus, we are entrusting the well-being of our companies, organizations, schools, and lives to the digital practices of many companies—with a rapid growth in their capabilities for analysis. It is difficult-to-impossible for proper regulation to keep up to ensure proper usage of this data—and what is ‘proper?’ What should be regulated and how, and what should not (and what are the alternatives)?
Join us for a spirited debate event in which we will explore all sides to the challenging questions in the areas of digital identity and privacy, data monetization and trust, and the responsibilities and ethical considerations we have to consider to determine what is and isn’t fair, proper, legal, and safe. Register HERE. This event is FREE.

Women Building Wealth – November 11, 2023
Women Building Wealth is a one-day workshop on Saturday, November 11, 2023, for women ready to take the next step on their financial journey. Combining valuable insights and practical knowledge from experts on budgeting, investing, home buying and refinancing, we are creating a space to connect with other ambitious women to talk about financial success.
Featuring amazing speakers, including Cristina Silingardi, Monica Muñoz Andry, and Juanita Valarie Neidig.
Use code AWT for $10 off the ticket price! 

Agile Austin - Keep Austin Agile 2024
Agile Austin's Keep Austin Agile (KAA) Conference is an immersive gathering of Agile practitioners, leaders, and enthusiasts, dedicated to exploring the dynamic synergy between Agile methodologies and the Growth Mindset philosophy. Our primary goals include fostering a deep understanding of Agile Growth Mindset, inspiring mindset transformation, offering practical tools for immediate application, facilitating networking and collaboration, presenting diverse perspectives, and promoting interactive learning.
Nominate or apply to be a speaker HERE.
Register to volunteer for the conference HERE.
Get early bird tickets HERE. 

More Upcoming Community Events

• 11/01/23 to 11/05/23: AfroTech Conference. 
• Wednesday 11/01/23: KS WELI EmpowerHER Hour: Empowerment Through Mentorship.
• Tuesday 11/07/23: DivInc & ECN: Meet The Cohort Happy Hour
• Thursday 11/09/23: Agile Austin: Leveraging an Agile Mindset to Succeed in a Changing World.
• Tuesday 11/14/23:   FIESTA.
• Thursday 11/16/23: Austin Forum on Technology & Society: Life Beyond Earth: The Synergy of Energy and Space Exploration.
• Saturday 11/18/23: Service Dogs Inc. - Mighty Texas Dog Walk.  

As the year winds down, the momentum at Austin Women in Technology is only picking up. November is set to be a testament to the collective strength, passion, and commitment of our community. With events that empower, enlighten, and engage, we're on a steadfast mission to redefine the narrative around women in tech. Let's come together, partake in these events, and push the envelope a bit further. Here's to a November filled with knowledge, growth, and memorable moments! 

Hello and welcome to another exciting month at Austin Women in Technology! Our Community Partnerships team has been busy connecting with organizations in Austin to cultivate relationships that not only strengthen our network but also advance our mission to empower women in tech. 

September is full of incredible community partner events! In addition to our Austin Women In Technology Mentoring Workshop on Thursday 09/14/23, our wonderful community partners have an array of events and initiatives that are going to make September a fulfilling month. From conferences to events on energy and quantum computing, and in person events to learning sessions, we're thrilled to be part of the vibrant ecosystem that is driving change in tech and breaking down barriers for women and underrepresented genders in the workplace. You can see all of the events listed below, and more, on our Austin Women In Technology Community Calendar. 

September Event Highlights:

• After Labor Day, dive into an event that will teach you about Quantum Computing: The Next Technological Evolution. ⚛️ Hosted by The Austin Forum on Technology and Society and technology innovator, William "Whurley" Hurley, this promises to shed light on the groundbreaking technology of quantum computing. Register HERE for this free event. 
• Attend a unique, curated event at Soho House called Fyli Founder Friday's on Friday, September 8, 2023. Hear from Natalie Poindexter, the founder of Authentic Inclusion, as she talks about Disrupting Funding Opportunities: Demystifying Access to Grand Funding. Space is limited - register HERE for this free event. 
• Celebrate female artists at a unique art exhibition, Exhibition Empower - Le Femme Art Party, on Saturday, September 16, 2023.  Hosted by local artist, Julie Ahmad, this event is sure to spark creative and powerful conversations. Register HERE. 

• Fyli is conducting a 5-week Personal Branding Intensive from September 11, 2023 to October 13, 2023. Learn from experts in the industry, including Jaclynn Brennan, and Paige Velasquez Budde.  Register HERE and use code FF50 for $50 off registration.
• Congratulations to Logictry for winning the Austin Chamber of Commerce's Austin Gives Awards - Charitable Champion Business! 

Applied Intelligence Live! Austin

Where smart tech meets human innovation, Applied Intelligence Live! Austin showcases the real-world application of AI, IoT and quantum computing in the workplace.

Engage with world-leading organizations, hear from the brightest minds, and get exclusive insights into pioneering AI, IoT and quantum computing projects from all corners of the industry. With a jam-packed headline stage featuring the likes of Shell, Apple, Tesla and Groq, and a curated collection of vertical and technology-specific stages, as well as the free-to-explore technology showcase, attendees will be able to access everything they need to thrive in an increasingly connected future. 

Austin Women in Technology's Emily Gupton will moderate the Women in Tech Headliner "Women Leaders in Tech: Shaping the Future of Enterprises and Society" on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 3:00 PM. In addition, the Austin Women in Technology Board will be hosting a panel on the importance of diversity in the workforce building advanced technologies on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 2:30 PM on the Industries Stage. 

Learn more about the conference and get your tickets HERE. Use the code AWTEXPO to get a Expo for free! 

To sum it all up, September promises to be a jam-packed month. Our community partners provide meaningful opportunities that empower the Austin technology ecosystem, female founders, and women in technology. Let's make September a month to remember! 

About the Author: Emily Gupton serves on the Austin Women in Technology Board of Directors as Community Partnerships Director. In her day job, she is Chief Operations Officer of FOLIO, a technology company that serves national commercial real estate and adjacent service providers and their clients. Emily is passionate about equity, community building, and the mission of AWT and so many other community partner organizations. You can learn more about Emily on her website or by connecting with her on LinkedIn. Interested in learning more about AWT Community Partnerships or becoming a community partner yourself? Email Emily and the Community Partnerships Team at partnerships@awtaustin.org.  

Ever wonder what sets high achievers apart from the rest? The answer lies in a simple, yet profound concept: the growth mindset. Having a growth mindset may just be the “secret sauce” to your career success.

Let’s take a look at what a growth mindset is, why it’s important to your success, and practical steps to cultivate this empowering mindset.

What is a Growth Mindset?

A growth mindset is a belief system that talent and ability can be developed through continuous practice and learning. In contrast, a fixed mindset believes that skills and abilities are innate and unchangeable. Embracing a growth mindset means understanding that challenges are opportunities to learn and failures are necessary steps towards growth. 

Why is Having a Growth Mindset Important?

Having a growth mindset is important to your professional development because it fuels continuous learning, resilience, and the drive to overcome challenges. Some benefits of embracing this way of thinking include:

1.) increasing your happiness and success at work

2.) unlocking untapped potential

3.) reducing fear of failure

4.) sparking creativity and innovation

5.) building positive relationships

Developing a Growth Mindset

Developing a growth mindset requires intentional effort and a willingness to embrace change. Here are some practical ways to start cultivating a growth mindset today:

1. Invest in yourself. Expand your knowledge and broaden your skills by reading books, listening to podcasts, and/or completing online courses in subject matters that interest you. Take note of how you can implement your new learnings into your work, and then go do it.

2. Challenge yourself. Request to take on a stretch project outside of your primary responsibilities at work or find a volunteer project that pushes you beyond your comfort zone. Learn as you go, seek support from subject matter experts when needed, and appreciate the opportunity for growth

3. Ask for feedback. Ask your peers, supervisor, clients, and direct reports (if applicable) for constructive feedback. In what areas do you come across as confident? What skills do you need to develop? Listen to their feedback, make a game plan for how you’ll take action on their feedback, and check in with yourself periodically to measure your progress. 

4. Network. Engage and learn from people in your industry by connecting with professionals at networking events (such as Austin Women in Technology), reaching out to 2nd- and 3rd-degree connections on LinkedIn for informational interviews, and/or setting up in-person/virtual coffee chats with colleagues at work. Get to know them, ask for their professional advice, take action, and keep in touch.

5. Work with a mentor or coach. Seek support and find a mentor or coach who will provide encouragement, guidance, and accountability on your growth journey. 

6. Embrace failure. View failure as a part of the growth process. When you fail, ask yourself: What did I learn? What would I do differently next time? Adjust your approach and then keep moving forward.

Summary

In a world that is constantly evolving and presenting new challenges, the ability to adapt and grow is crucial to your professional success. With a growth mindset, you have the power to create your future. Start developing your growth mindset today by investing in yourself, challenging yourself, asking for feedback, networking, working with a mentor or coach, and embracing failure.

About the Author: Rachael Leaf is a multi-passionate professional with expertise in business operations, account management, project management, and habit coaching. Rachael holds a BS in Marketing and Supply Chain Management from the University of Maryland. Connect with Rachael on LinkedIn and find more of her work on her website.

How to make friends and influence robots 

It’s been a hot AI summer. Where the buzzwords that would get you VC funding the past few years were “Web3” and “NFTs” now seemingly every company is announcing their AI integrations or the plans they have for them and every startup has AI in their name. 

We’ve all seen the waves of AI “art” rolling across our social media feeds alongside the news declaring that AI is coming for all of our jobs. So…is it? Better for Skynet to start spouting sonnets and relegate us to the boring stuff than to murder us, right? Or is this prediction going the way of the flying cars and hoverboards we were promised for the 21st century that so far have yet to materialize? 

As a fragile human writer, I’m very invested in the answers to these questions and I’ve done my best to sort the truths we know so far from the hype and doomsday predictions.

What do we even mean when we say “AI”

The larger understanding of what AI is usually boils down to knowing that it stands for "artificial intelligence" and has to do with really smart robots or computers. The movie versions, as previously mentioned, usually want to murder you. Not very promising. The news story versions are coming for your jobs, which also isn't promising. There are a ton of ethical grey areas around the way AI tools are currently being built and trained, which— you guessed it!— really is not promising. (More on that in a minute.) 

A lot of what gets missed in the general excitement (and for creators, sometimes panic) around the future of AI is how it's going to get there. "Artificial intelligence" isn't really intelligent on its own yet; it's machine learning trained on data sets that have been curated by plain old human beings and fed to the machines doing the learning.

"There is no AI system that understands, perceives, learns, pattern-matches or adapts on its own...Instead, it needs human-labeled and curated data as a starting point. For this reason, users and evaluators should apply more scrutiny to the training data used to teach AI systems...especially the data's origin, development and characteristics."

That's from a piece about AI's HR implications, but it goes deeper into what AI actually is and what it isn't, at least not yet. (Machine learning is a subset of AI but exactly where the boundary lies is another murky area.)

We don’t fully understand how the human brain works as we think and learn; how it decides on the strength of the connection between neurons. What we do know is that it’s very good at pattern recognition and so that’s how we’ve trained our generative AI: feed it enough information that it begins to pick out patterns, then make predictions about what should come next based on the patterns it recognizes. They’re essentially probability machines, trained on all the flawed communications humans have strewn across the Internet for the past few decades. 

Aside from the different biases inherit in human communication and the outright toxicity of some corners of the internet, more trouble comes from the fact that these clever little robots sometimes “hallucinate”– or simply make things up– to fill in the blanks. The bigger trouble is that they can do that much faster and at much greater scale than human beings can. 

The ethics of AI 

While I’m far from the first person to question the ethics of AI in art and writing, I am here to add my thoughts to the growing pile. 

A meme from Tumblr whose origins I, ironically, could not discern

Earlier this summer at a book club brunch the topic of ChatGPT came up and someone mentioned this interview excerpt with Erykah Badu about it. Badu's response to the words from the chat bot of the moment's description of her was "I feel like my ancestors wrote that."

But it wasn't the ancestors and it wasn't the chat bot either, not really; it just pulled together what it knew about her. And where did it pull that from?

"The model was trained using a massive dataset of text from the internet, totaling 570GB and 300 billion words. This included sources such as books, webtexts, Wikipedia, and articles."

—ChatGPT: How Much Data Is Used in the Training Process?

That means it pulled from a lot of profiles, articles, and interviews journalists and writers have crafted about Badu over the course of her career. People who spent hours of their lives researching, and considering, and writing, who don't get any credit for their work teaching a robot how to string human language together in a way that mimics original thought.

Because that's all it is: a reflection of all the things it has been fed, constantly rearranged.

There's a lot of ways that's great, even for writers, helping to jumpstart drafts and shorten workflows when the only constant in demands for work seems to be both "more" and "faster".

I'd just like to see the machines give a little credit back to their creators and inadvertent trainers, which means the humans creating it are the ones that have to teach it to do that– and some are already working on it. 

More concerning than attribution is the potential for these tools to create disinformation– and distribute it– at scale. While eventually we may have robots fighting robots on the disinformation front, current interventions in any toxicity that AI has picked up from its human creators has had to be combatted with human labor– exploited human labor.

There’s also the environmental impact to consider as these technologies grow and as we experience another literal hot girl summer. This technology is exciting, but it isn’t magic, and we have to acknowledge and address its flaws as we incorporate it into our lives. 

Final thoughts 

In the end, generative AI is just another tool we have in our toolbelts and how we collectively decide to use it will influence its final outcomes. 

But maybe tell your robot vacuum that you love it (and be ready to fact-check it if it starts updating you on the daily news), just in case.

Resources: 

• Instagram post 

• The Algorithm: AI-generated art raises tricky questions about ethics, copyright, and security 

• Not All AI Is Really AI: What You Need to Know

• Tweet

• ChatGPT: How Much Data Is Used in the Training Process? 

• The Godfather of AI has some regrets 

• ChatGPT fails: 13 common errors and mistakes you need to know 

• The carbon impact of artificial intelligence

• Exclusive: OpenAI Used Kenyan Workers on Less Than $2 Per Hour to Make ChatGPT Less Toxic

• Summer 2023

• AI21 Labs intros an AI writing assistant that cites its sources

AI has picked up from its human creators has had to be combatted with human labor– exploited human labor.

There’s also the environmental impact to consider as these technologies grow and as we experience another literal hot girl summer. This technology is exciting, but it isn’t magic, and we have to acknowledge and address its flaws as we incorporate it into our lives. 

Final thoughts 

In the end, generative AI is just another tool we have in our toolbelts and how we collectively decide to use it will influence its final outcomes. 

But maybe tell your robot vacuum that you love it (and be ready to fact-check it if it starts updating you on the daily news), just in case. 

About the Author: Sarah A. Parker is a freelance writer and the founder/owner of Sparker Works LLC. She brings 14 years of experience in the tech industry at B2B SaaS companies (including Bazaarvoice, Union Metrics, TrendKite, Cision, MURAL, Productboard, and more) to her clients and to this blog. She holds a BS and an MA in Communication Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and has guest lectured classes at UT and Texas State University in addition to speaking at Social Media Week Austin and at the Ragan Social Media conference. She's an enthusiast of book clubs, trail running, large dogs, and trivia nights. You can find her work and more on her website.