For many people, an exciting aspect of their career is having the chance to “level up” and take on bigger responsibilities. For women in tech, this is especially true.
Over the past two decades, the number of women in the tech workforce has grown from 10 to 35 percent. But while this jump is encouraging, there’s still a long way to go — especially regarding the number of women in leadership roles.
For Bringg Solution Architect Jessica Elaine Organ and Walgreens Senior Director, Digital Technology Delivery Rosie Bu, career advancement was not achieved by waiting to be handed the right opportunity; it was achieved by reaching out and grabbing it.
Both leaders recently shared how they’ve grown professionally and their advice for other women hoping to do the same.
Bringg is the leading delivery management platform, optimizing last-mile delivery, fulfillment and returns for retailers and carriers worldwide.
How have you grown during your time in the tech industry? Where did you start, and where are you now?
Technology is about agility and opportunity, and my career in this field has been shaped by both.
Bringg encourages cross-functional growth, so when I expressed the desire to transition from customer success manager into a more technical role, the response was immediate and enthusiastic.
I appreciate how this field rewards stepping beyond one's comfort zone. My self-confidence has flourished throughout my experience, and the runway is endless.
My self-confidence has flourished throughout my experience, and the runway is endless.”
What resources are available at your company or within your community to help women grow their skills and learn from others?
Bringg's culture revolves around internal collaboration and mentorship, and everyone goes out of their way to help others. This has been integral to my growth in the company, both as a new employee learning the ropes and as a tenured employee improving my own mentorship skills. The company promotes regular women-centered focus groups and informal discussions, which foster a sense of connection and provide valuable resources for our ongoing growth journeys.
What advice would you give to other women interested in leveling up professionally? What are some of the biggest lessons you´ve learned?
The most important lessons I’ve learned are to embrace calculated risks and to actively seek growth opportunities. I also encourage women to advocate for themselves and to engage in reciprocal mentorship and support with colleagues.
Walgreens sells prescription and over-the-counter drugs, beauty and personal care items, household products, convenience and fresh foods, and photofinishing products.
How have you grown during your time in the tech industry? Where did you start, and where are you now?
I joined Walgreens after college 26 years ago. As a homegrown engineer within the company, my experience has been incredibly rewarding. Being part of the digital track since the beginning has provided me with numerous opportunities to learn and grow.
Beginning as a full-stack developer, my journey progressed as I honed my skills, eventually taking on the role of team lead. As the company’s digital presence continued to grow, I had the opportunity to manage more delivery teams and practice scale and adaptation management skills. Moreover, my leadership journey took a significant turn when I led the store transformation program. Creating the enterprise mobility platform from the ground up marked a significant milestone, showcasing my ability to envision and implement solutions for the future of our store’s digital transformation.
What resources are available at your company or within your community to help women grow their skills and learn from others?
Women engineers wear all kinds of different hats. Our hardworking and persistent work style and our unique family perspective make us a reliable source in the IT world.
BU’S 3 TIPS FOR WOMEN IN TECH
- Never stop learning. When able, take online courses and attend community activities to stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies.
- Build a strong foundation by mastering the fundamentals of computer science and programming. No matter how technology evolves, its foundation will remain the same.
- Find your passion. Honing in on what you enjoy working on will keep you engaged and motivated.
Women in this field are valuable assets. Our journey may have ups and downs, but if you keep learning and love what you do, you can achieve all your goals.
What are some of the biggest lessons you´ve learned?
I have encountered several significant lessons that have shaped my approach to work.
The first has been to embrace open-mindedness. Embracing new technologies and methodologies in our fast-paced digital world has been pivotal. We can grow faster only when we are open to learning.
The second has been to be authentic through and through. Navigating diverse expectations can be challenging, but staying true to myself and my work style has been key — even in situations in which assertiveness may be questioned. Ultimately, authenticity fosters genuine connections, builds trust and creates an open and honest working environment.
Finally, the third has to do with communication. Knowing how to communicate effectively is essential as both an engineer and a leader in the field, as articulating ideas and visions is important for overcoming unconscious biases, breaking barriers and establishing credibility.
