When I first started my career in satellite communications, I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about the fact that I was a woman in a field dominated by men. I was focused on doing my job, learning as much as I could, and building strong relationships with clients and partners. But over time, I realized that being a woman in tech comes with its own set of challenges—and its own unique opportunities.

Looking back now, after years spent working in both communications and robotics, I can see how important it is to talk about what it’s like. Because the more we talk about it, the more we can help other women find their place in this exciting, fast-moving world.

Early Days and First Impressions

In my early days working with satellite communications, it wasn’t unusual for me to walk into a meeting and be the only woman in the room. At first, it felt a little intimidating. I questioned myself sometimes—was I speaking up enough? Was I being heard? Did I really belong?

Over time, I learned that confidence comes with experience. I knew my products. I knew my clients. I knew how to solve problems when things went wrong. Slowly, the respect I earned helped quiet the doubts I had. But it’s not lost on me that having more women around me from the start would have made a big difference.

Representation matters. When you see someone like you in a leadership role, or even just sitting across the table from you, it makes it easier to believe you belong there too.

Shifting into Robotics

Later in my career, I moved into the robotics industry, working with cutting-edge technology designed to help disinfect and improve safety in healthcare environments. Robotics is another area where women are still a minority, but there’s so much energy and excitement in this field that you can almost feel things starting to shift.

What I loved about working in robotics was the sense that we were building the future. Every meeting, every project, every client conversation felt like it was part of something bigger. And women have so much to offer in that kind of environment. We bring different perspectives, new ideas, and a collaborative spirit that is badly needed in tech-driven industries.

The Challenges We Still Face

Even though progress has been made, there are still real challenges for women in tech. It’s not just about blatant discrimination—it’s also about the little things. It’s about being interrupted in meetings. It’s about people making assumptions that you’re “just” the project coordinator instead of the technical expert. It’s about having to prove your expertise again and again in ways that your male colleagues often don’t have to.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was balancing confidence with approachability. Women in leadership are often expected to walk a very fine line—strong, but not too strong. Assertive, but not “bossy.” It’s exhausting at times. But over the years, I learned that staying true to who I am mattered more than trying to fit someone else’s idea of what a leader should look like.

Opportunities for the Next Generation

Despite the hurdles, I am incredibly optimistic about the future for women in tech. More programs are encouraging young girls to explore STEM fields. More companies are waking up to the idea that diverse teams perform better, are more innovative, and drive better results.

When I think about the future, I think about the young women who will enter fields like satellite communications, robotics, software engineering, and beyond—and who will feel right at home there. I hope they’ll be supported by mentors who believe in them, challenged by work that excites them, and empowered to lead without feeling like they have to change who they are.

For those just starting out, I would say this: Know your worth. Speak up even when it’s uncomfortable. Seek out mentors, both male and female, who will champion your growth. And when you find yourself in a position to lift someone else up, do it without hesitation.

Leadership Isn’t About Titles

One important thing I’ve learned over the years is that leadership isn’t always about having the highest title or the biggest office. Leadership is about the way you show up every day. It’s about how you treat your coworkers, how you handle tough situations, and how you support the people around you.

Women are natural leaders in so many ways. We are good listeners. We are problem solvers. We are collaborators. These skills are desperately needed in the worlds of tech, where success often depends on teams working together across disciplines and specialties.

Working in tech has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life. It’s challenged me, pushed me, and helped me grow into a stronger and more confident person. While being a woman in these fields has sometimes been tough, it’s also given me a unique perspective that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

I’m proud of the work I’ve done, and even more excited about the work still ahead. Tech industries are changing—and women are a big part of that change.

We are no longer waiting to be invited to the table. We are building new tables, setting new rules, and creating spaces where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.