Women in Technology: Meet Elena

Marissa: Tell us your story on how you got into technology?

Elena: I was a kid in the ‘90s, so I grew up alongside all of the technological advancements and innovations made in the past 30 years, from brick cell phones to iPod Nanos to pouring my adolescent heart out on my Xanga. As an adopter of phases of new technology during my lifetime, working in the technology field feels like an easy transition because I understand how important and relevant our services are to the modern end user.

Marissa: Did you always know that working in technology was what you wanted to do?

Elena: I didn’t! I actually studied Psychology as an undergrad/grad student, but my career path has taken me in a couple of different, unexpected directions over the past eight years. Working in technology now is a welcome surprise.

Marissa: How long have you been with Dataprise? 

Elena: Three months.

Marissa: Can you share a little bit about what it is that you do and what a typical day for you is like?

Elena: I am our Sales Enablement Manager, and my focus is on developing and providing the content, training, technology, and strategy that best enables our sales team to succeed and meet their goals. There really is no “typical” day in my role, but one consistent aspect is that there’s always activity with momentum toward developing, rolling out, analyzing, or completing an initiative.

Marissa: What is one piece of advice you would give to young women looking to get into the technology field?

Elena: Joining a male-dominated industry can be difficult and intimidating, but just remember that you have the technical skills and knowledge to make it. Your ideas are valid, and you have a unique perspective to offer; never settle for a place that doesn’t appreciate that.

Marissa: What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in the tech industry? What do you wish you had known?

Elena: Don’t be afraid to self-advocate and pursue what truly interests you. Overall, I wish I had been able to take my own advice and really go for the things I want and share my ideas with confidence — something I’m still working on but am getting better with every day with practice!

Marissa: What do you think is the best part of being a woman in the tech industry?

Elena: Breaking stereotypes — the relationship between gender stereotypes and career choice is a huge interest of mine (I did a research project on it in college), and I love that women in technology can challenge the implicit notions many of us have regarding what women are capable of and what careers they are best suited to.

Marissa: What is it that you enjoy most about your current job at Dataprise?

Elena: I appreciate that I’ve been given the space to think creatively when developing a strategy to address problems and challenges that the sales team may be facing. That creativity also lends itself to being able to slowly build the Sales Enablement function at Dataprise from the ground up, and I’m excited to see how it starts establishing its roots in the organization.

Marissa: Where do you see yourself going from here?

Elena: As I’m still new in the role, I’d love to continue settling into the position and really learn more about Dataprise and our solutions so that I’m best equipped to support our team.