Women in Technology: Meet Joanne

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

Joanne: I was looking to start a career in Accounting for a company in the private sector. Technology firms were on my priority list because technology is what drives business nowadays and always innovates itself. In 2013, I came across an opportunity to work at a small IT Services company, which was later acquired by Dataprise in 2014 and I’ve been here ever since.

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

Joanne: I studied International Trade in college and during my senior year, I interned with a textile export company in Shanghai. I didn’t think I was learning anything new during that time, so I decided to study abroad and experience life in America. During my 2 years of graduate school studying Economics, we often used Matlab and Stata to run data models. This was my first taste of using technology to explore and create – which ultimately led me to cross paths with Dataprise. I guess you can say it was a windy road, but I’m always fascinated by technology and working within the industry made perfect sense.

Marissa: How long have you been with Dataprise?

Joanne: I just celebrated my 6-year anniversary!

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

Joanne: I work on our Accounting Team as the Financial Reporting Manager. On a typical day, I monitor bank transactions, maintain general ledger and prepare Profit and Loss (P/L) analysis.

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

Joanne: Don’t get discouraged by the stereotypes. Women can build a great career in technology, keep learning, shoot high and work hard!

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

Joanne: I wish I had less hesitation and self-doubt along the way. I wasn’t sure if I had enough technical knowledge, but the truth is, I will never have enough technology knowledge since it is changing every day – and that is the beauty of it! Find an aspect of technology that you are interested in, whether it is cyber security or UX, start a job that allows you to learn and grow, and keep getting better at what you do. This is how you’ll set yourself up for a long-lasting, fulfilling technology career.

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

Joanne: A nice and spacious bathroom at the office- I’m just kidding! It is to witness more and more women joining the workforce and see how women are changing the shape of the industry.

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

Joanne: I love the people I work with. I appreciate that I’m encouraged to learn and given the space to grow professionally.

Marissa: Where do you see yourself going from here?

Joanne: Keep getting better at what I do and learn more along the way.