In 2023, approximately 23% of Software Engineers in the US identified as women. I couldn’t find any data to break that number down any further, but twenty-three is already a pretty small percentage to start with.

When I was in undergrad, and even when I first started my career as a Software Engineer, I saw this lack of representation as an opportunity. As a first generation (by the definition I have always followed) South Asian woman, I felt that this was a void I could fill, hoping that at least one little Indian girl would see me and believe that they could do what I was doing and more. I still feel that way, but I also now understand the challenges that come too. It's really hard to advocate for yourself, to feel like you belong in a space when so many people around you are saying and implying otherwise.

I felt lost and inadequate, and in order to try and pull myself up I turned to the things that had helped me before: my female mentors and books, written by powerful women who had fought their way to the top in their respective technology companies. But somehow none of those things helped me. Nothing felt relatable. No one told me anything I truly needed to hear and I felt myself spiraling, feeling more and more incompetent and unworthy in my field and at my job.

So what did manage to pull me out of that? My friends - the community of strong, smart, amazing women that I had built around me without even noticing it. The women who deeply understand the feelings of marginalization - as well as the despair and anger that accompany it. They showed me that I was not alone, that they understood me and what was happening, and that we could get through those feelings together. They created a safe pocket for me, somewhere I could share those concerns and that anger and be met with nothing but understanding and empathy.

I hope to create a space here that can do that for others. I hope that by sharing my experiences and emotions, lessons I've learned, information I’ve gathered, and books I've read, I can help someone else before they start that spiral. And I hope you can be a part of that as well.

Welcome to Programmher, and remember: when the technology field or your work doesn't seem to respect you, I do. When things are difficult and you feel alone, know that you're not alone, because we are in this together.