I have spent 26 years in the High Tech industry, first as a developer of embedded software before running a small R&D lab when I was 28 years old. When the french startup I was working for was purchased by Phillips 2 years later, I had realized that I needed more people interaction in my work-life and moved to product marketing, then business development, globally for their broadband technology. Joining Nortel Networks in 1998 allowed to deepen both my sales and business development experience before becoming EMEA marketing director for their data product lines, a great experience. My 10 years at Microsoft, first in their European head-quarters and then Corporate offices in Redmond WA, provided me opportunities in Sales, Business Development, Marketing and Operations and Organizational Development.
I truly believe that no other industry would have provided me with such a breadth and depth of experiences and the opportunity to move seamlessly across functional disciplines. And I actually believe the pace of change and innovation makes the environment more open to diverse opinions and styles.
Yes, I was often the only woman in the room and yes, some days were tough but I am grateful for the learning, the experience and the leadership opportunities that shaped me as a professional and a leader and that prepared me in so many ways to embrace the career I had been dreaming of for so long.
I was therefore so happy to have the opportunity to contribute to the article below . I would love your feed-back and would welcome your comments below. Have you had a career in tech? Are you considering one? Please share your own experience.
