Episode Summary
This episode of Sunny Side Up features a discussion about women's careers in tech with Debbie Saskin and Van Hsieh from Demandbase. The speakers share their non-traditional paths into tech from fields like education and biochemistry. They discuss challenges like adapting to new skills and industries, as well as strategies for career advancement through self-advocacy, mentorship, and asking questions. The importance of flexibility, adaptability, and supportive work environments for women in tech are also highlighted.
About the guests
Van Hsieh
Van is a dynamic Sr. Software Engineer at Demandbase. With a career that’s taken her from sales to solutions engineering and finally to software development, Van's love for crafting and delivering tangible projects shines through in her work. Her path, marked by continuous learning and adaptability, showcases a deep-seated passion for exploring new horizons and mastering diverse skills.Outside of the digital realm, Van finds solace and creativity in pottery, an art form that mirrors their professional approach—meticulous, thoughtful, and uniquely personal. Residing in San Francisco, they draw inspiration from the city's vibrant energy, blending the artistry of their hobbies with the innovation of their tech career to create a fulfilling, balanced life.
Connect with Van
Debbie Saskin
Meet Debbie, a seasoned professional in digital marketing and campaign strategy, currently serving as a Manager, Campaign Strategy at Demandbase. Her journey began in a small tech company, evolving through roles in sales assistance and publisher-side Ad Operations before thriving as a Senior Optimization Manager at PebblePost. With a background in education, Debbie seamlessly integrates learning principles into her work, fostering innovative strategies. Her diverse experience equips her for client-facing roles, consistently delivering exceptional results. Beyond work, Debbie enjoys cooking, live music, and travel, finding inspiration in diverse cuisines and cultures.
Connect with Debbie
Key takeaways
- Career paths in tech can start from non-technical backgrounds through opportunities and absorbing new skills
- Self-advocacy, asking questions and finding mentors are important for career growth
- Negotiating salary and promotions requires understanding your own worth and industry standards
- Flexibility and adaptability are valued traits for navigating an ever-changing industry
- Supportive work environments and connections help retain women in tech careers
Quotes“You start rising up, learning a lot, facing a lot of challenges when you're first picking up the skill, everything is new, everything is challenging. So for me, the learning part is pretty much always the biggest challenge. But once you're able to adapt it for yourself, it's going to be with you forever.” -Van on building new skills and learning for growth.
"I think it's really important to have someone that you can look up to and that's advocating for you, as well as doing it for yourself." -Debbie on having a mentor.