Wow! Today is International Women's Day. I am glad that this day officially exist to give value and honor to all the women in the world who are making great difference.

I would like count myself in for making a difference and also to my mother who is not with me in this world today.

About Me :)

My name Jonah Andersson is a Filipina-Swedish Software Developer at Forefront Consulting, Sweden.

I studied Computer Science, Agile System Development i C# .NET, and Programming in Java. I had a childhood dream of being an architect or civil engineer but due to life circumstances, I ended up studying about the science of computers and programming and she didnt regret that! In fact, I enjoys being a programmer!

I enjoys solving challenging complex problems, coding back-end and has great interest in developing applications full-stack in C# .NET using new technologies such as Microsoft Azure. From time to time, I shares my technical knowledge at some virtual conferences and user groups on my spare time.

I used to teach programming to kids in schools and saw the gender inequality problem there. I volunteer to mentor and to help make a difference by inspiring tech to young women. I like to connect with other developers, share my technical skills with others, and personally helping out with gender diversity and inclusion in my workplace.

My Inspiring Story To Tech and Software Engineering

My journey to starting a career to the tech industry is a long, challenging and inspiring story. It all started in the Philippines where I grew up. When I was a young girl, I got to watch a story about the amazon women, back then when I was a kid, they were used to be known to be fierce female warriors. Different, strong and brave.

When I was growing up, I wanted to be different and strong like the amazon women Ive been on TV. However, I was not as brave when I was a young girl. I was shy and was scared to be in the crowd. My mother used to encourage me to face that fear. My choice of dream job and education were influenced by my dreams and what I wanted myself to be - to be different, brave, and strong. That somehow influenced me. I had a dream to become a civil engineer, which was back then known to be a men-dominated job wherever you are.

That dream job didnt happen because of life circumstances and economic reasons. In the Philippines, getting a good degree in a good college or a university is not free. We dont have that privilege of free university education. However, we have scholarship programs supported by private organizations or the government.

Since my parents could not afford to send me to college and take the civil engineering degree that I dreamed of, I took the initiative of taking a government scholarship that was offered in my high school back then.

I really want to go to the university and chase my dreams. So, when I was finishing high school, I took a scholarship exam offered. I took the scholarship exam, I passed it and I did it. I got the scholarship!

Although I did not not have the option to study civil engineering in my scholarship program, but I was really glad. I had the opportunity to study Computer Science at a private college Asian College of Science and Technology in the Philippines. I studied a degree in Computer Science as a scholar and graduated in 2004. It was also the toughest year in my life when my mother (also my best-friend mom) died of breast cancer.

I just turned 18 years old then. When my mother died, as the eldest child in the family, I was forced to take the responsibility of being the breadwinner of the family. Instead of finding a job within the programming field, I took the first job as technical support that I could have back then to earn a living.

When I moved from the Philippines to Sweden 9 years ago, I decided to pursue my passion and dream to work with software engineering. I studied more about software development in programming languages C# and Java for another 3 years until I got my first job as a full stack software developer in Sweden.

Volunteering - Mentorship and Being A Role-Model To Fix Gender Diversity Problem

Last December 2020, I was invited to speaking at Virtual Azure Community Day. One of the topics I proposed talking was about Gender Inequality Problem in Tech. In that talk, I presented to the public the list of reasons, what I think we should do and what I am doing myself to fix it. You can watch my talk about it on Gender Inequality in Tech - Why Is it a problem and How can we fix it?

The things I've learned working as a woman in tech and working in software engineering field

Although I am a programmer who is expected to think logically, I am also a deep thinker and a reflective person. I have learned a lot in life and through the years so far working as a woman in tech.

I have learned to keep learning from whatever challenges I face. To think outside the box. To learn how to see things in a bigger perspective yet understand what small details. To never take things personally if there are people who drag me down and belittles me. To be myself, be unique and to never pretend to be a better person you are not - just to prove myself to others expectations. To be open and true to yourself and work to your goals - not for others, but for the best self.

My Advice to all women and anyone who belongs to underrepresented groups who want to work in Tech Industry

To follow your heart, your dreams, dare speak up and never give up! To find a good mentor and good role models. Follow the desires of your heart and what you want to achieve. To never give when everything seems hopeless. Value your good contacts and network with people in tech. Dare speak up your thoughts even if you feel uncomfortable.

Check out my video interview sharing my inspiring story at FTWConf.com event today.