The past several years have seen an increasing effort to bring more women into the technology and STEM fields, where women continue to be underrepresented. At Appfire, we are proud of our engineers across the globe who make invaluable contributions each day, but we also acknowledge there is more work to be done to encourage women to pursue careers in this critical industry. From supporting organizations like Girls Who Code to ensuring women are represented on our Executive Leadership team, Board of Directors, and Advisory Board, we’re proud of our progress, but also recognize that this is still just the beginning.
As we celebrate Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate the talented female team members in our ranks who recognize engineering as their passion. We spoke with some of them to learn more about why they chose this industry and what advice they would give to girls and women looking to pursue careers in this field.
Why engineering? What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
“Every day, you have new challenges and skills to focus on. This gives you the opportunity to solve problems and design products that make the world a better place.”
Manisha Kharga, Senior Application Support Engineer
“At the end of the day, I did not want to be 1 among 100, but rather 1 out of 100 who can make a difference — and be where my presence makes a difference.”
Ravya Mutyala, Senior Application Support Engineer
Why is it important for women to be part of the engineering industry?
“Women play an important role in bringing different perspectives and unique ideas to the table. We are keen observers, natural planners, and have an innate ability to keep the bigger picture in mind. All of these skills are critical to the engineering field and areas where women can help enhance the quality of the deliverable.”
Sunita Patro, Product Engineering Manager
What advice would you give to other women joining this field that you wished you received earlier in your career?
“I have been lucky to have different mentors who have taught me valuable lessons. However, there is one particular phrase I wish I had come across earlier: “It’s better to ask for forgiveness than for permission.” This empowering mindset has encouraged me to make numerous decisions independently, fostering personal growth and development.”
Patricia Yagüe, Head of Product Engineering
“It’s our life experiences that are the best teachers, mentors, and influencers. If we can gain perspective from these experiences, they’ll show us what we can achieve. All we need to have is patience, trust, and a strong work ethic, and then leave the rest to the experiences.”
Ravya Mutyala, Senior Application Support Engineer
Many women in tech have stated that they lack representation within the tech culture. When considering a job in engineering, what qualities do you recommend others look for in a potential employer?
“I was drawn to Appfire’s dedication to employee engagement, growth, and stability. Seeking out a company that is focused on these factors enables employees to focus on developing their skills and finding growth opportunities, which is empowering.”
Manisha Kharga, Senior Application Support Engineer
“Find a company with a great management team that is helpful, understanding, and encouraging. Appfire’s management team is like this; everyone always gives value to our ideas, and everyone is treated as an equally important part of the team.”
Ravya Mutyala, Senior Application Support Engineer
Appfire is hiring! Check out our current job openings, including many on our engineering team.