poornima

There has been a lot of conversation in the tech community about how to build a pipeline of computer scientists for the next generation, bring awareness to groups that aren’t current represented and improve diversity numbers. While there’s been a lot of work and initiatives that have cropped up over the years, there’s still a lot to be done. Whether you believe in diversity or are skeptical...

I’m a HUGE proponent of working for an early stage startup, having already done it three times in my career. I even did a series a couple years ago to showcase the benefits of being an early stage startup employee, which you can watch here. However, early stage isn’t the only stage. It would be unfair of me to or anyone else to lead you astray based on what has worked for us. You’ve got to find...

What’s THE best problem to have hands down? Most people would say growth. And I’d agree 100%. But it’s not as rosy as you’d imagine. Whether you’ve gone from a five-person garage startup to 15, 50 or 500 person team, there will be some challenges. And at each stage tackling those challenges can leave us feeling like growth is more of a burden than a boon. We have to learn to balance the...

Did you take a risk and then realize, “OMG I am in too deep?” But by the time you realized it, it was too late. There was no time for a do-over. You were stuck and really the only logical thing to do next was to throw in the towel and call it quits. Or was it? Well in today’s episode of FemgineerTV, we’re going to be tackling the topic of how you can rescue yourself from a risky setback. And to...

Have you contemplated leaving the comforts of a company to strike out on your own to pursue a creative calling? Perhaps you have an idea for a product or service. While there’s a strong pull to pursue it, hesitation maybe holding you back. You’re worried about being good enough, attracting customers and clients, and how to make it all come together to find fulfillment, but also tend to the...

Risk can mean a number a number of things. It could mean speaking up. Or striking out on your own. But taking a risk is hard. What’s easier is following a known path. Creating what we’re told to create. Doing what we’re told to do. So why not just go for the easy path? Because it doesn’t always lead to us to feeling fulfilled in our careers and everyday lives. What does is pushing our creative...

You might have used products that just get the job done. (Think Excel.) They compete with similar products on features, cost, and other mechanics. The problem is, these products become commodities and can lose their users to competition in a heartbeat. Meanwhile, there are standout products that are heralded as works of art. They inspire people and change lives, and consumers stick with these...

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a boss you just didn’t quite get along with. Both of mine are reaching for the stars 😉 I always thought it was me… Until one day I met up with a previous boss I had, who saw all the work I had done since leaving the company and told me, “Wow we were really holding you back!” That statement was vindicating. But I didn’t want vindication. What I had wanted all...