What does it take to break into tech without a computer science degree? In this captivating episode of Service X Factor, we meet Emily, whose journey from art major to successful tech professional challenges conventional wisdom about career paths in technology.

Emily's story begins at a crossroads after being laid off from her job in Chicago. Despite having no formal technical education, she taught herself coding languages like Python and SQL, leveraging her network to land her first tech position. Seven years later, she's thriving in an industry where she once felt like an outsider. Her experience highlights a crucial truth: tenacity matters more than credentials when building a career in technology.

The conversation delves into the unique challenges women face in tech environments. Emily speaks candidly about battling imposter syndrome while being judged against male counterparts and shares how she balances the demands of her career with motherhood. Rather than seeing these challenges as limitations, she's transformed them into strengths, developing exceptional organizational skills and learning to prioritize effectively.

Mentorship emerges as a powerful theme throughout the discussion. Emily credits her success to influential mentors who guided her professional development, while she now pays it forward by mentoring high school students in tech incubator programs. One particularly touching moment comes when she describes a female student thanking her for demonstrating that women belong in STEM fields.

The conversation also explores practical applications of emerging technologies. Emily shares how she's created custom AI agents to streamline both work tasks and her personal side business of thrifting and reselling items online. Her approach demonstrates how AI can be harnessed for practical, everyday solutions rather than just theoretical applications.

For listeners considering a career pivot or facing obstacles in their professional journey, Emily's parting wisdom resonates deeply: ”If there was never a seat at the table, I would make my own.” Her story is a powerful reminder that with persistence and courage, you can create your own path in any industry, regardless of your background.

Tune in to hear Emily's full journey and discover how women are reshaping the technology landscape one seat at the table at a time.

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