Better Together: The Women Behind the Scenes at EDCi

The Women Behind the Scenes at EDCi

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to shine a spotlight on a few of the remarkable women who contribute to not only the success of our company but our communities. From breaking barriers to shaping the future of EDCi, our talented employees contribute their diverse talents, perspectives, and leadership to every aspect of our operations. Their dedication, innovation, and resilience inspires us daily, driving us forward and shaping our shared success. Read along with us as we share advice, experiences, and so much more about the women behind the scenes at EDCi.

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KC

As a female professional, we face gender expectation challenges and are given tips and advice to help us achieve a certain perception amongst our colleagues. When we show assertiveness, we are perceived as being difficult, but when we are too nice, we struggle to be seen as a leader or competitive. 

I’ve been told to rethink baking cookies for my officemates or that I smile too much, and those things may hinder me from climbing the corporate ladder. Or that a live-in au pair and enrolling your toddlers in Mandarin classes are what women in the corporate world should be striving to achieve as “working moms”. 

It sounds a bit cliché, but I believe it is important to stay true to who you are. My advice to my younger self would be to bake the cookies, lift your coworkers up and support them, and stay true to yourself. Authenticity is fundamental to success, in any role. Your colleagues and those around you need to trust your character and connect with you. Fostering an inclusive environment fuels innovation and inspires your team to take risks.  Kindness, empathy, and emotional intelligence are all great qualities in a strong leader. Women should not have to sacrifice themselves for the sake of overcoming gender stereotypes. 

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Amy

To girls and women pursuing your dreams, I would highly recommend joining female career groups in the field, like Women in Technology (WIT), for support and advice.

My favorite part about my job is supporting and helping people do their jobs better through technology. I enjoy seeing the relief or light bulb moment when working with someone is the best.

The biggest challenge has been being comfortable with few or no other women in the room/meeting and not being afraid to speak up or ask questions. This is true for every aspect of technology – work, conferences/seminars, classrooms, etc.

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Liz

The most rewarding part of a tech career is how much I’ve learned and continue to learn over the years. I work with some brilliant people and learn from them everyday. Literally.

To all the young girls out there interested in technology, I say, “Do it.” All career fields are better with a diverse group – from gender, education, race, and income –diversity in IT will improve it overall.

Lastly, if you’re interested in working in tech you should have the ability and desire to:

1.    Work on a team. Recognize that while you’re “able” to work alone, working with others creates much more success.

2.    Learn how to grow in your field, personally, and professionally.

3.    Be transparent in your words and in your actions.

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Patti

The most challenging aspect of a tech career is that the industry is always changing. Keeping up with the latest software and best practices is an ongoing process. On the flip side, it means we are always learning new things, which I enjoy.

Part of my job that I love, is that we get to build things and help make other people’s jobs easier. With software development, you get to see what you are developing, test what you are developing (which is cool to see the results), and then get to have other people use it. When someone tells you how much time you saved them or made something easier it’s a great feeling of accomplishment.

To all the girls interested in tech out there… Go for it! Anything you put your mind to you can accomplish. Technology is no different. I currently lead a First Lego League team comprised of Girl Scouts, so it’s never too early to be exposed to programming/robotics. There are numerous STEM programs out there around all areas of technology, find one and give it a try!

When it comes to working in tech, I believe the top three essential skills are:‍

Perseverance. It’s important inTech and in any job, you want to tackle. Failure will happen, make sure you learn something, pick yourself up, and try again.

Communication. Make sure you understand the needs of the customer you are working for and communicate with the people you work with to get the task done. Being on the same page is important.

Positive attitude. A positive attitude will help you engage with customers and put a smile on people’s faces around you. It’s always easy to look at the negative side of things, being positive will benefit yourself and your team.

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Sarah

While I’m truly blessed to carry on the family business, following in my grandpa and dad’s footsteps, I also carry with me each day the wonderful life lessons learned from the fabulous women in my family.

• My Grammy:  living life with a free spirit keeps the mind sharp and the heart full.
• My mom:  life is too short to be anything but your true self…when all else fails, drink more water, and take Advil.
• My sister:  you don’t have to be a musician selling out arenas to be a Rockstar.
• My daughter:  take whatever life throws at you, look it straight in the eye, and say “Let’s do this!”

As we bid farewell to Women’s History Month, Let’s remember to amplify women’s voices, support their aspirations, and break down barriers together. Let their passion, innovation, and resilience be an inspiration to us all. By doing so, we not only uplift one another but also contribute to a more inclusive world. Together we can make a difference.