What It’s Like to Be One of a Few Women in Software Engineering
“In Quipper I don’t feel any discrimination as a woman. I think we’re all as a team working together on the same thing with the same goal so it doesn’t matter whether you’re a man or woman.” Aulia Nastiti, our Software Engineer told us in an interview. Want to know more about Aulia? Let’s hear her story!
Can you describe to us what you are working as an Android Engineer?
There are 2 android applications that the android team is currently building, the Quipper Learn App for Students and Quipper App for the Educators (Teachers or Coaches). I am part of the Quipper Learn App team along with 5 other members. When I first joined, the android team was working on rebuilding the app UI. Adding new features that we hope could support students’ learning process and keep improving the application.
How does it feel like working in the male-dominated division?
In my past experience as a Software Developer, there was only 1 time that I had another female colleague in the same team. Other than that, I always become the only female on the team but I still have female friends who are on different teams.
It’s no difference when I joined Quipper so it was not something new for me. The only problem is probably how I worried about how to be friends with the new colleagues in my first days because I’m a shy person and everyone already knows each other for a long time. As time goes, it turns out it was an unnecessary worry. Everyone is nice and friendly.
In Quipper, I don’t feel any discrimination as a woman. I think we’re all as a team working together on the same thing with the same goal so it doesn’t matter whether you’re a man or woman.
The most memorable experience was when I got chosen as Quipperior of the month when I was still on probation. I was surprised and didn’t expect that. It was a nice feeling to know that your work is recognized.
Other than that, I love how my colleagues are on the same page about spending our team’s fun activity budget. We eat together outside office hours in an all-you-can-eat restaurant thrice so far! One of them was to celebrate the release of the Quipper application with a completely new and fresh UI.
Based on your experience, what are the top skills you’ll need to succeed at work?
Curiosity and Enthusiasm
I believe that curiosity is a good thing (except for someone’s privacy), just like our 5 years old self. Software development is constantly changing and there are always newer versions which means something new to learn every day. The curiosity along with enthusiasm is also the thing that makes the learning process feel fun. Don’t worry, curiosity won’t kill the cat.
Communication
I think this has been mentioned many times by people and I do agree that communication is an important basic soft skill that we need to have, not just at work but also in everyday life. In the past, I’ve encountered problems that actually rose simply because of miscommunication. Communication can be in the form of listening, asking questions when we don’t understand, how we explain things to our colleagues or listening to our colleagues’ explanations or many other ways. I am still far from great on communication but I’m trying my best to improve myself
Tell us what makes you passionate about work!
I used to volunteer at a social organization, especially helping to prepare activities in education fields for children during my college days in Semarang. I sometimes helped with the teaching itself. Since I graduated and come back to Tangerang, I haven’t got a chance to do so again. Able to share knowledge and help people is one of the best happiness for me. On the other hand, I love crafting. I like to create something with a nice visual that people can use.
For me, being an Android Developer in Quipper is like combining both teachings and crafting at the same time. Even though I don’t do the teaching directly I am glad to be able to participate in crafting an application to help the students with their studies.
Another exciting part is that there are always things to learn. In Quipper, we also have a sharing knowledge culture. It does not just work but also learning.
What are you doing during your free time?
As I mentioned before, I love creating something. From crafting, baking to drawing though I am not good at any of it… I mostly spent my free time drawing things, either digital drawing or a simple watercolor painting. For crafting, I sometimes create keychains from beads or resins. Other than that, I also like to spend time hanging out with my cats.
We heard that you loved traveling, can you share with us what is your favorite place that you have traveled? Why? And what is your next place to visit, why?
My favorite place, or country to be exact, that I have traveled so far is Japan. It wasn’t only the destination but also the preparation and the journey that is the most memorable. Back then in 2018, I was planning to do a backpacker trip with my friend which we have planned for a year before. Unfortunately, my friend had to cancel the trip 3 weeks before our departure.
I have never traveled alone before, nor have I ever been to Japan. I also know no one there. My friends suggested that I cancel the trip too. My parents were also worried about if I would go alone. I was scared at first but I already couldn’t stop thinking about all of the activities that we have planned to do in Japan. In the end, I decided to go alone.
In such a short period, I changed all plans, searched for accommodation for a single person, adjusted the schedule, and extended the trip from 5 days to 9 days. From Tokyo to Hiroshima, I met many nice people along the way. I did not regret my decision to go alone and it became my first experience on solo traveling!
After the corona endemic ended, I hope I could travel again, with family or friends, to Bali or Lombok. I have never been there!
