Ada Lovelace has often been regarded as one of the world’s first computer programmers following her documented algorithm in the 19th century. In celebration of Ada Lovelace Day, ThoughtWorks hosted a special edition By ThoughtWorks event on Tuesday 8 October featuring some incredible women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Our speakers shared their personal career journeys with lots of practical tips on how to navigate the industry at various stages – from graduate to senior leadership and everything in between. Please take a look at their slides here.

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ADA LOVELACE DAY 2019 - MELBOURNE
Dalzy Mendoza, Silvia Sanchez, Michele Playfair

2. Dalzy
Mendoza
How I’m Still a Dev After
Failing 10 Uni Subjects

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Failing a
lot of
subjects
Happy
developer
:)

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Failing a
lot of
subjects
Happy
developer
:)
Facing my
insecurities Continually iterating
on my learnings

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2014
One of those
uni students

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2014
One of those
uni students
2015
Not really one of
those students

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2014
One of those
uni students
2015
Not really one of
those students
2016
Doing another
take on 2015

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1.
Make new
friends
2.
Set small goals
3.
Keep going
My 3 Pillars of Surviving in 2016

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2014
One of those
uni students
2015
Not really one of
those students
2016
Doing another
take on 2015
2017
Going slow and
steady

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2014
One of those
uni students
2015
Not really one of
those students
2016
Doing another
take on 2015
2018
One hella high
of a year
2017
Going slow and
steady

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- Ryan Holiday, The Obstacle is the Way
“The obstacle in the path becomes the path.
Never forget, within every obstacle is an
opportunity to improve our condition.”

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1. “Talent” wins over perseverance.
2. It is more shameful to try and fail, than to protect a
sense of permanent success by not trying at all.

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2019
And she lived happily ever after?

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2019
And she lived happily ever after? Joining my first client engagement

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2019
And she lived happily ever after? Joining my first client engagement

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2019
And she lived happily ever after? Joining my first client engagement

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2019
And she lived happily ever after? Joining my first client engagement

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1. What’s in my control?
2. From stressing about external factors to taking
small relevant steps on things within my control.

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1.
Have a support
network
2.
Set small goals
on what’s in
my control
3.
Keep going
My Updated 3 Pillars of Surviving

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Is the obstacle in your path,
nothing else but you?

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Thank You
Dalzy Mendoza
dalzy-mendoza
@sleepleaps

23. Silvia
Sanchez
A Juggling Story from a
Non-English (speaking)
Mum in a Director Seat

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juggle
24
verb
continuously toss into the air and catch (a number of objects) so as to keep at least one in
the air while handling the others.
● cope with by adroitly balancing (several activities)
● organise (information or figures) in order to give a particular impression

25. Juggling the Director role
Operational and project-based,
24/7
Service-focused,
complex stakeholder mapping
Digital comms, publishing, web
delivery, design and UX
Very low budget for CAPEX,
relying on in-team capability
Male-dominant team,
particularly in the beginning
Increasingly received support,
foundational work required first
Customer-centric, strong UX
foundations and Agile
Moved between tech and
marketing, academic originally

26. Managing a digital team - learnings
● Juggling 24/7 and managing expectations early
● The best reward is the one you get from people
● Learn how to say no nicely
● Speak up, earn trust and use it to influence
● Make your own decisions - use evidence
● Understand motives - doesn’t matter who yells most.
● Communicate, communicate, communicate.

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A typical day (Mon to Fri)
Drop kid/s to
childcare
Commute to
work
6 to 9 AM
Work
Wake
up
Get
kids/
house
ready
Get
me
ready
Work
Commute
back home
Arrive home
for dinner
(ready)
Bedtime Books
House Bath
6.30 to 11 PM
Small
business
Meetings
Get
information
/ coordinate
efforts
Problem
solving
Admin /
reporting
9 to 5.30 - 6PM
Team
support
Planning /
Forecasting

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The layers
Kids behaviour - sleep, emotions, habits
Kids’ progress - help them learn, support
Activities - soccer, swimming, music
Health - doctors, appointments, illness
Social - playdates, parties, presents
Social - friendships, catch-ups
Parents, siblings, nephews/nieces
Visits to family
Planning a holiday, bookings
Gym, exercise, health
Haircut, colour, waxing, clothing
TV? Music, theatre
Marriage, partnership, relationship
House - routine chores
House - extra chores: flyscreens, aircon
House - buy, renovate, sell, move
Groceries &
cooking
Laundry &
sorting
Cleaning
Professional growth
Networking
After-hours work commitments
Team life events

29. Key reminders from being a mum
Stop the guilt! Be present
You’ll be a (top)
model, finally
Don’t judge

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English as a second language
Practice.
Don’t be shy.
Ask away.
When are you at your
best?
Excel page (not sheet)
Let’s go to the ocean (not
the beach)
“In my country…” don’t
forget to look forward.
Keep the YOU that makes
you YOU.
Have a go! Know your limits
Understand the
cultural context

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My juggling tips
● Learn from everything - it’s not always going to be positive.
● You can’t do it all - product manage.
● Acceptable level of fidelity (good enough).
● Forgive yourself - be kind to ‘try your best’
● Find support systems (kanban, calendar, to-do list, hired help, takeaway)
● Test & learn - if it doesn’t work, change it.
● Catch up on weekends - work part-time (4 days for me)
● Work for someone flexible - if you aren’t already, consider changing.

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Thank you!
You have juggled well!
Silvia Sanchez
ssanchez@thoughtworks.com

33. Michele
Playfair
“On the Practicality
of Adages”
micheleplayfair

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Thank You
For questions or suggestions:
Michele Playfair
michele@yowconference.com
micheleplayfair