Celebrating Women’s History Month: 5 Minutes with a Tech Exec | Tricia O’Brien, Director of Service Delivery
In honor of Women's History Month, we're proud to present our blog series, "5 Minutes with a Tech Exec." We've engaged in insightful conversations with tech executives and chief technology officers to give you the unique opportunity to gain wisdom and career advice from experienced technologists.
Uncover personal and professional journeys, from career inspiration to overcoming challenges on the path to executive leadership. These articles, adapted from personal interviews, offer insights into mentorship, leadership styles, and the future of women in tech. Join us as we amplify the voices of women in tech, celebrating their achievements and inspiring inclusion.
Tricia O'Brien is the Director of Service Delivery for Object Computing, Inc., in Saint Louis, Missouri, and also the Director of Women Who Code Saint Louis. Reflecting on her path to a career in technology, Tricia reminisced about her early fascination with coding, which ignited at the age of nine during a summer college class. She recalled coding a slithering snake on green screen consoles and experiencing a spark: "Back in the days of green screen consoles prior to monitors, I loved... breaking down tasks into instructions and... making a computer do a thing.”
Despite her early passion for technology, Tricia's career journey took a "windy" path due to a lack of confidence. Initially pursuing business administration and accounting in college, she found herself drawn back to technology while working as an airline reservations agent, where she wrote scripts to automate tasks. This rekindled her love for coding.
"I started working in airline reservations, and I actually worked in a corporate travel agency. At that time, I started writing little scripts as I was making my reservations. I would write scripts to automate parts of my job so that I wouldn't forget... So I decided after some thought to pursue a BS in computer science," Tricia said. She transitioned to roles in IT and software development.
Over the course of more than 20 years in the industry, Tricia has held various positions, including developer, manager, and project leader. Reflecting on her success, she credits the guidance and support of mentors and sponsors who recognized her potential and provided opportunities for growth. She affectionately refers to these individuals as her "personal board of directors," emphasizing the importance of encouragement and mentorship in one's career journey.
"I have been lucky to have lots of different people over the years who've seen a spark of something in me that they've invested in. Some are leaders; some are coworkers; some are men; some are women... without these people guiding and directing, providing opportunities and above all encouraging, I would not be the person I am today," Tricia reflected.
When asked about advice she wishes she had received earlier in her career, Tricia highlights the importance of embracing imperfection, seeking help when needed, and overcoming imposter syndrome with humor and confidence. "I wish I had known all along that I would become a trickster goddess," Tricia joked.
Looking ahead, she sees the future of technology, particularly in artificial intelligence, as both promising and potentially perilous for women. With only 20% of AI engineers and researchers being women, Tricia emphasizes the importance of diversity in shaping AI technologies to mitigate bias and ensure inclusivity.
"A lot is going on in the generative AI space... I would love to see more women and diverse people in these fields to bring perspectives that will ultimately reduce bias in the data that impacts the tools that are shaping our world," Tricia stressed.
Tricia advocates for mentorship, advocacy, and education to inspire inclusion and support women in tech. "One [thing people can do]... is be a mentor, be an advocate... [also] work towards equal opportunities and salaries for women in your organizations... [and] volunteer and donate to girl stems for STEM programs," Tricia urged.
In sharing her story, Tricia expresses gratitude for the opportunity to inspire others and underscores the importance of community and support in achieving success in the tech industry. "I'm really grateful for the opportunity for Women Who Code to be able to share some of my story."
Pro-Tips for Diverse Technologists Inspired by Tricia
- Lead with Confidence and Humor: Remember, it's okay to have only some of the answers and to stumble along the way. Rather than aiming for perfection, prioritize continuous learning and growth. Approach leadership authentically, embracing your unique strengths and quirks. Don't hesitate to inject humor into your interactions and celebrate your achievements, regardless of their scale.
- Harness Your Diverse Journey: Whether you're transitioning from a different field or starting out with unconventional experiences, embrace the diversity of your journey. Recognize the value and use your diverse experiences as assets to approach problems creatively, foster innovation, and drive meaningful change within your organization.
- Foster a Supportive Community: Cultivate a network of mentors, sponsors, and peers who champion your growth and development. Seek out mentors and engage with communities like Women Who Code to connect with like-minded individuals, share knowledge, and find inspiration. You'll gain invaluable support, encouragement, and opportunities for collaboration as you strive for leadership roles in the tech industry.
💝 Invest in Women in Tech and Support Women Who Code: You can empower the vital work we do to help diverse women excel and thrive in their tech careers. Give to help us raise $30,000 during Women's History Month and inspire inclusion in tech. Donate now.