NAF Alumna Ana Medina on the Challenges for Women in Tech

It feels amazing to receive this award in a room full of people who understand and value the capabilities of talented young people — especially those from racial and ethnic minority groups, and especially young women.

It’s true that my success story started pretty young. When I was 12, I learned to use Microsoft Publisher. One day, I pressed the button for html, not knowing what it would do. I researched and taught myself how to code in CSS and html. Soon, I was making websites. I would tell my friends: Copy and paste this code into your Myspace profile and it’ll look great! By ninth grade, I was developing this as a business venture – I even bought my own domain.

Having a NAF Academy of Information Technology at my high school was incredibly fortunate. My teachers let me advance at my pace and made sure I was challenged. Halfway through 10th grade, my advisor got me an early internship placement at my old middle school. I helped them create their website and assisted in their computer class.

That summer, I interned with the South Florida Educational Federal Credit Union. I was trusted to build a mobile app for the company. My supervisors gave me full responsibility. They said, “Run with it.”

Before that internship, I worried that a tech career would keep me stuck in my cubicle all the time. But the cubicle life isn’t boring when you’re part of an amazing team. At the Credit Union and in my academy, I had the support systems that kept me moving forward and helped me make decisions. Then, I went out beyond those support systems, out beyond the partner relationships brokered by NAF, and wow – it’s different.

I knew tech was male dominated and I was not intimidated by this. What I didn’t know is that I would be seen by many men as if they were looking through a fun-house mirror that exaggerated everything about me that’s feminine and Latina, and made the resources I provide as an experienced, inventive, and capable engineer disappear. To fellow engineers, senior leaders, and some managers, I was not considered a technical resource at all. They said things to my face and on social media that should never be said.

My years in the industry have taught me that technical skills are easier to navigate than the politics of privilege. When I stand up for myself, I hear: “Dude, this happens at every single company — what are you doing? Why are you making this a big deal?”

At my academy, my talent wasn’t the least bit surprising. My credibility was never in doubt. I pursued a career in engineering because it is straight to the point, analytical. But trying to grow as an engineer and fight for diversity is like running with two torches on fire, hoping that I won’t get burned.

Today, I’m the same curious and focused person I’ve always been. No one can take that away from me or make it disappear. Other women have been through this before. They made it better for me. Now it’s my turn, and I am certain I can leave it better for the next ones. Thank you for this award and for the love and support that comes with it. And thank you for always seeing me as I truly am.