FIRST THOUGHT: Technology 101
There’s a silly joke that’s made the rounds on the internet that I just had to share. A kid sees a floppy disk and says, “Oh, you 3-D printed the ‘save’ icon!” There’s a reason why we all love it. For those who don’t remember, floppy disks were a mainstay until the mid-1990s, before saving data to CDs, the cloud or to a zip drive became all the rage. For a frame of reference, a floppy disk isn’t even big enough to hold one modern-day song. Talk about the worst playlist ever! So, while you might reminisce about the “save” icon of the past, I think we can all agree modern technology beats it any day!
WOMEN IN NUMBERS: 48 Percent
Believe it or not, industrious people are the reason kids these days don’t know what a floppy disk is. Techies work their whole lives developing bits of tech we rely on every day, without most of us giving their hard work a passing thought. When we talk with On The Dot fans in the tech industry, these ladies often express the challenges of working in this still male-dominated industry, including a dearth of other female techies to help guide their way. According to a recent report from one nonprofit tech association, of the top five barriers experienced by women in the technology industry, the top barrier, at 48 percent, is a lack of mentors, followed by a lack of female role models in the field.
WOMAN TO WATCH: Jessica Naziri, Founder and CEO of TechSesh
You might work at a four-person startup or for a $4 billion enterprise and have trouble finding women to look up to. That’s where the internet comes in, giving women everywhere access to admirable role models near and far. And today’s Woman to Watch definitely fits that bill. Jessica Naziri is the founder and CEO of TechSesh, a website, blog and online shop dedicated to the intersection between technology and lifestyle.
As Jessica says, she has a one-tech mind, and as a former tech journalist and lifelong style enthusiast, this savvy gal offers a unique perspective on all things tech, a perspective that’s been featured in such technology-focused publications as Mashable and TechCrunch, as well as big-name TV networks like the Travel Channel and news organizations like NPR and CNN.
If you’ve ever searched for gadget reviews online, you probably found a guy babbling about tech in a way you can’t quite relate to. Jessica gets it. While working as a tech reporter, she noticed how gadgets meant to be used by women were often reviewed by male reporters, who frequently left much to be desired in their critiques. That’s why with TechSesh, Jessica provides tech product reviews with the same savvy knowledge but from a woman’s perspective.
After visiting the lauded Consumer Electronics Show last year, Jessica curated a list of the top gadgets of 2017. From self-lacing shoes to a high-tech mirror that tracks the improvement of your skin and a sleek, fitness-focused Bluetooth ring, these are products that women could actually use, and thanks to Jessica offering a female take on these gadgets, they become more appealing. The TechSesh site is accessible and inviting for both the expert and novice techie.
By demystifying technology, Jessica makes the digital space feel exciting and fresh. Thanks, Jessica, for making geek chic by bringing tech to women and women to tech.
QUITE THE QUOTE
With Jessica Naziri and TechSesh in mind, today’s quote comes from Alisha Ramos of Vox Media. She said:
“Having role models who are the same gender as you, who look like you, who came from a similar background as yours can go a long way.”
This is Melinda Garvey signing off until next time. Remember, ladies, empowered women empower other women. Share On the Dot so more women can have a voice. Thanks for getting ready with us.
To learn more about our conversation, check us out at OnTheDotWoman.com and talk to us @OnTheDotWoman on Twitter and Instagram. We’d love to hear your voice.
Head shot photo by Alyssa Zakaria.