Sarah Mouton is a Partner Success Manager at Piesync. While speaking to Sarah it was clear that she had a sense of curiosity and determination that made her stand out. This Belgian woman in tech is someone who is the definition of thriving. Don’t miss her interview below:
Q: What made you decide to go into the tech world?
A: I need to tell you that before starting in the tech world I actually worked for the government for almost ten years. But I’ve always been intrigued by technology, the tech world, and what’s going on there. When I was a kid when the new stereo or recording device came in I was the one pushing all the buttons saying “what’s happening here? How does everything work?” I just wanted to find out what was happening. And a few years ago I really noticed how fast the tech world was moving and everything was happening there. It was the place to be. There was a lot of changes happening to our society as well. So I knew I wanted to be there and I wanted to be in that spot where the change is happening, where are all of the new stuff is happening. I made the change and became a customer success manager for a startup and those first few months I learned so many new things because everything was new for me. Right away on the first day, I knew this is where I wanted to be. This was an exchange of information and the dynamic of changing things and trying things out. The innovative side of it was so inspiring. I knew right away that this is the place where I was going to enjoy myself.
Q: Have you ever faced discrimination in the workplace?
A: I wouldn’t say that I have faced discrimination I’ve been in board meetings where I’m the only woman but I wasn’t held back by the fact that I’m a woman. I’ve never felt that, to be honest. I think at Piesync if anyone was to notice any discrimination it would immediately be out in the open like what’s happening here? So discrimination wouldn’t really happen here. There’s a good advantage of being a woman in tech, I love going to events. When you go to the restroom, it’s probably the only place in the world where there’s a line for the men’s restroom and the women can just walk right in.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to women that are just starting their careers?
A: Stay curious. I mean this with everything. When I started in tech I didn’t know a lot of things. My first day I looked around and thought “wow, what is this? Am I ever going to learn this?” but I learned that with being honest and asking questions when I had them I learned a lot. After asking four questions I may have silently written them down and went to Google to find the answers. that’s my advice, stay curious and keep that open mind. You should say “okay, I don’t know what that means but I can find it on Google, I can ask someone.” Just keep learning. The tech space is moving so fast, you have to keep up.
Q: Where do you see women in tech in the future?
A: I think more women are going to choose to be a part of the tech world. And that’s a great evolution, diversity in the workplace creates more creativity; different angles of looking at an issue, looking at a challenge, looking at a problem. Women could also go into it with the angle of what are the problems that we’re facing in our modern world that we didn’t have before? And how are we gonna solve them? How are we going to make the world better for children? I think there’s a lot of initiatives that may come from women in the future.
Q: What makes you feel empowered?
A: For me, empowerment comes from meeting new people. I love having conversations with people who can teach me something about their life or tell their story, you learn from their story. It can make you look at your story from a different angle. You share experiences, and that’s the opportunity you get when you meet new people. That’s when I feel empowered with new insight because I was talking to somebody and learned something from someone. That’s how I recharge myself.
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