Two years ago, I started looking for
opportunities around the world that would enable me to experience new
challenges, explore different cultures and cultivate a growth mindset. I
applied to several programs abroad but I got rejected, I was upset; I didn’t
know that God holds me the best.
Same period last year, I heard about
the TechWomen Program. I visited the website, I read articles and watched videos
about it. I prepared my application and two days before the application deadline,
I submitted mine. A few months later, I couldn’t hide my excitement when I
received a congratulations email for being selected as TechWomen Emerging
Leader with more than 100 women across the world. I started preparing myself to
live a successful experience there; but in fact, I was going to dive into a
truly life-changing experience.
I was interested in participating in
the TechWomen Program because it’s one of the best programs that empower women
in STEM. I wanted to be surrounded by professional leaders and mentors who
would help me reach my untapped potential and achieve my learning objectives.
I was hosted at Mozilla, a
leading tech company in Silicon Valley. My project was about learning new
technologies and tools for STEM Education and develop my leadership and
management skills.
During my mentorship at Mozilla, I
learned that Mozilla is not limited to Firefox. Mozilla is a foundation that
values people before profit, creates products and projects that make Internet
healthier for everyone. It’s a global community that works for a common
mission. I got that collaboration is the key to make success and have
maximum impact.
I met one of the Mozillians who told
me something I can’t forget “You will not remember the software but you
will remember the people”.
I learned how important to create strong
connections to build a better world for my community and myself. Besides all
this, I recognized the value of diversity & inclusion in making people
creative & more impactful.
I couldn’t be more grateful for the
TechWomen Program for matching me with a company that cares about its mission
and its people. I felt I was at the right place.
The TechWomen Program was not only
about professional development but also it
was a personal progress which had the greatest impact on me.From the
first day, I felt that I was getting out of my comfort zone, this gave me the
opportunity to deepen my understanding of myself. At the beginning, I was
afraid not to meet the expectations of my mentors and people who believe in me,
the talented women I met impressed me, I started thinking if I could stand
among them and all this held me back.
After exchanging experiences with
each other, I realized that I wasn’t alone, we shared the same thoughts. I
learned to recognize my strengths and focus on them, to appreciate what I already
have and develop my skills, to let myself emerge into new challenges that will
shape the person who I will become in the future.
This experience allows me to go
beyond my fears and know that we are powerful more than we realize as women. I
was looking to be a better person personally and professionally but the program
gave me so much more, I gained a family that supports me and cheers my success
forever.
Sara DIB
Mentee at Mozilla
2019 TechWomen Fellow
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