Being a mentee in the Silicon Valley

For the last 10 years, I did not have a real mentor, some people shared some essential advises with me but did not stay around that long to follow up. So I found myself trying to learn and evaluate my improvement by myself, which was not that bad.

Once I joined the techwomen program, I started thinking about being a mentee, what would it be in daily bases? What can I bring new to this person that is taking time to be my mentor? What if the relationship mentor mentee doesn't work?

I went from curious to nervous in a very short time, Even stressed.

When I received the email from the techwomen team defining my host company and the name of my mentor, I felt scared and not confident at all, I had to join the number one cloud computing company in the world and I will be matched with one of the director in the company, with a very long CV. I started putting pressure on me, this lady has a very big experience, she is working in the Bay Area, what can I bring in this situation, what can we do together, cloud computing is very far from my professional experience.

We agreed to have a Skype call one day after I reached home, and discuss the different subject proposed and see what can we do, honestly I did not know what can be my outcome from this experience, I joined techwomen to see how people work in the Silicon Valley , to understand the success methodology ( if there is one ) of these companies. So in a matter of project I did not have any idea what can be done or not I was ready to discuss any possible idea.

The brainstorming session had started, my mentor gave me different options, I had to see the positive and negative side of each idea, and we found our self combining different ideas in one project.

The first discussion was so natural, I could not believe it, after the first minutes, I felt comfortable and happy to meet this person even if it was virtual only.

We had around 3 or 4 Skype conversation before to meet in SF, we were able to define our project, try few things, and then I realized I need to start coding. I don't have the background but I always coded during my summer vacation in college, I took the chance to learn different languages and create some small software, but I did not have the mobile app experience, and I felt happy to go out of my comfort zone, to take risks, and try something new and different, I felt ready to trust my mentor with her advises and ideas, because I was able to give my own opinion, and she will listen to me.

When we met in SF, it was like friends meeting again, we were able to talk so naturally about our interests , jobs, and this amazing opportunity to work together.

My first day at office was inspiring, I was surprise how IT department can get everything settle down very quickly, then it was my turn to get into work , into my project, I had ideas to try, and I was all excited.

On the first week I had daily bases meeting with my mentor to discuss the projects and the steps to considere, but when Friday arrived I was freaking out, I felt little lost and not being able to do what I was asked to.

I realized that I can ask questions, I can share my ideas, I write it down, or make some spreadsheet, the most important is to get it out of my head and organize it, at that moment I understood what I had to do, I have got some insights from an amazing and professional lady, Jenny, she took one hour of her time to discuss the project with me, and from that moment everything became clear, my learning path ( the name of the project) is getting clearer for me.

After 3 other weeks of hard work, follow up with my mentor, meetings with people for suggestions, advises, and help I was able to finish that application and learning path. It was hard to convince people to trust me with the content, or with the way I want to code my application, I learned that you can be stubborn but prove that you were right.

It was great to have Jeanette around, it did make me feel safe to know that she is supervising the situation, that I can turn to her if anything is not okay. I enjoyed taking the opportunity to take my own decision, and have the chance to pitch it or argue it.

One month later, I realized that I can do a lot, if I'm in the right environment, but being in an hostile one can only make it much more appreciated challenge.

Looking for the chance to be a mentor, and I think the best way is to create this opportunity and chance.

It was légen.....wait for it......dary

Here I am on the plane from Frankfurt to Algiers.

Going back home, that great adventure is just over, time to get back to the daily life, even if nothing can be as before.

I've been thinking about this trip, about meeting 77 ladies from 16 different countries, it was just an amazing experience.

In the same time, I had the opportunity to meet my friends, people that know me pretty well for a long time, people that I've travelled with, and shared hours of my life.

Being in the techwomen environment, can be overwehlming sometimes, and I found the best way to disconnect for few minutes, or hours to enjoy it.

I felt very happy to meet Allaoua in San Francisco, it was a big surprise but in the same time,a great moment, it was the beginning of the adventure and still I had the chance to discuss it with him and in a certain way modify few things of my way of thinking on the days after his visit

In Washington, I've met Michael, for a lunch moment, we discussed the American culture and society, I felt better when I found that we share the same point of view.

It was also a moment to summarize our working experience with ZTE.

I would have loved to meet someone in Los Angeles or New York , let say it will be for another time

The last but not the least meeting was in Frankfurt airport I met my best buddy, Hakim how crazy is our life, I left New York he left Caracas and just met in the transit area, it was just legendary, he had to run over the airport but totally worth it. In some way I felt relaxed and ready for next trip.

There are friends that you will not meet everyday, you will always have different time zone but an hour with them is all what you need to get back your feeling good moment.

Thanks guys for being my friends, and giving me th opportunity to relay on you.

Cheers

New York New York

The city as Carrie Bradshaw was calling it, New York the city that never sleep, the big apple or Manhattan.

This was the best experience in the trip, I've been to shenzhen or hongkong, so I will not be surprised buy high buildings or light everywhere.

But when I arrived to New York I felt in a series, I was between how I met your mother, sex and the city or gossip girl, arriving at places like upper east side, Harlem, Brooklyn or Central Park was a happiness feeling.

For 3 days I was the star of the city in my mind, I was the one who needs to spot places that some series have been showing.

The first night I enter for a broadway show, I was very tired, nothing sleeping well since Washington, and we had a long trip to reach NYC, but I did not want to miss that opportunity, I went for the phantom of the opera, without any expectation, I had to get a ticket on the rear mezanine, it s almost if you are seating on the roof, but it was worth it.

The show started slowly, and after few minutes I asked my self what am I doing here, then the music started, the light, fire, effects as well, and I've got just captivated, I just loved it.

I've seen Figaro twice in Algeria, but the decor, the speed was not this quality. I was impressed and felt happy.

Next big experience, the Empire State Building , the view from there on the evening was really beautiful, all the buildings around with different colors, impressive.

My favorite was the Statue of Liberty, am a big fan of the series Fringe, every fan knows that under this liberty island, we can move from one world to another, from the material of the statue we can know on which world are we, when I arrived there, I felt as Olivia Dunham, and I stated checking is there is a way to go under hihih.

Unfortunately we could not getto the crowne, it needed tickets to be booked many months in advance. Let's say it's a good reason to come back.

I love New York , yeah Alicia keys was totally right, I love this city .

Pitch or not to pitch that's the question

Before to come to San Francisco I did not hear the word pitch and did not have any idea about it.

I attended one pitch session at Oakland hub, where some EL and professional came talking about their  projects, presenting the business plan and looking for the best way to convince investor to put money on their projects.

Brian, the trainer was quite young but impressive in his way of giving feedback. He was able to mention the missing points and provide the accurate advice for the different pitcher, all this has been done after a first session of theory learning abt pitching.

The day after we went to the pitch mixer, oh God, how to describe this, if the previous one was more cozy and friendly, that one we could feel it more professional, people came to share their pitching experience, and VCs were there to give advices for free, to every beginner. How can you describe your dream project in 10 min. Talking abt business plan, what have been done by others, and how long you need to finish it.

One lady from our team was just amazing, it might have been her first pitch but she did it like so naturally, and am sure gutsy will have a great future in SA even over the world. I was feeling inspired by her courage to just go for it, and proud of her.

This was one of those event you want to re-live many time, I had fun, I've been at the entrance welcoming people, letting them put heir name and contact, I've been taking pictures around and trying to be as helpful as possible.

At the end when the VCs went for decision time, everybody was introducing them self,I was waiting for my turn, then they just skipped me , I don't know how, I still don't realize, but I stood up and asked Kalima the host of the event, what about me?, everybody laughed but I had the chance to saymy name , introduce my self and say that my passions are technology, languages, life and ETHIOPIA. It did surprised everyone, but what the hell, this is who I am.

Djamila Selamawit Umutoni

So now am considering going for my pitch, it might be my project or any other action, I for sure need to prepare for it

Yes I Can.

Now I understand the meaning of being an emerging leader

Is it possible to grow in a such short time?

Here is the question I ask my self everyday since I came to SF.

This Techwomen experience has been an amazing trip so far, I've spent 20 days only, but I feel changed, I feel ready to face any issue, challenge or adventure.

After the first week for the orientation and so on, the work started.

Going to a company like salesforce.com, is a huge change in my life, I was impressed by the whole organization, and great teams working very hard around.

I took a big risk wanting to do a learning path and build a mobile application. I totally jumped out of my knowledge area, I've been feeling going for a free fall ride when I started on the first day, everything went fast, and I feslt nervous every time I had to talk about my project, but actually I started seeing the real possibilities to finish it.

The moment I understood, that I have the right to ask question and request some help, my life got way easier.

People were coming around, taking from their time to listen to me and try to find there best option to help me, in the same time I felt the responsibility to show my best, to work hard may be harder to be committed to this learning opportunity.

It is always rewarding to see the value of your work, with somebody else words, I am really thankful for this.

Let's work for future commitment, and adventure in this techy world.

San Francisco first professional experience

Thursday morning, everyone was very excited, to visit a great company as Oracle.

I tried to be as formal as possible, and got in the bus , the great adventure was going to start.

On the way I've seen the salesforce.com big buildings on San Mateo, and I felt impressed, I knew it was a big company but did not realized this big.

Anyway, we arrived to Oracle it was a shiny day, we found programs and breakfast ready for everyone, the meeting room was just amazing.

Heather Ramsey, gave the welcome speech, and officially welcomed us into the TechWomen program, explained how 78 ladies has been chosen over 1800 applicants. And in a minute everyone felt proud to be here.

Then we had an exercise and this was the most amazing moment. It was the icebreaker, everyone of us had to get a partner , ask them some personal question to learn about their life and experience.

I heard stories, I heard feelings, and I just loved it, in every techwomen around my table I felt inspired, I felt passion and a great confidence.

We continued with the logistics overview, we understood that on Monday, Algeria is going to be the first country to be presented, I felt like I was going to the Olympic Games and I will represent my country, it s an amazing feeling, yaaaaaaay

Then there was a man in the room, Eric is a safety specialist, he explained to us that some places are less safe then others, that the way we behave in the street is just te way people can see us so be confident and avoid eye contact with people you don't know.

Then, Barbara Williams came, she was full of confidence, her voice was loud , clear, and persuasive, she introduced the barb list, my favorite one was life begins outside of your comfort zone, am in SF because I wanted to take the challenge to try something new.

Next speaker, was Lynn witham, she introduced the cultural insights , she gave us some information about USA and life there, being a trainer, and looking for some opportunities to go for soft skills training, I enjoyed the way she presented, she was very calm and quiet but clear.

I for you're want to give a try for cross cultural training experience.

Then we had the world cafe facilitated, different groups going through different tables to share and discuss differents topics.

Discuss the country situation and its impact on you, discuss what do you want to bring in your country, and how do you feel in USA?, it was the perfect moment to share experiences with the ladies, to realize that we are all going through same situations, same feelings.

Finally, she arrived, Nandini ramani, a beautiful lady, with a great presence on stage, she told us about her life and how's he arrived at Oracle, how her grandmother, her role model influenced her and helped her to be who she is now.

I loved when she said, someone told me, you must speak up, since then I've never shut up. She used easy words, and made us believe that anyone of us can be in her shoes.

It was a great day, it was overwhelming feelings, it was an AWESOME experience.

I gained confidence, I gained new friends , and for sure a lof of memories.

Thanks TW2013

San Francisco Day 1

7am...the night did not leave totally and the sun is getting up very slowly, San Francisco is getting ready for a new day, and I'm getting ready for a morning walk.

Surprisingly, San Francisco is not a city with skyscrapers or fancy buildings, so when you roam around the city, you might feel disappointed a little.

We officially started our Techwomen experience this morning, with the hosting meeting, finally we got a phone number, we could activate our cards, and get an idea about the transportation system, it was cozy, and friendly discussion.

We've been devided to several groups, so we could run some errands and visit the city.

We've met an amazing lady from Iran, who took us to Union Square, and showed us the main places and streets where we might do some shoppings.

In San Francisco you can hear many languages, you can find people singing, or even sharing their music with an external speaker.

You will find long queues to get in the cable car, and people running to catch a bus or a tram.

San Francisco is also about happiness, tonight there was a live band in union square, singing mainly Spanish songs, giving the opportunity for a salsa dance, it was little cold around, the rhythm was sweet and soft, and the people were giving a great energy.

So even if you don't know how to dance, you will start moving, you will start to show some steps, and if you are lucky enough, somebody from Cuba May ask you for a dance, at that moment get ready to swing.

After a long day of meeting people, and walking around , I came back a 10pm, with the mind full of pictures, and heart full of emotions.

It was just day 1, expecting more for the coming days.

OTW to San Francisco

What if you wake up a morning, and you find an email saying you've been selected to go to San Francisco? How would you react ? What would you feel?

This is a real story, my story, after few months of preparation, after few days of packing optimization, it's time to get in the airplane, it's time to live this amazing experience.

I have met the Algerian Techwomen, for the first time all 5 together, we had our first official picture,and we felt the excitement of everyone of us.

I will be at salesforce.com, I've been impressed by the achievement of this company, my two mentors are from salesforce, let's say it's going to be a great experience.

Professionally I will work with learning path and mobile app, culturally I want to discover new countries, cultures and traditions, I want to visit the city and enjoy my time as much as I can.

First step, Algiers - Frankfurt, light food, buena fe music , and no sleep yet!!

Trying to document this trip as much as possible.

7 days to go!!

Here we are, one week left before the big departure, one week to enjoy the family time, one week to prepare for everything.
I believe that every Techwomen preparing for this adventure, will have two contradictory feelings, excitement and worries.
A trip to United States is a big event in a lifetime, discovering a country with this much different culture will be overwhelming in the beginning but exciting, in the same time, leaving everything around going out of our daily comfort zone, taking risks with new projects, with new goals this can bring some worries and stress.
But here it is, time to face all challenges, time to believe in our selves, time to show our EL side and reach our limits and goals.
7 days is a pretty short time, no need to overthink, get ready, and buckle up, the Silicon Valley is waiting for us.

How did you became a techwomen candidate?

I've been a part a the tech world for many years already, studied mathematics during high school, electronics in college and telecommunication as a career path.

I heard about techwomen program from my best friend, she had been selected for the first session, but because of a career change she could not continue the program. But she convinced me to apply this year, saying that the worst thing that can happen is not to be selected but in the same time I will experience an interview, and have the opportunity to sell my profile.

After applying, I've been very nervous, because for many weeks no answer, no news, until I received the email inviting me to the embassy for an interview. On that time I was out of the country, so I had to make a call conference interview. The duration was 6 minutes, 6 minutes to convince a committee or a group of ladies that I deserve this chance, and I'm an interesting person.

After the call, I could not remember any of my answers, but being overbooked, I just move on. And big surprise I'm selected, I was not expecting it.

And then I started thinking, am I a techwomen ? Am I a person that can bring something new in the women tech field?

I've always tried to be a role model to my students, my colleagues or members of my family.

After being selected, I started doing some advertisement for the program, I felt having a message to share, tech world is not only for men, tech world is the best path for a lady.

Most of the time, girls, ladies are surprised with this idea, but now it's an emerging one...so it's a good beginning .

I hope from this trip to get more confidence facing new challenges. Build a networking environment, and learn some new technical and business skills.

New adventure, new hope and a new beginning.

San Francisco here I come!!

Melkam Addis Amet

Five years ago, I've met customers in China, it's always a great experience, most of the time you have the opportunity to meet people with a lot of common point with your self, since at least they are in telecommunication field.
for the last 8 years I had some extraordinary life experience, some of these people became very close friends, we might be from different culture, religion or continent, but we have the same view of life.

so five years ago I've met a group of Ethiopian in China, it was my third time to be there so I felt comfortable, I've been surprise by this group, they were smiling, little shy but friendly, they came to invite us saying it's the new year.
being in September, and hearing new year I've got curious and surprise, they explained that Ethiopia calendar is 7 years late and the new year celebration is every 9/11.
so we celebrate 2001 again, I had to feel 7 years younger and be 21 again, what a pleasure for a girl.
so party time, we went to KTV room, we watched a documentary about Ethiopia History and you know what these people are the only one that can say we never been colonized by any country, and that's something to be proud of.
then the music started, those rhythm took my feet away, my shoulders could not stop moving, for somebody like me who loves and enjoy percussion and drums rhythms it was crazily amazing.

we had some dancing courses, we enjoyed cakes, we talked with these people, the same I was seeing very shy in the morning, they were smiling and happy now, they were themselves.
I felt happy I felt free to be myself as well.
Since that night, some of these persons became my close and best friends, 5 years later, we've been lucky enough to meet again in Addis for some of them, but mostly we kept in touch following each others life.

when I went to Addis, I felt happy, mostly people get confused by my reaction, Ethiopia is not just an African country, it's first a place where different religions live together without hard feelings, Ethiopia is the place where people bring the good traditional hospitality, people will invite you and make you the most important person in the world.
Ethiopia is about a real friendship feeling.

In my heart, I feel that when you meet an Ethiopian person, you can be sure it will be there for you, forever.

Thanks to God for this wonderful experience, thanks to every Ethiopian person that brought my smile anytime in my life.

I wish a Happy Ethiopian New Year to everyone, might this new year be full of surprises, happiness, development and a World Cup qualification hihihi!!