Josefine Schaefer
Developer Relations Engineer
Tuesday, 1 February 2022
Could you please introduce yourself?
Hi, my name is Josefine. I currently work as a Developer Relations Engineer at Storyblok. I'm passionate about frontend development, web accessibility and coding communities.
Whats your background?
Initially, I come from a Communications background - in my bachelor, I studied Spanish, English and Media Studies; in my Master Communication and Information Technologies. After graduation, I worked in Online Marketing, Public Relations and Social Media Management for 3 years.
Whats your current role?
Currently, I work as a Developer Relations Engineer at Storyblok. I just recently joined in January of 2022.
Why have you decided to learn to code?
I decided to join a web development boot camp after I got laid off from a job at a start-up, which had gone bankrupt. It was a decision on a whim. Honestly, I hadn't been interested in programming before; I never thought this could be something I would be good enough at to earn money with it. But I wanted a job with security, one that made me valuable to employers and which would make sure I wasn't likely to lose my job again just like that.
Do you think its important to learn to code?
Given how much most of us interact with technology on a daily basis, I think it's healthy to be curious. We should enable everyone interested in tech to dive right in. That being said, from my point of view, it's also completely fine not to be interested in coding - after all, we also drive cars without understanding 100% how they work, right? ;)
Do you feel the tech industry is male dominated? How can we encourage more women into the industry?
Yes, I do. I feel like it would really help to have more visible role models - at all levels of the career ladder. Representation matters so much! I also think we should start paving the way as early as possible: teach web development in schools, offer more afternoon programmes; creating an environment where girls can freely explore their talents.
Did you struggle being a woman in the tech industry yourself?
I have been very privileged and wouldn't say I have struggled half as much as others. That being said, I noticed a lot of preconceptions about boot camp graduates, and being a woman didn't necessarily help with that. The gender pay gap has also been an issue for me in the past: at previous workplaces, there was a quite noticeable difference in payment, and change was only coming very slowly.
Whats the most rewarding and most challenging parts of your tech career so far?
One of the most challenging parts for me, I would say, is dealing with imposter syndrome. Especially in the tech industry, where there is something new to learn every day. I need to remind myself that it's perfectly fine not to know everything every day.
One of the most rewarding things is honestly the support among women in this industry. For every snarky comment I got from a male colleague, five women had my back. That kind of sisterhood will not go away as we grow in numbers, I am sure of it - and I want to be a part of that movement.