Unlocking Tech Careers: Key Takeaways from Our Event with Google’s Kelsey Robb

Our first industry-specific event was a success, and we're still buzzing from it!

On the 7th September 2024, When Life Gives You Lemons was graced with the amazing Kelsey Robb, EMEA Community Advisor at Google. Kelsey was able to give all of the girls some insights and hacks that will help them navigate the tech industry with confidence. The event showed how big the tech landscape is, how you can leverage your network as well as how to create your own opportunities.

The Tech Landscape

Kelsey kicked things off with an insightful overview of the current tech landscape and job market trends. A key takeaway? The rapid evolution of AI. She highlighted how skills in machine learning are highly sought after and noted it “provides a lens that contributes to global goals.” She highlighted the significance of location-based hiring, noting that tech giants like Google strategically base their headquarters in cities like Dublin to minimise costs and maximise input. This underscores the advantage of being open to relocation when job hunting.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. She gave a candid look at the current job market post-pandemic, explaining how some companies are redeploying workers after the layoffs, making the competition for roles stiffer. But Kelsey reminded everyone that networking is still one of the best ways to create those golden opportunities.

Kelsey organised surprise competitions throughout the workshop where attendees were able to win Google branded merch which can be seen on the right hand side of the photo above. 

Leveraging Your Network

Kelsey shifted the discussion to how the girls could strategically leverage their professional networks in the tech space. It was interesting to see that similar to Elinor who ran our last workshop, Kelsey also emphasised how LinkedIn is an essential tool for career navigation due to its unique ability to amplify authenticity and broaden connections, offering unparalleled access to industry professionals. She advised posting once a week to maintain visibility on the platform, particularly in a competitive, capitalist environment where consistent engagement can set candidates apart, saying, “you never know you might end up seeing your post!” By dedicating specific time to LinkedIn, it becomes easier to manage your workload while using the platform to forge valuable connections that can create new opportunities.

Attendees were able to draft mock LinkedIn messages and discuss them with Kelsey during the interactive part of the workshop. 

Creating The Opportunity

Finally, Kelsey wrapped up with advice on how the girls could proactively create opportunities within the tech industry. Referrals, she said, can give you an edge in the hiring process as well as attending industry events as they not only offer deeper insights into the sector but also invaluable networking opportunities! She recommended events like Bright Network, Silicon Roundabout (ideal for those seeking roles in both tech and non-tech sectors) and The Dots (for those interested in the creative side of tech) and many more as you can see in the picture below! Kelsey also encouraged the girls to leverage their LinkedIn to connect with speakers and firms prior to attending the events because pre-establishing relationships makes follow-ups so much easier and impactful. 

Kelsey shared a list of events, programs and groups the girls could join depending on what their interests are. 

Looking Ahead

We’re so grateful to Kelsey for sharing her time, knowledge, and practical tips with us. This event has not only inspired the girls to step confidently into the tech industry but also equipped them with the tools to create their own opportunities. As we continue to grow, we're excited about the future events we have planned and can’t wait to see how the community will continue turning life’s lemons into success stories.

Stay tuned for our next event—together, we’re building a community where first-generation immigrant girls are empowered to pursue their dreams!

Until next time, keep squeezing those lemons!

Jennifer, Brand Ambassador for WLGYL