Interview with Rachel Mesler

By Simon Cook

On Thursday 15 October 2020 Rachel Mesler will be presenting at the FrontendADL : October (Virtual) Lightning Talks - proudly hosted by the team at FrontendADL Dan Harris, Shane Smith and Mat Pigram.

In this interview, Rachel from Adelaide's Head Full of Heart introduces her talk and shares some insights into her career to date.

I'd also encourage you to check out her upcoming (virtual) Women in Tech Quiz night on 24 September. https://women-in-tech_quiz-night.eventbrite.com.au

Can you tell the FrontendADL community a bit about yourself?

In a professional context, I am a User Experience Designer with a passion for visual communication. I am also passionate about women in technology and am co-organiser of the South Australian chapter of Women in Tech.

As for personal, the first question most people ask me is ‘where am I from’ because they hear my American accent. Though it is a simple question, it has a complicated answer. Essentially, I would answer I was born in America, I have a Norwegian family, and I moved to Australia when I was young.

What is the title of your talk?

Supporting Women in Tech: What Can I Do?

What is it about?

Day-to-day, short-term and long-term strategies everyone can implement to help make a difference for women in technology.

Who do you recommend logs onto this talk?

Anyone who is a supporter of women in technology, but particularly those who feel that they want to see change in this space and help enact this change.

How would your family describe what you do for work?

I think my colleague’s father summarised it best for most people including my family who ask what I do: “So you’re the person who paints the computer box?”.

What impact has COVID19 had on your working life?

So far it has made me excited to jump out of bed and wear my traditional work from home attire, pyjamas.

What changes that have come from COVID do you intend on 'holding onto' after we return to normal?

Definitely working from home a couple days a week.

If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing to improve the life of software developers, what would it be?

Communication – there’s always an avoidable mistake if communication was improved between developers, the team, stakeholders and the company.

Can you describe the Adelaide tech scene in 5 words or less?

Barrel of knowledge and laughs.

What is one question I should have asked to make this an even more interesting interview?

What is one goal you would like to accomplish during your lifetime?

And how would you answer that question?

To work as a User Experience Designer in Japan. 

Thank you Rachel, I really appreciate your time.

Sign up for this free event - hosted virtually on Thursday 15 October 2020 - now at bit.ly/frontendADL

This event is proudly sponsored by the team at Encode Talent