Today we celebrate #InternationalWomensDay2023 by recognizing our CEO, Shannon Jacobson Lee's impressive career trajectory.

My continuous pursuit of learning and growing are two key characteristics that drove my progression at Infinity Software. I joined the company in 2016 as a Setup Coordinator. At the time, I thought the role was a temporary stop on my road to law school. My background was in finance and I had experience creating standard operating procedures, repeatable processes, and aligning with compliance guidelines. During that period, my expertise filled a gap at Infinity; the company was scaling quickly and needed the structure and processes I was able to implement.?

When I joined, Infinity’s leader, Chris Leyva, was focused on investing in the future of the company, and in their people. He had an incredible ability to recognize the potential in talent and create opportunities for career growth. Six months into starting at Infinity, Chris asked me to step into a Project Manager role to manage the development and release of a new product. I don’t believe in doing things at half-measure, so I pursued my CAPM certification at an accelerated pace. I constantly asked questions, and gathered information, growing my understanding of the technology and our customers' needs. From there, I moved into working as a Business Analyst and Product Manager, which solidified my passion for bringing practical technology to solve complex problems for people.?

What I learned through that process and what I strongly recommend to women who are looking to accelerate their career is to ask questions. Ask as many as you can think of all the time, even if they sound dumb to you. Because they aren’t.?

The simplest inquiry can lead to deeper understanding and clarity. Software is for solving problems. You can’t fix an issue if you don’t know what the customer is trying to do and what they actually need it to do. It’s in the discourse where we can learn and solve. I don’t write code but I can ask smart questions and that has been the differentiator for me: the confidence to ask questions and to build and act on that knowledge.?

My advice for women pursuing advanced career growth in technology or any arena:

1. Go for growth. It’s one of our values at Infinity and Aquila and it stands out to me as critical for success. You need to ensure you have balance across your personal and professional goals. If you pursue what you are passionate about, life and work will complement each other. And always consider how your growth will help the company grow.
2. Be strategic. Moving up the ranks can be difficult for women, particularly in Fintech. Don’t lose sight of the endgame for money or a title. Take the opportunity in-house when it’s offered to you. It might not be the one you want, but on some level, it will give you what you need: exposure, skills, knowledge, and network connections.?
3. Be discerning. Find an organization with leaders who are invested in their people. You want to work somewhere that supports women and gives them equitable access to learning and leading. I had a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations when I joined Infinity. During my tenure here, I’ve more than doubled my professional certifications and completed a Master of Public Administration.?
4. Be present, be known. My way was asking questions and learning everything? I could. It can feel intimidating but you have a right to a voice and a right to gain knowledge. Find the people who want to share what they know.?
5. Build a network. Make sure everyone knows your name, what you are capable of and what your goals are. When a new opportunity comes up, put your name forward and ask your connections to recommend you.?
6. Find a mentor. I highly recommend women connect with someone within their organization with influence. You need a mentor who can act as your advocate and champion you when you're not in the room. It may not be someone in technology or at the C-level, but someone respected and with their own network of decision-makers.
7. Be prepared. Your moment to shine may not happen when you want it to, but don’t give up. Be ready for anything. Have those questions, ideas, and accomplishments ready to show your progress, your value, and your measurable accomplishments.?

When I’m asked what type of background or education someone needs to grow a career in technology, my response is - whatever you are passionate about that encourages your curiosity and teaches you how to find or create the solutions. At Infinity and Aquila, we embrace equity. We are open to a range of skills and experiences and we conscientiously work towards eliminating bias in our hiring and promotion practices.?

If you are a woman looking to advance your career in tech, embrace every opportunity to learn, be prepared for starts, stops and pivots and carve out your own path - there’s always more than one way to get where you want to go.

The opportunities within Aquila are endless. We foster an equitable environment by welcoming innovative people to join us, regardless of their formal education or number of years of experience. If you have a growth mindset, perseverance, collaboration, confidence, and creativity, consider applying today or follow us for future opportunities. Careers — Aquila (aquilasw.com)