We are currently releasing a series of articles containing interviews with Pakistani women who are employed in the technology industry, either locally or globally. Our aim is to showcase their accomplishments and contributions to both the industry and their communities.
These remarkable women are tackling actual problems, defying stereotypes, and making significant advancements in the tech field. The interview series highlights the fact that despite Pakistan having one of the lowest rates of female participation in the job market, there is still a wealth of talented women who are utilizing technology to achieve remarkable outcomes.
Today, we are featuring Danella Patrick. Read on to learn more about her work and get inspired.
1. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, your education, and your work.
My name is Danella Patrick, and I am a Computer Science graduate from Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU). Currently, I am working as a full-time SQA Analyst at Genetech Solutions. Previously, I worked as a Google Developer Lead, and now I am an official Co-organizer of WomenTechmaker Kolachi and GDG Kolachi. I come from a middle-class family where my father is a journalist, and my mother is a teacher. Apart from my professional background, I am a community activist and work for various communities to empower the tech industry.
For the past two years, I have been serving different communities, particularly women. During my tenure as the first female lead at my university, I made sure that the number of girls in my team was equal. I am proud of my team and consider them special. My GDSC journey was a roller coaster ride, and I organized various events, including Amazon, Career Building, Bootcamp of Flutter, Firebase, Web Development, and Figma. I even got featured in newspapers such as Bol News, Tribune News, The News, and Business Recorder for gathering the most audience for HackFest 21.
In addition to GDSC, I was also an active member of various events such as Hackfest 21, Blaze 2022 WTM, Google I/O Extended Karachi, and Devfest 22. I organized my first event for WTM Kolachi for International Women’s Day with Ms. Shamim Rajani and Faiza Yousuf, hosted and organized the “Dare To Be” meetup, and am currently working on my new Event Blaze 2.0 alongside WTM Ambassador Samima Khan.
Regarding my technical skills, I am a Data Science enthusiast and have written a research paper about the Data Analytics tool see here. I have a strong command of PHP and Python and developed the Student Degree Evaluation System for my final year project, based on PHP, MySql, and Python. I enjoy working for communities as it helps me grow my network, learn how technology influences our lives, and meet new people with similar minds and visions, which gives me positive energy to do great things for them.
2. What are your future plans/aspirations? How will it impact the community/society/your team/your project?
If I had to summarize my future plans in one word, it would be “growth.” My vision is to continue to grow both professionally and personally, gain new skills, and broaden my knowledge and experience. I am passionate about working towards the empowerment of women’s education in Pakistan, as well as working to establish shelter homes for stray animals.
As an opportunist, I am always eager to explore new opportunities and challenge myself. I find great satisfaction in organizing and managing events, as it allows me to help others and contribute to a greater cause. I have a passion for leadership and accountability has propelled me to lead several student clubs and projects throughout my academic career.
Despite struggling academically and dealing with a severe illness, I was able to excel in co-curricular activities such as acting, dancing, sports, and leading student clubs. While I once dreamed of becoming a doctor, my fascination with computers led me to pursue a career in computer science.
As an outspoken and honest individual, I believe that honesty and accountability are essential for driving positive change in Pakistan. I firmly believe that we should strive to do everything wholeheartedly and not just for external recognition, but for our own personal satisfaction.
Looking ahead, I am excited to continue growing and learning as I work towards establishing my NGO and making a positive impact on society.
3. Please brag about your career accomplishments. What are the things you are proud of?
Although I am just starting my career, I am proud of the personal growth and values that I have developed. Growing up, I struggled with Urdu and English language in school, and my parents did not have high expectations for me. However, I am grateful for their support and encouragement to pursue my own dreams. I believe that self-awareness and self-improvement are the keys to making a positive impact on others.
Throughout my school and college years, I was always drawn to organizations and clubs focused on human welfare and empowerment. Despite my initial struggles, I was eventually chosen as the head girl of my school’s yellow house, which was a happy and unexpected achievement for me. Similarly, in college, I was initially known for my mischievousness but ended up becoming a discipline Prefect and the only girl in my department to clear the HSC exams.
In university, I aimed to join student clubs, but I was not impressed with their management, so I applied for the Google Developer Student Clubs (GDSC). I was proud to be selected as the first female lead for my university’s GDSC, where I helped create a gender-balanced team and secured recognition from the university’s Student Affairs system. Despite my involvement in co-curricular activities, I maintained the second-highest GPA in my batch and the highest GPA among the female students. Additionally, my research paper on Data Analytics Products was selected for publication in a renowned club called Inderscience Journal, and my Final Year Project was integrated into my university’s LMS.
4. What has been your best education/career decision, and why?
To be candid, I am quite opportunistic and do not let any opportunities slip away. Additionally, I tend to be sentimental when it comes to making both personal and professional choices. However, by the grace of Jesus, I have consistently ended up making the right decisions. Examples include applying for GDSC, working for communities, pursuing my CS education, and currently enjoying my job as a QA engineer, even though it was not a role I ever envisioned myself in. Moreover, I strongly believe that God plans everything. Once you decide and commit to something, give it your all, and strive to achieve your best.
5. What’re the best lessons you’ve learned?
I have learned many valuable lessons throughout my life, but the most significant ones include choosing friends wisely, believing in myself, not seeking validation from others, and being cautious about sharing my dreams and aspirations. I have come to realize that the people we surround ourselves with can influence our lives profoundly, and it is essential to have supportive and positive influences around us. Furthermore, I have learned the importance of self-confidence and not allowing others to define my worth or success. I have also come to understand that listening to others is critical, as people tend to talk more than they listen.
6. Which woman inspires you and why?
Meeting women from different walks of life has been a great source of inspiration for me. Whether it’s my friends, relatives, colleagues, or community members, I believe that every woman possesses a special power to handle things with both the mind and heart. The struggles of my mother and grandmother in raising a family have taught me the value of hard work and determination. My grandmother’s dedication to supporting her family, having only an eighth-grade education, giving tuition, and doing mirror work, is truly inspiring. Additionally, witnessing my colleagues come to the office every day, work tirelessly, and then go back home to take care of their families is commendable. My career-oriented friends, who strive to achieve their goals and support their families, are also a source of motivation for me. The unwavering dedication and love that women show in changing lives and supporting those around them are truly inspiring.
7. Do you think Pakistan has changed as a society in terms of accepting career-oriented women? What needs to change to help more women come forward?
Over the years, Pakistan has made significant progress in terms of accepting career-oriented women. Women are now more visible in various professions, including politics, medicine, education, media, and business. However, there is still a long way to go in terms of gender equality in the workplace and society as a whole.
One of the primary challenges that women face is the deeply ingrained cultural norms and stereotypes that view women primarily as caretakers of the home and family. These attitudes make it difficult for women to pursue their careers and achieve their full potential.
To help more women come forward, there needs to be a fundamental shift in cultural norms, societal attitudes, and policies. The government can play a vital role in providing equal opportunities for women, such as access to education, training, and employment. Additionally, private companies can offer flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and equal pay to support working mothers. Society as a whole can also help by promoting gender equality, challenging stereotypes, and celebrating the achievements of women. Ultimately, a collaborative effort is required to overcome the barriers that prevent women from pursuing their careers and realizing their full potential.
8. What will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you?
The generation of women that follows us will undoubtedly face various challenges as they navigate their personal and professional lives. One of the most significant challenges they may face is the continued struggle for gender equality in various aspects of life, including education, employment, and social and cultural norms.
Despite progress in recent years, women still face barriers to equal opportunities and pay in the workplace, and many struggle to balance work and family responsibilities. Women also continue to face violence, harassment, and discrimination in many parts of the world.
The rapid pace of technological change may also pose challenges for the next generation of women. As automation and artificial intelligence increasingly replace jobs, women may face job displacement and new challenges in adapting to changing skill requirements.
9. What would it be if you could change one thing about the tech industry/business?
If given the opportunity to change one thing about the tech industry or business, I would break away from the common norms and strategies. Specifically, I would establish internal communities to foster business and personal growth because communication and interaction with others are crucial to learning. I would also prioritize developing employees’ soft skills and allow for job switches to encourage new opportunities.
In my opinion, trust-building and team-building activities should be a frequent occurrence in the workplace. These activities can promote a sense of community and enhance relationships within the team, leading to a more positive and productive work environment.
10. How can WomenInTechPK help you and other women?
In my opinion, WomenInTech PK should focus on introducing learning platforms for people residing in slum areas. This could be achieved by building tech institutions near these areas and educating people on the correct use and importance of technology. Such an initiative can help improve the living standards of the people residing in these areas.
Furthermore, I strongly believe that introducing community service work to the government and creating a technology community as a governing body can bring about positive changes in Pakistan. This would require collaboration and efforts from all stakeholders to create a better future for the country.
You can follow Danella Patrick using her profile(s) below, and please do not hesitate to hire her for your next project.
