We celebrate the International Women's day on the 8th March (International women's rights day, in few countries) but it's also important to remind that women are equal of men and it's essential to protect and respect their rights every days of the year but nowadays, women make up just 24% of the tech workforce, thus more and more women are encouraged to pursue careers in the tech industry. Initiatives such as Girls who Code and conferences such as European Women in Technology support this movement passionately.
And at Joomla, the trend is not much different. Because there is no fatality, we must do things in others ways and be more inclusive. In our community, some women are really amazing and I've decided to introduce you some of them. These women are so inspiring and so motivating. Really. Read their stories, their advices, their thoughts and you'll be convinced.
Because we need really each others, I do hope that these portraits will inspire others women to embrace a career in tech sector and/or to join the Joomla Community.
Women's portrait at Joomla: Silvia Dell'Apa
Silvia Dell'Apa
What’s your name and your role at Joomla?
My name is Silvia Dell'Apa, and I am the Content Team Leader of Joomla Italia, although to be honest, in this period my work has taken up a lot of my time and I have not been able to dedicate much time directly to the Joomla project. But the Italian Team is well structured, so they didn't miss me :)
What excites you about your daily work?
I get excited about novelty, comparison and the constant evolution of technology, as well as the statistical data that helps me 'read' user behaviour.
And of course, I'm thrilled to be able to compare myself with colleagues, even from other web agencies, without problems and without being overwhelmed, because we know that this comparison helps us to grow.
What did you study?
I studied Communication Science and Technology - University of Ferrara (Italy)
When did you start to think about pursuing a career in tech?
When I was a child, I wanted to be an interpreter, but then I got deeper into computers and from there, I studied and here I am. So I can say that it's a love I've always had :) and it is, fortunately, constantly growing. Women's portrait at Joomla
What challenges are you facing as a woman working in tech?
To tell the truth, perhaps because of my 'young' age, I have not experienced this difference, or difficulties in working in the tech world. I have a lot of female colleagues, who also hold roles of a certain importance, so I don't feel this 'difference' so much, but it is certainly much more present in other fields, compared to ours. At least, this is my experience and my perception.
What would your advice to women considering pursuing a career in tech be?
If tech is your passion, pursue it, like all passions, don't give up, it can often be difficult to tackle some things, because you may not 'know' them yet, which is why in this sector you have to study all the time, because the technological world is always evolving. However, the advice I would give most is: unhook yourself from your convictions, face things with serenity and tenacity, and never give up in the face of difficulty, because these difficulties help us to grow and always improve.
Are there any specific Book/Blogs/Apps you enjoy & recommend ?
This is a good question :)
I will try to recommend something, which is in line with the role I play in the company, and above all which is in my interest to continue to deepen and learn.
I should warn you first, however, that I read in my mother tongue, which is Italian, and I'm not sure if these books are also already translated into English.
- Marketing 4.0 Philip Kotler (From traditional to digital) published by Hoepli
- Retargeting, digital marketing strategies for e-commerce by Gabriele Taviani published by Hoepli
- Neuromarketing and cognitive sciences to sell more on the web by Andrea Saletti. Women's portrait at Joomla
And then many other in-depth books on SEO and Content, Social Media Marketing and so on.
I am not a developer, so I have no books to recommend vertically on the subject.
Who or what inspires you?
I was inspired first and foremost by my family. I was born into a family where technology was already at home, so I was introduced to computers at an early age and then later to mobile phones, tablets and so on.
The world of the web has always fascinated me, but I have to admit that my husband, who was already in the field long before me, inspired me and helped me to take this path.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I like travelling a lot, reading, cooking, eating and walking. And sometimes I also do a bit of crochet to relax in front of the TV.
And of course, I love cuddling my cats.Women's portrait at Joomla
3 tips you would give your younger self?
Mmm so, considering that I think I still belong to the young category :) ....
The first piece of advice is to never stop at the first hurdle.
The second is to be curious.
The third is never say I can't do it without first trying.
Others women's portrait at Joomla
We celebrate the International Women's day on the 8th March (International women's rights day, in few countries) but it's also important to remind that women are equal of men and it's essential to protect and respect their rights every days of the year but nowadays, women make up just 24% of the tech workforce, thus more and more women are encouraged to pursue careers in the tech industry. Initiatives such as Girls who Code and conferences such as European Women in Technology support this movement passionately.
And at Joomla, the trend is not much different. Because there is no fatality, we must do things in others ways and be more inclusive. In our community, some women are really amazing and I've decided to introduce you some of them. These women are so inspiring and so motivating. Really. Read their stories, their advices, their thoughts and you'll be convinced.
Because we need really each others, I do hope that these portraits will inspire others women to embrace a career in tech sector and/or to join the Joomla Community.
Women's portrait at Joomla: Silvia Dell'Apa
Silvia Dell'Apa
What’s your name and your role at Joomla?
My name is Silvia Dell'Apa, and I am the Content Team Leader of Joomla Italia, although to be honest, in this period my work has taken up a lot of my time and I have not been able to dedicate much time directly to the Joomla project. But the Italian Team is well structured, so they didn't miss me :)
What excites you about your daily work?
I get excited about novelty, comparison and the constant evolution of technology, as well as the statistical data that helps me 'read' user behaviour.
And of course, I'm thrilled to be able to compare myself with colleagues, even from other web agencies, without problems and without being overwhelmed, because we know that this comparison helps us to grow.
What did you study?
I studied Communication Science and Technology - University of Ferrara (Italy)
When did you start to think about pursuing a career in tech?
When I was a child, I wanted to be an interpreter, but then I got deeper into computers and from there, I studied and here I am. So I can say that it's a love I've always had :) and it is, fortunately, constantly growing. Women's portrait at Joomla
What challenges are you facing as a woman working in tech?
To tell the truth, perhaps because of my 'young' age, I have not experienced this difference, or difficulties in working in the tech world. I have a lot of female colleagues, who also hold roles of a certain importance, so I don't feel this 'difference' so much, but it is certainly much more present in other fields, compared to ours. At least, this is my experience and my perception.
What would your advice to women considering pursuing a career in tech be?
If tech is your passion, pursue it, like all passions, don't give up, it can often be difficult to tackle some things, because you may not 'know' them yet, which is why in this sector you have to study all the time, because the technological world is always evolving. However, the advice I would give most is: unhook yourself from your convictions, face things with serenity and tenacity, and never give up in the face of difficulty, because these difficulties help us to grow and always improve.
Are there any specific Book/Blogs/Apps you enjoy & recommend ?
This is a good question :)
I will try to recommend something, which is in line with the role I play in the company, and above all which is in my interest to continue to deepen and learn.
I should warn you first, however, that I read in my mother tongue, which is Italian, and I'm not sure if these books are also already translated into English.
- Marketing 4.0 Philip Kotler (From traditional to digital) published by Hoepli
- Retargeting, digital marketing strategies for e-commerce by Gabriele Taviani published by Hoepli
- Neuromarketing and cognitive sciences to sell more on the web by Andrea Saletti. Women's portrait at Joomla
And then many other in-depth books on SEO and Content, Social Media Marketing and so on.
I am not a developer, so I have no books to recommend vertically on the subject.
Who or what inspires you?
I was inspired first and foremost by my family. I was born into a family where technology was already at home, so I was introduced to computers at an early age and then later to mobile phones, tablets and so on.
The world of the web has always fascinated me, but I have to admit that my husband, who was already in the field long before me, inspired me and helped me to take this path.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I like travelling a lot, reading, cooking, eating and walking. And sometimes I also do a bit of crochet to relax in front of the TV.
And of course, I love cuddling my cats.Women's portrait at Joomla
3 tips you would give your younger self?
Mmm so, considering that I think I still belong to the young category :) ....
The first piece of advice is to never stop at the first hurdle.
The second is to be curious.
The third is never say I can't do it without first trying.
Others women's portrait at Joomla
