Progress takes Women in Tech: Laura's Experience as a Software Engineer at Dell Technologies Brazil

Laura M. | Principal Software Engineer | Brazil

Originally Published: October 11th, 2023

What Excites You Most About Your Job? 

What I find most exciting about my job is the opportunity to create new things and understand the impact of my work. Over the years, I've been deeply involved in building Dell Technologies' design system* from scratch, and I've witnessed how it's helping other teams work faster and more efficiently. My team plays a vital part in creating a unified design language for all Dell Technologies products. When users interact with Dell, they experience a consistent design, and it is exciting to be part of the team that makes it possible.

*Dell Design System is a unified design language to support Dell's digital universe. Ensuring design is accessible, inclusive, and useful. 

How do you feel about working in a global team?  Working on a global team comes with its challenges, but it feels great at the same time. In my team, we have different cultures from different places, and we can communicate and create bonds very well. We found ways to connect despite geographical distances. Virtual meetings, one-on-ones, and even virtual happy hours help bridge the gap, fostering strong bonds among our team members even if we've never met in-person. Also, going to meetings and talking to one another about non-work subjects helps to connect.

How do you feel about being a Women in Tech? Can you describe some of the resources Dell has? 

Being a woman in the tech industry can be challenging, but I believe Dell is a great place for Women in Tech to be. The company supports women in technology through various initiatives, like development programs, an Employee Resource Group focused on women (Women in Action), mentoring, online learning platforms, networking opportunities, and different programs that help women advance in their careers. As a personal example, I´m actively involved in the Women in Action Employee Resource Group, use online learning platforms, and participate in a career development program for aspiring women leaders. It feels great to be part of this program, not only for the opportunity to network with women from different areas and parts of Brazil, but also because my leader had to approve - it felt very special knowing my leader believes in my potential to become a women leader in IT in the future.

Have you participated in any initiative apart from your daily job that you felt you could make an impact?  I participated in a volunteer initiative focused on web accessibility. I'm really into accessibility on the web. I think it's super important, and Dell does have a complete accessibility team - they are fantastic, by the way!

The volunteer team had designers and developers from various countries, including the United States, India, and Brazil, collaborating to create accessible websites for organizations in Texas. I worked with international team members and contributed to building a WordPress website for a bookstore. The project was not only about coding; it was about ensuring that the website was inclusive to all users, including those with disabilities. Accessibility, in this context, is crucial for user experience. It means designing websites in a way that considers various disabilities, such as color blindness or temporary injuries that might prevent the use of a mouse. Navigation should be possible through keyboards and other assistive devices. Making websites accessible ensures a positive experience for a significant portion of users who might not be able to navigate if the website was not accessible.

Laura's journey at Dell showcases the opportunities for growth and impact that Women in Tech can achieve. Her dedication to innovation, commitment to accessibility, and involvement in ERGs demonstrates how women are shaping the future of technology at Dell.

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