As many of you already know, I started my career as the only woman software developer on a small team of guys. It was not a great experience for me as a woman in tech. I was excluded, ignored and diminished. This was not an easy time. I woke up dragging myself to work. I would wait to eat lunch until 2:00 or even later. I saw the late lunch as both a reward for having made it that far in the day and hope because I was almost at the end of my day. UHHH…not healthy by the way. When I was laid off, I could not wait to get out that door.

It was during this time that I made a decision. I was going to be differently ambitious though I did not call it that at that time. I just knew I wasn’t excited by the path I saw in front of me.

• I was not going to be who I wasn’t just because it might help my career.

• I was not going to keep quiet if I thought something could be done better.

• I was not going to spend a majority of day feeling like I had to armor up.

• I was not going to not have fun!

And I was going to create a career I was proud of and that felt good to me.

I believed that I could have fun, be creative and be successful without giving in or giving up on myself and my joy. I was young but the inner rebel in me had been stirred up.

I was going to climb my own ladder.

I have built a remarkable career in recruiting and now in coaching. I am successful on the outside but even more successful on the inside. I still make mistakes. I am not perfect. I have to be careful not to get caught up in the noise of the traditional ambition culture that wants me to conform, be quiet and wait my turn. The messaging is everywhere.

As if I should trust that others know better than me what is best for me and my career … bullucks!

The messaging to fit in is everywhere. But I kept following my inner voice and asking myself what felt the most like fun in the moment and did that.

I found my path to doing work that I enjoyed, was lucrative and had a positive impact … and you can too!

What Does “Differently Ambitious” Really Mean?

In my mind, being differently ambitious is about rejecting the one-size-fits-all career blueprint. It’s for the women who aren’t willing to trade their integrity or well-being for a promotion, who see the game being played but choose to play by their own rules whenever possible.

You may have defined success as making a certain amount of money or having a certain title but, at some point, things changed. Maybe it was when:

• You came down with a long-lasting illness that had no apparent cause.

• You found yourself saying, “I’m just tired.” 15 times a day.

• You realized that the only quality time you spent with your kids/partner was in the car going from one place or another.

• You woke up one morning and had the thought, “This is what the view looks like from here. Not for me. Not interested”.

This is when you get to claim a new title: a woman who is differently ambitious.

Now is the time when you begin (if you have not already started) to redefine success and forge paths that feel true to who you are, not who the world expects you to be.

When you claim your title of being differently ambitious you are joining a bigger movement. You are not only creating a career that works for you but you are changing work culture so it can work for everyone. You are breaking the ceiling and smashing the floor.

I am not saying it will be all puppy dogs and rainbows. You may still be overlooked, underestimated, or feel like you must play by outdated rules. Don’t let this slow you down. Start small. Start somewhere. Take it from me, it will be worth it!

Ready to join the Differently Ambitious Woman in Tech movement?

If you’re tired of playing by someone else’s rules and want to redefine success on your terms, let’s connect. I’d love for you to be part of this journey. Join Career Alchemy Academy to start leading with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.