Meet Maria Saavedra
Maria is a software engineer based in Kansas City, Missouri. She first began her career in the software industry after high school, at the age of sixteen. In her spare time, she is typically creating art or reading about computer science and entrepreneurship.
Maria is extremely talented not only as an artist, but also as a software engineer/web developer!
When I think of Maria, I think of the beautiful merge between art and technology.
If you are interested in becoming a web developer you should pay a visit to Maria's page - she has some really great content!
An Interview with Maria Saavedra
I LOVE YOUR ART! Can you tell us a little more about this side of you? What made you want to start drawing/painting?
Thank you! I’ve always found relief in artistic expression. I think every kid loves to draw and paint, I just never stopped.
Your art is very beautiful and unique! Where do you find inspiration?
I’m inspired by the human form. I like to capture people by using creative lighting to highlight their unique features and their body’s expression.
Give us a little background on your career. Did you always know you wanted to be a software engineer?
No, I didn’t. I’m not sold that this what I’ll be doing for the rest of my life. My main passions in life include art and technology so I’ll always stay in that realm regardless of my exact title.
In your opinion, what is the most common misconception people have about the tech industry today?
I think the biggest misconception is that those in the industry are anti-social and see the world strictly in binary.
What is it like working as a software engineer?
It’s fun and challenging. I’m lucky to work at a company that expects engineers to be creative and have a say in the direction we take our data platform.
How do you keep your tech skills up-to-date?
I have a subscription to Pluralsight that I try to make a point to use, though I would say most of the time I use Youtube or read articles online. Whenever there’s a new technology stack I’m curious about I’ll learn by developing a small personal project.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
It depends, we've recently been in a discovery stage at work and we are testing out different hypotheses as to what new features we should focus on. You can usually find me with my headphones in coding away.
What latest Tech trends have gotten your attention? Why?
I’m very curious about the future of wearable technology. I think wearables may lead to a more seamless integration between humanity and technology. Maybe in the future, we’ll laugh at how obstructive and clunky our cell phones and laptops were.
What are some challenges you faced specifically as a woman in this industry? What biases or challenges have you had to overcome? Can you say you have successfully overcome them?
For better or worse, I’m a rather boisterous person and I’ve had little issue feeling heard at any workplace. I’m also lucky enough to consistently work with people who respect my skills and experience. I think a weak spot for many women in technology is being too shy or non-vocal.
What message would you like to give to all aspiring females in the tech industry?
It was women who sent man to the moon. You can lead an astonishing life and be a contributor to the world of science and technology, you just have to believe it.
- Maria Saavedra
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