Inés – Tech Is The Bridge

Inés, TechGirls 2022, Argentina

On our last day in Washington D.C., my Capstone Event speech started as follows: ‘‘From the moment I applied to TechGirls, I assumed the responsibility of representing the young dreamers in Argentina who aspire to become huge someday, while understanding that there are many with little opportunity to dream.’’

I have always thought that people in STEM converse in an incomprehensible frequency, but I’ve realized their curiosity stems from a fascination with challenges and the unknown. I’ve always questioned “why” and “how”, but never had a clear direction regarding my interests. When the pandemic hit, I felt limited and saw teenagers abroad learning coding, blockchain, or starting businesses. While I had always participated in many extracurriculars, I felt as if I were running behind—until I dove into the sea of tech, which wasn’t promoted in my country. Very soon, I figured out that tech was going to be a nonnegotiable part of my life. Eventually, I applied to TechGirls with a clear vision in mind: I wanted to cross Argentina’s limits to nourish myself and accomplish the unaccomplished. I didn’t know what that was, though. Months passed, and I was chosen as a part of the first cohort to represent Argentina in the TechGirls program. The two weeks at Virginia Tech and the week in DC were a turning point in my life, not because they provided me with answers, but because they shifted my perception of what really drove me and the other 135 girls every day. We were so like-minded, but thought in different ways. The lessons at VT, the mentorships, the exposure to the industry and professionals, and the cultural exchange started building a common scaffolding among all of the girls.

Then it dawned on me; all along, it was about the people I surround myself with, since potential is spreadable when talent conjoins with empathy and action. Since I have returned from TechGirls, I am aware of the weight of my voice and work to be a servant leader. At the same time, I have cultivated a set of values that were impacted by the people I met, including girls who are still my friends, and whom I remain connected with via working on the TechGirls Alumni Advisory Council. Not only are they one of the best support networks in the world, but, due to them, I am now aware of more realities and perspectives, and can appreciate cross-cultural exchange and different perspectives.

A lot has changed now, except for the fact that each day I look forward to knowing and doing more. Nowadays, I have a much clearer vision of myself as I comprehend that interdisciplinarity is an inextricable part of myself. I believe that tech has the power to bring the best out of any career path, and that it is a bridge between people and their dreams. As a TechGirl, I have participated in science contests, Model United Nations, entrepreneurship programs, developed projects, raised awareness in my community and conveyed my vision of the world to others by being a regular teenage girl. I enjoy spotting hidden potential and I am passionate about the interdisciplinarity between tech, computer science, innovation, and business. In the future, I hope to attend US and Argentine universities to study Industrial Engineering.

Wherever my decisions might lead me to, dealing with imperfection when everything is hanging by a thread will be a mixture of strength and luck, but there is a high likelihood that the outcome will bloom into something unmatched. The energy I put into seeking and leaping at opportunities will always be the same amount that I put into providing them. I want to get to know people and see through their eyes, in order to be the means of connection between them and their goals. In the end, a quote by Billie Jean King comes to mind, “Pressure is a privilege”, which reminds us that nothing is guaranteed. Therefore, always open yourself to the world, but never forget where you stand.