Tech By Superwomen profile series – Nadia Aly

Nadia’s advice to the #TXSW community? Making change happen is hard to do when you are still early in your career – persist. 

The 140 (give or take a few) on Nadia:

Nadia Aly has proven her Social Media expertise at two Fortune 500’s.  She now consults on social media while following her dreams and enabling others to realize theirs. Nadia is the founder and CEO of ScubaDiverLife.com.

Her latest anthem:

Give yourself permission to follow your dreams. Nothing should stop you, especially you.

Her superpower:

Communication, execution and creativity.

Her favorite quote:

“It’s impossible.” said pride. “It’s risky.” said experience. “It’s pointless.” said reason. “Give it a try.” whispered the heart.

Interview:

As a tech professional woman charting your own path, what can you share about transitions? What do they teach us?

Transitions are all about new opportunities and challenges when charting your own path. As a young person in tech, it can take you some time to really figure out where you want to be and what you want to be doing. I have gone through a couple of transitions these past few years, as I grow and understand what I want to do and where I want to be from both a life and career perspective. It’s important to not only to accept change but also to be instrumental in making change happen.  Making change happen is hard to do when you are still early in career – at a point when you are still trying to solidify your foundation. However, it feels very liberating for me. It validates that I am in charge of my destiny. 

What advice would you give to women just starting in your field? To women already established?

Some people don’t know what their passion is or what they are good at. So they get stuck in a job or doing something they don’t want to do. My advice is take time to figure this out. In order to determine what matters to me, what I enjoy doing and what I am good at, I need to explore. What this also means is that I have to be willing to embrace change — that is a fundamental requirement in my journey.

What’s your reach this year, and how can this community assist you?

My reach this year is to follow my heart and do what I want to do. I made a really difficult decision to leave Google after concluding that I need to follow my heart. I am running full force with ScubaDiverLife.com and want to make it a viable, sustainable business.  I am confident that I will be successful.

Who is your favorite mentor? 

My favorite mentor is my mother. She has been in the technology industry for over 30 years. She has always been there for me and has amazing business experiences and insights. She is able to give me advice and help me think through different aspects of making the right decisions. In the end it is always my decision – but I always feel that I have had my thinking and awareness expanded by talking things through with her.  

What difference did that make in your life / career? 

My mother encouraged my interest in technology at a very early age, creating the foundation for where I am today. It’s always great to have someone to bounce my ideas and concerns off, who I know will never encourage me to take the easy path.

What’s been the biggest challenge in finding a mentor or someone to mentor?

It’s about finding someone who inspires you. Make sure it is someone you can relate to. Be persistent and outgoing with your ask. Don’t give up.

What’s your take on the state of diversity and women in tech?

I think it really depends on what area of tech you look into. Tech as a whole is still led mostly by men, but that does not mean that this state will persist. Women are ready and able to share the leadership of the tech industry with men more than is happening today. We need to make that happen.