Driven mostly by spite, jess coded
jess unrein

jess unrein @thejessleigh

About: Pronouns: they/them | | | Pythonista, cat lover, reader, writer, and gamer in Chicago. Tip jar: https://ko-fi.com/thejessleigh

Location:
Chicago
Joined:
Sep 19, 2018

Driven mostly by spite, jess coded

Publish Date: Mar 8 '19
63 4

I continued to code in 2019 because...

  • Coding for a living is like getting to solve puzzles for a living. I love that.
  • My first VP of Engineering told after only three months on the job that I just didn't seem "technical enough," and that I should consider a "people management" or product manager track instead. I hope he sees my entire career as a "fuck you" direct from me to him.
  • Gotta keep a roof over my head.

I deserve credit for...

  • Prioritizing my health and work life balance over the last 14 months. It's easy to fall into a rut, especially at a desk job where you don't have to interact with people as much as many other professionals do.
  • Taking time for myself.
  • Coming out as nonbinary at work.

I hope to see my tech community...

  • Start treating nonbinary people as legitimate, rather than "woman-lite."
  • Start including more WOC and nonbinary POC voices in leadership.
  • Commit to pay transparency.

Comments 4 total

  • Ben Lovy
    Ben LovyMar 8, 2019

    Living well is the best revenge

  • Ben Dowen
    Ben DowenMar 8, 2019

    "Commit to pay transparency.", +1 for this! Thanks for sharing.

  • Shannon Crabill
    Shannon CrabillMar 8, 2019

    Your puzzle analogy is on point!

    Also, now I want to put some puzzle to give myself a break from looking at code all day.

  • Jen Chan
    Jen ChanMar 9, 2019

    I get a sense you’re quite competitive, as it’s a trait I have too when someone tells me (or makes a gesture to say) I can’t. It all started with parental disapproval, and what a useful driving force.

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