Induction: The TechSis Project
Disclaimer: The perspectives shared in this piece are my own and are meant to be taken with a pinch of salt and, if you feel so inclined, some lime.
I identify as a recovering TechSis™. There, I said it.
Who is a TechSis™, you ask? I turned to my former employer for answers:
Interesting, but I don’t think I’m a Safety Instrumented System. Let’s try this again, but with the word TechBro instead, shall we?
Surprise, surprise: not only does the term have multiple definitions courtesy The Cambridge Dictionary, Wiktionary, PC Magazine, The Guardian, Urban Dictionary, and the like, one of the more commonly searched questions on the subject indicates an aspirational twinge to users’ queries: “How can I become a tech bro?”.
As a special treat for you, my readers, I also invited the latest entrant to the world of popular TechLore, ChatGPT, to this party for one. Here’s what they (it?) had to say when asked to identify a TechSis:
And when pressed to help me understand who, or what, a TechBro is, here’s what came up:
I’m not here to knock on my male counterparts. I have had the distinct pleasure of working with, and befriending, some delightful men who happen to work in tech. If there is one insight I have gathered on the subject of men in Tech in my career thus far, it is this: TechBros, if anything, have had it made over the last few decades. Who wouldn’t want to be part of a community of newly minted millionaires and billionaires representing the new generation of movers and shakers?
What’s interesting to me (a casual observer of society, culture, and politics in the TechWorld), is that the ascent of the TechBro archetype remained unaccompanied by an acknowledgement of the presence of the TechSis in popular culture. She is neither inherently “good” or “bad”. Her state of being appears to be much worse than the (perhaps unfairly stereotyped) TechBro - she doesn’t seem to exist at all.
Sure, we know she exists in a functional sense. We all probably know of at least one woman who is an engineer, product manager, data scientist, IT specialist, lawyer, PR specialist or HR professional working with or for a tech company1. Beyond the mere fact of knowing that she happens to exist, do we know much else about her motivations for doing what she does? Do we know if she, like her male counterpart, carries a stereotype of displaying arrogance, entitlement, (internalised) misogyny and “sis” culture? Not yet, we don’t.
Here are the facts. We do know that in 2022 the archetypal TechSis occupied startlingly little space in the workplace: women made up just 28% of the tech industry workforce. In terms of economic equity, it is expected that we will take another 133 years until the economic gender gap is closed. That’s nearly 5 generations of women, of TechSisters, denied their rightful share of the pie. I’d say this absence of our kind from spaces of money and power makes it worth exploring the nuances of the TechSis Situation.
So who is a TechSis, anyway?
The short answer is, I don’t know! What I do know is that as an Indian woman navigating the TechWorld, I’ve had an interesting experience informed by my race and gender, and that that experience counts for something. I also know that that ineffable “something” merits exploration and articulation.
In the spirit of exploration, then, if I were asked who, or what, a TechSis is, I would probably start with:
anyone who identifies as a woman navigating a career involving tech companies.
I’d also say that no matter what role a TechSis occupies within an organisation, her opinions and perspectives are valuable and worth a patient listening. If you haven’t done it yet, I’d recommend asking a TechSis in your life to share her perspective on topics like money, power, equity in the workplace and internalised misogyny. In the process, let her speak her piece entirely. No interruptions, no speaking over her thoughts and ideas. Take a deep breath, give reflective listening a shot, process what you’re hearing, and then make what you will of the insight you've gathered.
Why do I identify as a “recovering” TechSis?
I’ve put my TechLife on hold! At a time rife with layoffs and a worrying economic recession, I made the (very, very difficult) choice to step out of my working life. This was easily one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my career. Who in their right mind would choose potential instability over a secure, well-paying job with an established institution?
A TechSis in need of healing, that’s who. I was burnt out, exhausted beyond measure, on more medication than my body was willing to take, and in need of serious intervention. Looking back, I can say with confidence that the hardest decision of my career was also the most rewarding call I’ve taken for the bigger stakes at play - Joy, Peace, and Purpose.
Turns out, healing is a whole business in itself and deserves a spotlight and microphone, much like the unsung TechSis.
Thanks for reading The TechSis Project! I’m curious - how would you define a TechSis? Do you identify as one? If yes, drop a line in the comments - I’d love to chat.
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For those who are curious, I also asked ChatGPT to unravel the word “tech company” for me. The response I received is:
“A tech company, short for technology company, is an organization that primarily focuses on developing, producing, and selling technological products or services.
Tech companies can vary greatly in terms of their size, scope, and the specific products or services they offer. They can range from small startups to large multinational corporations. Some common types of tech companies include:
1. Software companies: These companies develop and sell software applications, platforms, or services. Examples include Microsoft, Adobe, and Oracle.
2. Hardware companies: These companies design, manufacture, and sell physical technology devices or components. This can include companies producing smartphones, computers, servers, or semiconductors. Examples include Apple, Dell, and Intel.
3. Internet and social media companies: These companies provide online services and platforms that facilitate communication, networking, content sharing, or e-commerce. Examples include Google, Facebook, and Twitter.
4. E-commerce companies: These companies operate online marketplaces or platforms for buying and selling goods and services. Examples include Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba.
5. Tech consulting and services companies: These companies provide consulting, IT services, or support to other businesses in implementing and managing technology solutions. Examples include Accenture, IBM, and Deloitte.
6. Startups and innovation hubs: These are typically newly established companies focused on developing and introducing innovative technologies or disruptive business models. They often operate in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, or biotechnology.
Tech companies play a crucial role in driving technological advancements, shaping industries, and transforming the way we live and work. They often emphasize innovation, research and development, and staying at the forefront of technological trends to maintain their competitiveness in the market.”