We have 1.4 million jobs that are open in the computing related field.  Less than one third of our work force is prepared for those jobs and less then twenty percent of them, will be filled by women.  Only 9 out of 10 high schools teach Computer Science.  Only 4,000 high school students took the AP Computer Science exam, of which less than 500 were girls. – Reshma Saujani

Out of sheer curiosity, and a conscious effort to redeem myself after accidentally unleashing my Nicki Minaj Pandora station on the entire office, I decided to browse the Chicago Ideasweek webpage during an impromptu lunch break.  The statistical information above was included as a part of Reshma Saujani’s presentation.  As the founder of Girls Who Code, a non-profit organization that fosters female success in computing related fields, Saujani’s talk discussed the under-whelming female presence in the rapidly expanding technology job market. So rather than opting for an excuse, and trust me I had quite a few, I agreed to write a bSmartGuide.com article for Tech Tuesday, a guide for the tech un-savvy if you will.

Somewhere in between leaving my first job out of college and making the 2,000-mile journey home, I found myself in the midst of a quarter life crisis. In what I like to consider my 'time of recuperation,' I spent the majority of my days gouging on Funfetti cake, monopolizing my family’s Netflix account, and spitefully browsing through my friends’ 'Post-Grad Life' Facebook albums. That is, until my boyfriend gently suggested I make an attempt to well, in short, get over it. The next morning, I launched Yours Exceptionally and made an unofficial pledge to take back my life.

Now for those readers who don’t know me personally, technology might as well be the antagonist to my life’s story. I’ve cursed just about every printer I’ve had the unfortunate opportunity of coming into contact with and will most likely never understand how abbreviating three letter words could ever be rationalized as a 'time saver.'  Nonetheless, my blog provided a unique opportunity to engage with technology through an independent and ultimately, empowering lens.

Initially the site served as a private outlet, a means to structure my days with purpose.  I began by writing and editing in my pajamas, sharing my articles with an exclusive collection of close friends and family.  Within a week, I was leaving the house on a daily basis seeking refuge at local coffee shops around the city. And within a month, I found myself knee deep in my first highly publicized campaign, The Choose Your Own Label Initiative. I grew alongside the site finding new and inventive ways to attach interactive material to my posts, sitting through online technology webinars, and even bearing through a short lived attempt at coding.  

So to combat any preemptive hesitation, I’ve decided to debunk a few of the technological 'myths' that may be standing in your way:

1) It’s Too Expensive!

I get it, I feel the same way every time I walk past the giant Apple store on Michigan Ave. Who has that kind of money? Certainly not a recent graduate wearing her only 'professional' suit jacket for the third consecutive day in a row.  Sure, if you want a professional’s opinion on the matter go for it!  But if you’re just getting started and looking to cut down on costs, don’t count yourself out just yet. Believe it or not, the two tools I use most frequently are absolutely free!

YouTube: Yes, it’s astonishing, but the site is useful for something other than MTV replays and SNL highlights.  Rather than spending money for a one-on-one tutor, try to find the solution in an online tutorial first.  Not only do the videos offer helpful visuals for first timers, but you can move at your own pace without the fear of a bruise to the ego.

Pixlr: Looking to edit a photograph without spending an arm and a leg?  Well how about spending nothing at all?  Think a step above iPhoto and a minor downgrade from Adobe Photoshop.  I’ve used Pixlr to format and edit photographs for the blog, freelance design work as well as DIY gifting for friends and family!

2) I Don’t Have the Time!

This was probably my biggest culprit in terms of finally making the jump into a tech-wondrous lifestyle.  Finding time for my hobbies amidst a busy work schedule and a full time relationship was hard enough, but making time for something that I deemed stressful and ultimately useless (which, as a matter of fact, turned out to be entirely untrue) wasn’t happening.  So here’s my advice if you’ve ever: A) sat on hold for more than 45 minutes for any kind of tech consultation, B) spent significantly more than you should on a TV, Computer, cell phone etc., C) restarted your computer 4 times in a row hoping it will miraculously 'solve the problem' OR D) all of the above…well, I rest my case.  If you have time to stress about your tech problems, you have time to fix them.

Don’t feel pressured to do too much at once.  Ease into your technology exploration one week at a time.  It took me one month to perfect my first post.  Two of those weeks were spent contemplating personalized Font settings.  So select something you’d like to accomplish.  It can be as simple as learning to use a new app or creating your own meme.  Keep it light and lean into the discomfort.  You will make mistakes, but then again, that’s why Bill Gates created the 'Edit, Undo.'

3) It’s Too Difficult!

When I first started publishing posts, I didn’t know where to start.  Coding was too overwhelming, yet the few skills I had retained from my 5^th grade computer class were, not surprisingly, out of date.  Trust me, I love an easy fix as much as the next woman, but there is definitely something to be said about taking the extra time to learn those simple solutions yourself.  Perhaps more of a spiritual fix than a technical one, learning that I was, in fact, capable of solving computer problems on my own led to a newfound confidence surrounding my, then, ongoing job search. Further what I temporarily lost in sanity I gained back in self-assured competency.  

The truth is, as much as we can make excuses for ourselves, the larger, and far more detrimental 'myth' is that women and computers just don’t mix— that technological innovation can’t come in the form of a mother, a sister, or a daughter. So then, what shall we do? Accept the 'myth' or create our own solutions?

I’m a woman who codes (well kind of), and I’m damn proud of it!