Spotlight Stories: Pioneering the Future of Tech - The Remarkable Journey of Eileen Xue
Eileen Xue
Tech pioneer, mentor, creative.
In this month’s edition of AthenaCodes Spotlight Stories, I’d like to highlight Eileen Xue, a multidimensional tech pioneer.
Eileen is quite exceptionally not just a UX Developer at Curacity but also a part-time lecturer and supervisor for Master of Digital Media students at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her story is not just an inspirational account of embracing change but a playbook for anyone aiming to pioneer their path in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.
Eileen and I connected through the AMII Kickstart 2023 program, an initiative by the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute aimed at boosting the careers of early-stage women and gender-diverse individuals in AI. Her story stood out as a beacon, a practical roadmap for every aspiring tech professional.
A Life-long Attraction to Technology
As a child, Eileen had an innate pull towards technology and gadgets. Yet, her undergraduate degree in Psychology came at a time when STEM fields didn't have the focus they do today. However, Eileen's subsequent dive into a multimedia program turbocharged her love for web development. What began as a fascination with media content creation blossomed into a passion for coding and problem-solving in digital spaces.
"I ended up with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology, but it was my decision to do another multimedia program that jumpstarted my career and interests in web development."
This wasn't a simple segue; it was a calculated pivot that married her love for media content creation with a newfound passion for coding.
Evolving with the Industry
Eileen's journey is a testament to resilience and adaptability. She began her career as a front-end developer—what she calls a "front-of-the-front-end" developer—working closely with designers in shaping the user experience. A dramatic shift came when her company restructured. "I went from mostly producing UI components through React to mostly doing back-end with C# and SQL," Eileen recalls. Far from retreating, she saw it as an opportunity to stretch her skill set. Fast forward to today, she's not just comfortable but is now keen on diving into data analysis, visualization, and even AI/ML applications.
Empowering the Next Generation
With a bucket full of experience and knowledge, Eileen has transitioned into a mentor, teaching introductory coding at her local university.
"Over the past two years, I’ve started to share my knowledge through mentoring and teaching introductory coding and emerging technology topics at my local university," she says.
Her students, mostly from creative industries, find a new sense of accomplishment under her guidance.
But she didn't stop there; Eileen recently became a Google Women Techmakers Ambassador, a truly inspiring accomplishment and commitment to technology.
A Guiding Light for Aspiring Techies
For anyone on the fence about a tech career, Eileen has straightforward advice: "You have nothing to lose."
She suggests taking trial runs and understanding that there are diverse roles in tech beyond coding.
It's about leveraging your existing skills and then diving deep as you discover what excites you. "Once you're in and start working, you will begin to discover what you like and then you can dive deeper," she notes.
The Mantra: Just Go for It!
"You'll never know unless you try, so just go for it!" Eileen believes in overcoming fears and not discounting oneself. "When you show your passion, personality, and authenticity, amazing things will follow," she adds. And Eileen’s own story is living proof of that wisdom. She's captured some of the bigger opportunities that have come her way, boosting her confidence manifold.
Closing Thoughts
Eileen Xue is not just a subject of our Spotlight Story; she is the epitome of what the Spotlight Stories series aims to illuminate: extraordinary women doing extraordinary things.
"You’ll never know unless you try, so just go for it!" Eileen’s maxim holds a mirror to her life, a testament to what can be achieved when you blend passion with a tireless pursuit of knowledge.
Eileen's story is an aspirational tale for anyone at the cusp of a decision, at the brink of an opportunity, or at the start of their tech journey. I hope her journey not only resonates with you but also incites action. Like Eileen, let's adopt the mentality to overcome fears and seize the moment because when we "show our passion, personality, and authenticity, amazing things will follow."
