Her Story
About Allyson
Allyson Johnson is a freelance journalist, author, and former software salesperson who transitioned to writing after a career in technology sales and account management. She earned a degree in English from Stanford University and initially taught English for seven years before entering the software industry, where she held positions at multiple companies and ultimately spent 15 years at a large firm before retiring. Upon retirement, she pursued her passion for writing, securing a paid op-ed column at her local newspaper that she maintained for 10 years and now contributes to as a freelance stringer. She has published her debut novel and has a second novel scheduled for release in November by She Writes Press, while actively working on her third historical novel and participating in a women's writing group. Johnson values connection in her work, drawing from her experience as a liaison between engineering, sales, and customers to make complex issues clear in her writing.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Allyson
01What do you attribute your success to?
I never allowed being a woman to get in the way of what I wanted. I've always spoken out for what I wanted. Ask for what you want. If you don't ask, you won't get.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Sit yourself down in front of your desk and write, dammit, for at least an hour a day. No matter what else happens, write something every day.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Go into every meeting with your head held high, and knowing what you want to achieve very clearly. And take the steps to make sure you get there. Ask for what you want. If you don't ask, you won't get.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is the threat and fear of artificial intelligence. The opportunity is to present yourself as a human being with unique talents and experiences that artificial intelligence can't mimic.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Connection. When I was working for pay for a corporation, my job involves being a liaison between the engineering group and the sales group, between the sales group and the customers, trying to help these different interest groups understand each other and value what each other was offering. And I try to do the same in my writing, to find an issue or a person that needs explanation, perhaps, and find a way to make that explanation clear.
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