Her Story
About Karla
I serve as Director of Strategic Alliances with ADP, where I've been working in the technology industry for almost 10 years. My journey into tech represents a significant career transition - I came from an HR background and successfully pivoted into technology, which is something many people aspire to do but find challenging without strong networking. I'm a very positive person who believes in achieving great things, and I've learned that this positive energy is something you transmit to others, especially in interviews and professional settings. As both a woman and a Hispanic professional in tech, I've experienced firsthand that there are still very few women in this field, but I've also discovered that once you're at the table, you realize the other people there aren't smarter than you - you bring value and deserve to be there. My background in HR, combined with my business education and technology experience, makes me unique, and I've learned that who you are is your biggest asset. Your background and everything you bring to the table is what makes you stand out.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Karla
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being a very positive person. I believe that I'm going to achieve great things, and that belief is what you transmit to the other person. So if you go to an interview believing that you're gonna get that job, and of course, having prepared yourself and feeling confident, it's very possible that you're gonna get it. That positive energy and self-belief, combined with preparation, has been key to my achievements.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to believe in yourself, and think that you deserve the chair, a chair at the table. Even though you come from different backgrounds, you have something to add, and you can add value to any conversation. This advice has been fundamental in helping me navigate my career, especially as I transitioned from HR to technology.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say, prepare yourself. Study. Get your education, don't stop learning, and be out there looking for opportunities. But you have to be ready for the opportunities before they come. It's not enough to just wait for opportunities - you need to actively prepare yourself through continuous education and learning so that when those opportunities arise, you're equipped to seize them.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I would say a challenge and an opportunity is that there are very few women in tech still. It is a challenge because, you know, sometimes we don't believe - and I'm also Hispanic - so we don't believe that we deserve that chair at the table. We think that's not for us. But then it is also an opportunity because once you're there, you realize that the other people that are on the table are not smarter than you. So you bring value, you deserve to be there. And who you are is your biggest asset, so your background and everything that you bring to the table is what makes you unique.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Work ethic is very important to me. You have to be transparent, and you have to do a good job, and you have to build trust. Networking is also crucial - you have to be open to talking to people and looking for new opportunities. In my case, I went from HR to technology, so that's a big change. A lot of people want to do that, and if you don't network, it is very, very hard, even if you have the background. These values of transparency, trust-building, strong work ethic, and active networking have been essential to both my professional success and personal fulfillment.
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