Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Arteaga.
Hi Maria, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello World! My name is Maria Arteaga. I am based in Austin, Texas, and I am a first-generation college Latina in my family. My father immigrated to the US in his early years, hoping to find and live the “American Dream.” I was born in California but was primarily raised in Austin for most of my childhood. I attended The University of Texas at Austin, where I initially pursued medicine. Early on, I knew I was passionate about science, learning new languages, and grasping new concepts. It wasn’t until I graduated from UT Austin that I realized my true passion gravitated toward the tech world. This is why I consider myself an individual with a non-linear path, as I made a career change from medicine to tech. It took a lot of introspection and trial and error, but that’s what life is about discovering our true authentic selves and unlocking our best potential. There is always time to set and start a new goal.
What drew me to the tech world was its opportunities and flexibility. Numerous opportunities are available, and it’s a flexible field that allows you to unleash and express yourself creatively in a way that can change the world.
In October 2022, I decided to start a self-taught journey to learn to code to build myself to a level to create a medical app. I decided to open an Instagram account (cyberspace.maria) to document my journey and empower others to break into tech. The tech community is amazing, and seeing everyone supporting each other is wonderful. I never expected to receive the tremendous support I’ve received these past six months.
I will soon merge my passion for medicine, fitness, and tech to create an app! Follow me on my Instagram (cyberspace.maria) to connect with me or learn more about my journey! We are all lifelong learners, and I want to make a positive lasting impact in this lifetime.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been fairly smooth?
There are some challenges I’ve faced in making my transition from medicine to tech. It takes strong discipline and consistency to stay motivated on a self-learning coding path. To stay organized, I use my planner daily. I write down what I will do daily and stay on schedule. With so many media outlets available these days, finding the best resource suitable for your needs can sometimes feel overwhelming. Additionally, being a Latina in tech is also a challenge, as there is currently a need for more diversity and inclusion efforts in the tech industry to attract and retain Latinas and other underrepresented groups. Thankfully, my family has supported my goals and journey so far!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with what you do?
I currently work for an online digital advertising company headquartered in San Francisco. My expertise centers on SaaS startup environments, customer service, and global professional consulting company projects. Through continued coursework and professional development, I stay in tune with the latest software and technologies. I love attending meetups and networking regularly. It’s always good to gain insight into new perspectives. I am proud of the impact I’ve made on the tech community thus far and hope to continue empowering individuals to gain the confidence to break into tech, especially among women and minority groups who sometimes struggle to find the resources they need.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting?
If I could advise my past self or anyone starting with a new goal/endeavor, it would be to “take the risk!” The worst thing that can happen is a failure, but the cost of regret of not taking that risk can be more painful long term. You don’t want to live a “what-if” life where you continuously wonder how things could have been different if you had taken that risk earlier. If that risk leads to failure, you can try again, but this time with experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artjmaria.github.io/Portfolio/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyberspace.maria/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-arteaga-181ab31ab/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/marialenom
