Alexis and Alana Karen, an award-winning author who spent over 23 years at Google, explore the question of how to navigate a long and enduring career as a woman in tech. In this raw and honest conversation, they discuss the realities women face in the tech industry and the tools they need to not just survive, but thrive.

Alexis opens the episode reflecting on her own journey through the lens of "the good, the bad, and the ugly." Alana shares how her award-winning book was largely borne of frustration, then highlights her five essential career tools based on her personal experience and interviews with over 80 women.

Alana also provides a “sneak peek” into new content she’s adding in a 5th anniversary version of her book (targeted for release this fall!), based on the striking shifts we've all seen in the tech industry. The two then explore career-defining "power moves" and close the episode with advice on what you can do to sustain a lengthy tech career.

Whether you're early in your tech journey or considering how to navigate your next decade, this conversation offers both validation and practical strategies for building a career that lasts.

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In this episode:

• [1:27] Background on today's guest, Alana Karen
• [2:00] Alexis' career journey: the good, the bad, the ugly
• [12:15] Alana: welcome and introduction
• [17:13] Why Alana wrote "The Adventures of Women in Tech"
• [25:10] Five essential tools for women in tech
• [34:04] The Fifth Anniversary Edition: a sneak peek!
• [43:42] Power moves: career pivots and growth
• [59:50] Advice for long-term career success

Find Alana:

• Website: alanakaren.com  
• LinkedIn
• Sign up for her Newsletter

References:

• Alana’s book: The Adventures of Women in Tech
• Alana’s workbook: The Adventures of Women in Tech Workbook
• Previous episode: Navigating Burnout
• Alana's Interview with Sheryl Sandberg

Share your reactions + ideas for future episodes!