Watch Sabeen Ali’s TEDx talk, and try not to feel inspired

There’s no question that women face several career challenges, especially in male-dominated fields like tech. Fortunately, there’s a movement underway to encourage women to pursue the opportunities they deserve.

Sabeen Ali is setting a powerful example for women who want to learn how to code or start their own businesses. Before starting at AngelHack, Ali founded and sold a startup that focused on teambuilding, consulting and employee engagement. Since then, she’s also made it her personal mission to empower women, and to show them how the power of code can improve both their careers, and the world at large.

The University of San Francisco, Ali’s alma mater, has written up a fantastic summary of her recent TEDx talk in Orange County, where she talks about the power of technology to break down educational barriers for women around the world. Here are some of Ali’s highlights from the article and talk:

On coding’s power to level the playing field:

“The essence behind the technology doesn’t discriminate and it doesn’t reveal who you are. The only thing that is revealed is the quality of what has been created and the skill level of his or her work.”

On changing the world from where you are:

“You don’t have to look that far outside yourself or where you are to be successful. You don’t have to abandon things close to you or things that matter to you in order to succeed. […] Teaching girls how to code can leverage the possibilities that technology allows for.”

On being a successful entrepreneur:

“To be a successful entrepreneur is achieving a purpose that is greater than yourself. You have something bigger than yourself to give back to the world. Now you have to live life without limitations because it’s the only way you’ll know how to survive and it’s the only way you’ll know what you’re made of.”

Check out the full article, and embedded TEDx talk, at USF’s website. It’s well worth the read. And if you’re interested in pursuing a management degree at USF, click here.

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