Stephanie Doctor is our Director of Product Management at MakeMusic and shares her experience and what led to her current career path.
For many professionals, the journey into technology is not linear. As the tech industry grows and evolves, many workers are finding new opportunities to grow their careers in tandem.
For working women — a demographic historically underrepresented in STEM professions — discovering a career in technology later in life may be more likely than their male colleagues. According to data from Women in Tech, women held 35 percent of technology jobs in the United States in 2023, but women account for only 22 percent of engineering and computer science degrees.
Tell us about your current role. What first sparked your interest in that field?
My current role is director of product management, where I manage a team of product managers and product designers who create software for creating, teaching and learning music. Before entering tech, I was a music teacher who utilized the software that MakeMusic, a Peaksware company, creates. My degrees are in music education and music performance. Teaching music and driving a lifelong passion for learning has always been my career motivation.
Making a pivot from teaching music in the classroom to edtech, where I was very familiar with the products and services, was a natural evolution of my career. I started my first tech role as a customer success manager and transitioned into a more technical role as a music production engineer and quality assurance technician, then landed into product management.
Tell us about your journey into tech. Were there any challenges or lessons learned along the way?
My path into tech was not linear. Starting my career overtook a lot of work, dedication and finding my way. When I saw an entry-level job posting at MakeMusic, I thought it would be the perfect way to get my foot in the door during a competitive job market. I loved the job and the people I was working with and thrived. It’s a very welcoming and energizing atmosphere. My background in music education and the entry-level job in tech gave me the foundation to learn and explore where I could go next.
The most significant challenge is constantly learning fast on your feet. Tech is continually changing, and you have to be able to understand and adapt quickly. That is also what makes the job so exciting to me. It draws many parallels to my previous teaching jobs. You need to be a lifelong learner. Thankfully, there are many resources online for gaining new skill sets. Prioritizing the skills that would make the most impact on my goals was key to making the most of my time.
Self-doubt was also a challenge at times. Finding and pursuing the opportunities when faced with criticism or an unexpected outcome was a necessary mind shift that kept my momentum.
What programs or people helped you along the way? How do you help others move their careers forward?
Mentors and networks have been integral to my success. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my current manager, who saw my potential early and brought me onto the product development team. I’m surrounded by outstanding leaders across MakeMusic and Peaksware where we learn so much from each other. We take training together and meet regularly. I’ve also leveraged a career coach to help me transition and grow into the leader I am today. I take advantage of local meetups in design and product management where I get to network with others, share my knowledge and learn from all the amazing tech companies in the area.
To pass on support to other career professionals, I often work with teachers who want to transition to tech or are in a new role they need to navigate. I am also a mentor for Global Women in Tech where I get to connect with women all over the world, walk through their goals and support them in their career journey.
Original article written by Conlan Carter, click here for the entire article.
