How to Live a Technovation Life

You might be thinking, “What is a Technovation life and why would I want to live one?” For the last 3 months, I have been a mentor in the Technovation Challenge, a program to encourage young women to become high tech entrepreneurs. This is my fourth Technovation Challenge. For the participants and the mentors, going through the challenge can be thrilling, exhausting, inspiring, exasperating, and amazing. Now that it is over, as a participant, you should reflect on what you’ve learned and consider how you can continue these learnings even after the challenge is over. That’s what I mean when I say “live a Technovation life.”

For all the Technovation participants reading this, think about why you joined the program this year. What did you want to get out of it? And, what did you get out of it? What do you want to learn next? These are important questions because that will frame what you can do to reap continual benefits.

Do you want to learn more about technology?

Do you want to finish your Technovation app?

Continue to work on your app. Use App Inventor to develop your app to a point where you can share it with your peers. App Inventor has many resources available to help you add features. Even though App Inventor has limits, you can accomplish many useful things.

Do you want to continue working with your team?

Meet with your team and decide what project you want to take on next. You can participate in the Technovation Challenge again next year! Encourage your team to work together to further your knowledge so you can build a better app next year.

Do you want to learn more about entrepreneurship?

Finding summer intern opportunities is difficult for young people, but with determination and flexibility, you can find them. Contact a startup and offer your services for the summer. Look for companies that make products for you; contact the company and offer your services to test or give feedback for future products. You will learn more about entrepreneurship by working with entrepreneurs.

Although I have many reasons for getting involved with the Technovation Challenge, a key reason I participate in the Technovation Challenge is because I want to increase the number of women who pursue computer science as a career. I encourage you to continue in technology and to encourage your peers to do the same. Technology has changed the world in many ways. Pursuing a technical career means you help determine the future.

Get involved in something about which you feel passionately. You will benefit and so will others. Go make a difference!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Margaret is the founder and CEO of Innovaspire, a startup revolutionizing how people study. Prior to founding Innovaspire, she accumulated 25 years of experience in the high-tech industry including working at industry leaders such as Apple, Microsoft, and Sun. Margaret has managed small and large engineering organizations as well as led business partnerships. Margaret taught high school for four years and she created the curriculum and taught the first Technovation Challenge. Each summer, Margaret offers internships to Technovation participants, mentoring them and encouraging them to continue their pursuit of technology-related careers.