Fit Feature: Abby Nanquil
Name: Abby Nanquil
Title: UX Designer
Age: 33
Company: Kodeco
How long have you been in tech? 5 years
How did you know you wanted to get into tech?
I was looking for an area that would have a lot of professional opportunities career wise and location wise. How were you able to transition into the tech space? My background in international relations and education gave me skills in research, critical thinking, and problem solving. I took those skills to pivot from a consultant role to a Customer Success role. Since I already had a lot of the soft skills required for UX design, I took a bootcamp to teach me the hard skills of UX design which leads me to where I am now.
What made you decide to take a bootcamp course?
I’m a learner who needs accountability and structure to succeed, so a live bootcamp was the best choice for my particular style.
Were you supported by your family to get into tech?"
They were cautiously optimistic about my choice and trusted that I could make things work.
Do you feel represented in tech?
Yes. There are a ways to go in terms of seeing more Filipino representation across the board, but we’ve already come a long way and it’s better than it was even 2-3 years ago .
Do you feel supported by the Filipinos in tech community? (in general not this org). Absolutely! I think we keep an eye out for each other, whether it’s through work, conferences, or professional groups like Filipinx in Tech.
What advice do you have for other Filipinos in tech that are having issues growing and obtaining promotions at their company? If you’ve tried switching teams and working with your manager to create more concrete goals/criteria for promotion, it might be time to explore new opportunities. You will know the feeling when it’s time to leave - trust your instincts.
What advice do you have for other Filipinos that are interested in breaking into UX? Attend free workshops, info sessions, lectures, etc. to start learning about the space and (potentially) meet new people. There are so many online and in person events from what I’ve seen!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Working at my dream company (😌) in either a UX design role or potentially, a product manager role! And spending 1-2 months in Japan each year 😎