Fit Feature: Izzy Obieta

Name: Izzy 

Title: Product Designer

Age or Age Range: 28

Company: Freelancer

How long have you been in tech? 10 years but I have only been a product designer for about 3 years. 

How did you know you wanted to get into tech?

I had a very unconventional way of getting into tech. I’m naturally driven by a deep-rooted mission to use technology for positive change. Growing up as Trans, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and a Filipino immigrant taught me the value of self-reliance. Witnessing my mom's dedication to supporting our family—working two jobs while studying for her nursing degree—inspired me.

At around 12 years old,  I was hustling at a very early age. I began teaching myself photography, videography, and graphic design. These skills weren't just about self-expression but also helped ease the financial strain on my family. In high school, I delved into coding by creating Myspace and Tumblr pages. 

I was captivated by technology's potential to assist communities like mine. Technology, to me, isn't just a tool—it's a force for liberation and equity, empowering marginalized communities, and making a tangible difference in people's lives.

Did your family support you going into tech?

Yes! At first, my parents were a little disappointed. Not necessarily because I decided to drop out of college, but because I made the switch from becoming a Cardiac Surgeon to Graphic Design while IN college. But they had a change of heart once they realized how passionate I was in my creative pursuits. When I scored my first big client, Amazon, they started to see the value of my passions. 

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to follow a similar career path?

Dive into life headfirst. See the patterns and systems everywhere, not just in software, but in everyday life, too. Bring a curious mindset, and be ready to embrace failure as a learning tool.

These philosophies have been the backbone of my personal and professional journey. Seeing beyond just the creative side of things is crucial. So, I recommend adding business and data skills to a designer's toolkit when making the transition.

Also, find your passion within the tech world. Designers are like the glue between technology and humanity. Being passionate about a product helps you understand how to shape its design. For instance, during my time at Arise, drawing from my own experiences with an eating disorder helped me understand how to engage our audience and create an inclusive product for our members.

What skills do you think are most important to have to excel in that role?

As a founding product designer, I have the privilege of influencing not only the product but also the business itself at such an early stage.

Being in this role also fueled my entrepreneurial side. Working closely with founders, you're immersed in the startup's business side. It's incredible to see something emerge from nothing and reach thousands of people. As a founding product designer, you collaborate closely with a small team to build the core of the product together.

The main skills I would have to identify included an array of multidimensional components like understanding the business needs, failing fast, learning fast, co-designing, and leading with empathy. These are core for navigating the challenges of early-stage product development and ensuring alignment between product vision and business goals.

Do you feel represented in tech?

As someone with various intersecting identities, including being Filipino, I'd have to disagree. The profession is still overwhelmingly dominated by White Cis-males, making up 71% of the field. As a Filipino-American, despite Asian Americans representing 10% of UX design, I rarely come across fellow Fil-Am designers. If there are any, they're most likely back home in the Philippines.

Do you feel supported by the Filipinos in the tech community?

Yes, I would say that I feel supported by my kababayan. Some of my mentors are Filipino themselves. I specifically seek out other Filipinos in this space because we face unique challenges as designers who identify as Filipino.

What advice do you have for other Filipinos in tech who are having issues growing and obtaining promotions at their company?

Fostering genuine connections within a company has been crucial for my career development. It's important to invest time in getting to know people not only in a professional capacity but also as individuals. After all, you spend practically every day with them. I believe that 90% of job satisfaction stems from the people you work with.

I would bring our Filipino values such as resilience, kapwa, and hiya as a part of your arsenal in your professional career. 

What personal accomplishment are you most proud of?

Being part of building Arise stands out as one of my greatest accomplishments to date. Bringing eating disorder care to hundreds of marginalized and overlooked individuals is incredibly rewarding. Working closely with the founders I continuously have the ongoing privilege of building a product from scratch to where it is today. 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Besides hanging out on a beach in Palawan? I would say in 5 years, I would love to build my own start-up. That’s initially why I decided to continue dedicating my passion to start-ups and being a founding product designer. 

What would you like to see more of from Filipinx in Tech?

I would love to see more in-person events! 

Do you have any tips for standing out or landing a job hunting in the current job market? 

Come with an understanding that the current job market is a tough one. First, I would like to say that you need to have empathy for yourself during this time.

Standing out in this job market means exposing yourself to as many fields as possible. I entered the tech industry by taking any role I could find and gradually worked my way up. 

Approach it with curiosity, focus on learning, and prioritize making connections within the community. Your personal branding is also another key to standing out. 

On a technical level, strive to build as many products as you can. Consider becoming a founder yourself. Learn how to gather and analyze data, understand business terminology, and grasp the basics of coding.