what advice would you give to your younger self?

as a woman, knowing what i know now, i think i’d tell myself to be confident. our team consists mostly of men, but there are women in management. it’s still a men’s world out there, and sometimes women need to believe in themselves a little more. the confidence my colleagues here had in me, how they encouraged me to accept my current job, is one of the reasons i am how i am today.
i do enjoy working with men, don’t get me wrong. you need everyone there for a great dynamic in the workplace. diversity truly helps. i see it here every day. but i think, as a woman, you bring a different perspective, and you must not see yourself as different because of that. you should not ignore yourself. what i also learned here is not to forget to have fun. you work too much not to enjoy it.
finally, i’d say, don’t think in boxes too much. don’t blindly categorise things or people. everything is possible, where there’s a will there’s a way. be critical of your position, check in with yourself, ask yourself if you’re happy. and take chances whenever they come along. that’s something, especially women, can be hesitant to do. i would say: step outside of your comfort zone. what’s the worst that can happen?