Women in Tech on self-doubt, career growth & breaking stereotypes

Not every career in tech starts with a clear plan – and sometimes that’s the best part.

Luise Klein, Engineering Lead at Haiilo, shares how curiosity (and a bit of trial and error) led her into software development, what it’s been like to grow into leadership, and why comparing yourself to others is rarely worth the energy.

As part of our International Women’s Day coverage, we’re handing her the mic to talk about the moments that shaped her career: the doubts, the shifts, and the lessons learned along the way.

1. Luise, can you tell us about how you got into tech?

I never really had a clear plan to go into tech, I just followed what felt interesting at the time.

As a teenager, I spent a lot of time on my computer, but not in a particularly technical way. I was into gaming, video editing, Photoshop – mostly creative stuff – and built some simple websites at school. That’s what led me to study Digital Media, which was a mix of Computer Science, Informatics, and Art. Back then, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go down a more creative path or something more technical.

It was at university where I realized how much I actually enjoyed programming – and that I was pretty good at it, better than I would ever be on the ‘art side’ of things. That’s what pushed me more toward the tech side.

After university I still could have moved into product management or UX research as most of my fellow students did, but a friend of mine asked me to join her as a software developer in Hamburg, so I did.

I’ve stuck with development because I genuinely enjoy it. It’s been less about having a perfect plan and more about following what felt right at each step.

2. If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

   Don’t be so hard on yourself – and stop being your own worst critic.

I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist, wanting to get everything exactly right. But that mindset can hold you back.

I’d also remind myself not to compare so much. Role models are great, but you shouldn’t let someone else’s achievements make you feel like you’ll never get there, and not even start along your own road.

And sometimes, you need those moments where you’re forced to step out of your comfort zone. If you’re not the most confident person (like me), those situations can actually be really helpful because you don’t give yourself time to overthink – you just do it. That’s how you grow, both in your career and personally.

3. What challenges have you faced along the way in your career?

I didn’t leave school with a clear plan to become a software developer, nor team lead. I mostly followed what felt right at the time, so I wouldn’t say I faced any major obstacles or setbacks.

If anything I sometimes got in my own way questioning my skills, or how I’d fit in and feel comfortable in a male-dominated working environment.

But I didn’t want to limit myself with those kinds of thoughts – and just took the chance to try and see. For me there was nothing to worry about in the end. Sometimes we create barriers in our own heads that don’t actually exist.

4. Are there any stereotypes or misconceptions about women in tech — or tech in general — that you’d like to challenge?

Starting my first job after university I was expecting the majority of my colleagues to be the not very talkative lonesome nerd. But I was quickly proven wrong.

Working in tech, good communication and collaboration skills matter a lot, especially as we are working in teams building something together that none of us could manage alone.

I also had this idea of developers being intimidating, hyper-technical experts, some possibly skeptical towards women seeking tech roles. But actually I experienced everybody as very open-minded, helpful, fair and probably less biased than I myself was in that situation.

I learned to not make assumptions on what other people might think of me – that could become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

5. Is there a career milestone or achievement you’re particularly proud of?

Becoming Engineering Lead last year was definitely a proud moment. But what I’m even prouder of is how I got there.

A few years ago, just after coming back from parental leave, P&T introduced a mentorship program. Each team had a mentor – not a manager, but someone to support other developers and help them grow.

Our VP of Engineering back then suggested I take on the role. I wasn’t sure at first – it was another one of those “Can I really do this?” moments – but I gave it a shot.

Turns out, I really enjoyed it. I discovered I had leadership skills I didn’t even know I had. That experience taught me that you don’t always know what you’re capable of until you’re in the middle of it.

Looking back, I also realized how lucky I’ve been to have people around me who believed in me – sometimes more than I believed in myself. Those little nudges made a huge difference.