In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re happy to bring our Women in Tech Series, spotlighting accomplished women shaping the tech industry. While strides have been made towards gender diversity, the industry lags behind others. At 3D Cloud®, we stand behind and empower outstanding women propelling the industry forward. So, grab your favorite brew, take a seat, and delve into the inspiring journey of —
Annie Osterfeld.
We can start with how you landed in the tech industry. Can you tell us about that?
Annie Osterfeld: I graduated from college without a clear idea of what I wanted to do. Thinking about the types of classes I’d enjoyed in school, my CSE class came to mind, where I learned Excel functions and formulas. I loved the logic of it all. I went through a tech bootcamp and got a job where my manager supported me as I tried different roles until I figured out what I liked. I coded, project-managed, ran scrum teams, and ultimately found a tech path that allowed my skill set to shine.
What steps did you take to become the Account Director at 3D Cloud?
AO: I’m an Account Director. I lead a team of project managers as they plan and implement technical projects for our clients. Trying out a number of different roles allowed me to figure out where in the industry I belong, and move up from there. I like the technical parts and the logic, but I also like people and bridging the gap between the technical side and the customer. As someone who started serving tables at 16 and did so for a decade, I credit much of my success to my experience in the restaurant industry. You learn skills like prioritization, decision-making, multitasking, how to deal with tough or unhappy customers, when and how to stand up for yourself, when it is and isn’t appropriate to crack a joke, and I could go on and on. Whether I’m bridging the gap between chefs and hungry people or software developers and furniture retailers, I like being in the middle and making sure everyone has what they need to succeed.
“You don’t need to assimilate or be just like everyone else in the room. You need to show up, know your stuff, and provide the unique insight or point of view you have that no one else might think about.” – Annie Osterfeld, Account Director of 3D Cloud
What are some unique challenges of a career in tech?
AO: One thing you can predict about technology is that it’s unpredictable. There is always something new to learn and a new skill set to add to your tool belt. And if you don’t keep up with the changes, you’ll fall behind. An additional challenge of working in tech is when clients want something that isn’t technically feasible. Figuring out how to communicate technical blockers to non-technical people can be tough. You explain it as best you can, offer alternative solutions, and work toward a solution that makes everyone happy.
Is there a project or success story you are most proud of?
AO: I’m most proud of anything I work on that increases efficiency and makes my colleagues’ and clients’ lives easier. Most recently, I worked with one of our data team members to solve a customer problem: they wanted to frequently update product data. Previous efforts to do so required a ton of time and effort from both sides. The solution we developed allows the client to essentially self-serve their product updates through an HTML job my teammate produced and hand us a sheet ready for upload. It required some detailed conversations and a thorough understanding of the requirements, but the payoff is huge on both sides and can be used for other clients in the future.
What advice would you give to younger women considering a career in the furniture industry today?
AO: Go for it! There are so many options and avenues for career paths to go down in the tech industry, from coding to data analysis to project management to tech sales, etc. Figure out what you like and don’t like, be willing to try anything, and keep an open mind. I have found that working on a product that you genuinely care about helps a lot. And, find a mentor. My first boss was a woman who’d built herself an impressive career in tech. Being able to go to her for advice and guidance was crucial in the beginning of my career.
What’s something women in this industry should talk more openly about?
AO: There can be pressure to perform when you’re one of the few women in a room or a job title that’s typically dominated by men. You want to represent yourself and other women well. I love talking to other women in the industry about that pressure and how we handle it. You don’t need to assimilate or be just like everyone else in the room. You need to show up, know your stuff, and provide the unique insight or point of view you have that no one else might think about. If you work with the right people, they respect anyone who puts their best foot forward and makes an impact.
Outside of work, what fuels your creativity or leadership style?
AO: I love to get out of my head when I’m not working. I spend so much time during my work days making sure things are exact and planned down to every detail. Outside of work, I like to cook without a recipe, take challenging workout classes where I don’t know what the instructor will tell me to do next, and go on adventures to new places and restaurants. I’m also a professional bachelorette party attendee and planner, using my project management skills to coordinate large groups of women across 3 days in different cities. Brides are some of my toughest stakeholders.
Annie’s journey highlights the power of curiosity, connections, and grit in shaping a successful career.
Thank you, Annie, for sharing your career journey with us.
