Some weeks ago my picture was included in a FB photo album on women in tech. I was very, very uncomfortable with that idea and had it’s owner to take my picture down.

Recently the topic of women in tech came up again, so I wanted to address this – I’m not a woman in tech.

I’ve played that “women in tech” card before, getting into press and taking advantage of the affirmative action made available to me simply because my biological sex makes me a minority in the community. I mean, the benefits are out there and I didn’t want to shortchange myself by not grabbing it.

But I’ve since grown to hate it – I know I’m more than the makeup of my chromosome.
I want to be recognised, to be respected for my work, for the results I bring, and for the impact I’ve made in people’s lives… not for my boobs (ok, figurative, not literal boobs).

So don’t call me a woman in tech.

Elisha Tan is the founder of Learnemy. Learnemy is an online marketplace where you can find in-person classes taught by local experts and enthusiasts in Singapore.

Have you met an older person who’s a total dick – no manners, inconsiderate, rude?

That person has more years of experience in being an adult but that doesn’t mean anything.

This is why I’m not afraid of being young (both in terms of age and startup experience) and I’ve stopped respecting people more just because they have done something for a longer period of time. And sometimes, I snigger when people go “you should listen to me because I’ve done it for X years….”

No. I’ll listen to you if you have skills.

Number of years doesn’t mean shit. Skills and results will show themselves, there’s no need for any verbalization.

Elisha Tan is the founder of Learnemy. Learnemy is an online marketplace where you can find in-person classes taught by local experts and enthusiasts in Singapore.