The Magic Behind Segmentify’s Success

As a technology company, we sell Artificial Intelligence algorithms to eCommerce businesses. And it is an industry known for being male-dominated. However, we believe that women are essential in the work field and bring success to the company. We are proud to announce that nearly half of our company consists of women from different positions and departments. This article brings you nine different stories from our successful, hard-working, intelligent women at Segmentify—four of them are in management positions and five are from the technology departments. We hope that these stories inspire future women managers and developers. 

Happy International Women’s Day to all the incredible, powerful, hard-working women!

Esra Sancaklı, People & Culture Manager

“As women, we need to free ourselves from the stereotypes and prejudices assigned to us by society. We have the power to do whatever we want.”

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

After graduating from METU, I have completed an MBA degree at Galatasaray University. I’ve left behind about 10 years in my career. After gaining experience at the HR departments in the banking, software, and FMCG industries, I started working as the People and Culture Manager at Segmentify in May 2021.

Could you tell us about the challenges and difficulties you’ve faced as a female manager? 

Unfortunately, being a woman brings some disadvantages in every aspect of life because of the patriarchal society that we live in. Therefore, achieving success requires a bit more effort than men. Wage inequalities between men and women, the fact that men are more involved in management teams, and the bottlenecks in career development brought about by matching women with roles such as motherhood are some of the experiences that I have personally encountered and that of my female friends. However, I have full faith that we will overcome these issues in time and live in a more equal world.

What do you think about the low number of women in technology companies and the stereotypical beliefs that women do not understand technology? 

A sexist approach such that women do not understand a field of any work is unacceptable. How could gender differences cause such a situation anyway? These are patriarchal prejudices that are entirely engraved in our minds. The number of women in technology has increased in recent years, so we see more and more women in technical jobs. In this sense, women continue to break these kinds of prejudices. As Segmentify, the number of women in our technology teams is also at a very satisfactory level. In addition, I would like to state that we are proud to make positive discrimination against our female candidates in our recruitment processes to increase the number of women in technology roles.

Finally, what is your advice to young female candidates who want to become managers like you in the future?

As women, we need to free ourselves from the roles, stereotypes, and prejudices assigned to us by society. We have the power to do whatever we want, and with this self-confidence, we must first make our career choices according to our interests and competencies. We should not accept being told, “You can’t!”. In managerial roles, we must assert our common sense, intelligence, and skills. I know that sometimes we will face different obstacles to succeed, but I think we need to get strength from each other. Focus on the goal, girls!

Merve Altun, Head of Global Account Management

“No matter what challenges life brings, I believe there is nothing a woman cannot achieve when she wants to.”

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I have graduated with a Business Administration degree and have been in business for 5 years, 4 of them being at Segmentify. Currently, I am working as the Manager of our Global Account Management team at Segmentify.

Could you tell us about the challenges and difficulties you’ve faced as a female manager?

Although I have experienced the disadvantage of being a woman in my personal life at various times, I have not faced major difficulties as a female manager. But I am one of the few lucky women. Segmentify is full of open-minded people who accept equality between genders as part of corporate culture, who can take action at any point when women are being oppressed because of their gender, and who will not allow this. This is true for everyone at the company, from the company’s founders to the lowest level. For example, in my first year at Segmentify, I was positioned as the manager of this one person. And when I explained the tasks expected from him, he said very clearly to my face that he did not have to listen to me and would not do the work that came from me. He simply said, “I do not accept you.”. He obviously did not like that I started out as an expert and then was brought in as a female manager. However, after a short struggle, when I reported this to my manager, he fully supported me, and he took action without delay. Cases like this make you more committed to the company and the work there because you believe you can safely stay where you work and that you will never be oppressed as a woman.

What do you think about the low number of women in technology companies and the stereotypical beliefs that women do not understand technology?

Completely unjustified. In fact, the more successful a man is in the tech industry, the more successful a woman can be. I have seen many examples of this, and I continue to see it. I may not have graduated from a technical department, nor do I write code. But I know enough to talk about the technique, understand it, and even produce a solution proposal. But still, I’m prejudiced because I’m not an engineer. I’ve had colleagues who thought whether I was approaching or not. You can overcome this by working more closely together. Segmentify always does its best to keep the number of female and male employees equal. There are almost as many female developers in our company as male developers.

Finally, what is your advice to young female candidates who want to become managers like you in the future?

No matter what happens, you should never stop believing in yourself and believing that you can achieve anything you put your mind to. No matter what challenges life brings, I believe there is nothing a woman cannot accomplish when she wants to. Just dream, demand and go step by step on the path you want. Even if we make mistakes and fall, we can stand up more confidently, learn from our mistakes, and move forward. Make good use of the opportunities that come their way. These opportunities can be at a level that will determine the course of the rest of your life.

Tuğçe Güner, Product Marketing Manager

“Develop yourself in both social skills and technical abilities that you use in business life and always look for the better.”

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I graduated from Marmara University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, in 2014. I have about 8 years of work experience in Marketing. After joining Segmentify, I worked in the management of onboarding processes, and for the last 6 months, I have been working as Product Marketing Manager.

Could you tell us about the challenges and difficulties you’ve faced as a female manager?

There were some who thought that after I became a mother, I would not be able to show my old performance in business life or that I would have difficulties adapting. Some people even found it strange that I returned to work 6 months after giving birth. Unfortunately, I hear similar stories around me, but I can say that these prejudices do not harm us. On the contrary, they whip them. Because after I had a son, my motivation and energy towards life increased so much that I can clearly feel the positive reflections of this in my business life.

What do you think about the low number of women in technology companies and the stereotypical beliefs that women do not understand technology?

The high number of female employees, especially at Segmentify, makes me very proud to see similarly successful female managers in the industry. In my opinion, women prove their success in the tech industry and overcome stereotypes with their success.

Finally, what is your advice to young female candidates who want to become managers like you in the future?

My advice to all my fellow future women managers is always to be grounded, self-confident individuals who believe in their work. Developing ourselves in both social skills and technical abilities that we use in business life and always looking for the better will lead us to success.

Rümeysa Çakır, Technical Success Team Lead

“Always improve yourself and understand and communicate from different perspectives to become an excellent manager.”

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a fairly recent Computer Programming graduate. After working in design and software in different eCommerce companies, I joined the Segmentify family in 2019. After working as a Front-end Developer for about 1.5 years at Segmentify, I moved to the team lead position, and I am still working as a Technical Team Lead in the Global Team.

What are the challenges and difficulties you’ve faced as a woman while studying your major and working in the tech industry? 

As a young manager, I am considered at the beginning of my career. For this reason, there is no specific incident that I have experienced, but there were times when I had difficulties and thought of changing fields due to the high ratio of male IT employees in the companies I worked for before.

What do you think about the low number of women in technology companies and the stereotypical beliefs that women do not understand technology?

As a technical high school graduate, I have been involved with computer technologies for a long time. So in a way, I’ve been intertwined with technology since high school. Since then, I have come across many such statements. For example, even when I was enrolling in the department in high school, I received feedback that this department was not suitable for women and it was wrong for me to choose it. However, despite all these incorrect thoughts, we see that women are very successful in the tech industry in today’s world. The important thing is to ignore these unjust criticisms and focus on the profession you really want to do and work for it.

Finally, what is your advice to young female candidates who want to work in the tech industry like you in the future?

If your career goal is to be a manager, you can attend training to improve yourself in this field. I also believe that understanding and communicating from different perspectives is valuable in terms of management.

Selin Kurt, Back-End Developer

“I hope that together we can increase the number of women in technology companies by collaborating and supporting each other.”

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I graduated from Computer Engineering in 2021. Since graduation, I have been working in the tech industry. And for the last 4 months, I have been working at Segmentify as a Back-End Developer. 

What are the challenges and difficulties you’ve faced as a woman while studying your major and working in the tech industry?

Unfortunately, like most women, I’ve faced difficulties. There is an audience that trusts men more even when you are in the same status and have the same level of knowledge, or even better. I have often been exposed to comments that limit the working areas of women in the industry, such as “As a woman, x position is more suitable for you, you will be more comfortable.”. Even if you do not ask anyone’s opinion, some people see the right to find the most suitable one for you because you are a woman.

What do you think about the low number of women in technology companies and the stereotypical beliefs that women do not understand technology?

It is necessary to think about whether or not to understand technology on the basis of knowledge/curiosity, not gender. A woman does not have to understand technology or be successful in it. When people see an unsuccessful man, they do not think, “He does not understand technology because he is a man.”. Unfortunately, when it is a woman, both successes and failures can be attributed to gender.

Finally, what is your advice to young female candidates who want to work in the tech industry like you in the future?

Do not forget that women are capable of anything. Please, do not be demotivated because there are very few women in the industry. I hope that together we can increase the number of women in technology companies by collaborating and supporting each other.

Betül İnce, Development Student

“You do not need to be very good to start. You need to start from somewhere, overcome the obstacles such as fear of failure, insecurity, lack of technical knowledge, and reach the best developer version of yourself.”

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

​​As a 4th-year Computer Engineering student, I entered the work field with my internship at Segmentify in July 2021. Thereafter, I started working part-time at Segmentify as a Student Developer, while continuing studying. At the same time, I am doing an internship at Groningen University remotely in February.

What are the challenges and difficulties you’ve faced as a woman while studying your major and working in the tech industry?

Since my first work experience was at Segmentify, I did not have any difficulties as a woman because of the people I work with, apart from the technical challenges and closing the gaps in my knowledge. However, I can describe that all my managers were accommodating in teaching and welcoming. I felt like a part of the team from day one. But from what I’ve seen around and heard from the experiences of other women working in the tech industry, some people have stereotypes that women cannot be as good developers as men: In the corporate environment, while making a decision or dividing the tasks among the team members, tasks that are thought to be relatively “simple” may be given to women, they may not be given the right to speak, and they may be ignored by not being given as much responsibility as they want to undertake. I can say that my self-confidence was a little broken before I started working since I have a friend or two who have experienced this situation in other environments in the past.

What do you think about the low number of women in technology companies and the stereotypical beliefs that women do not understand technology?

I disagree with the stereotype that “women do not understand technology”. The reason for the low number of women may be that these stereotypes discourage women, lower their self-confidence, and thus prevent them from applying for a job before they feel ready. I used to think that I had to be an excellent engineer to be able to work as a developer. However, you learn the job in the field, mistakes are made, and the truth is found. I think these stereotypes should not affect women, and women should always see themselves as equals and not hesitate to apply for a job. The contribution I have made to both the company and myself with my 6-month work makes me very happy. Betül 6 months ago has nothing to do with the current Betül.

Finally, what is your advice to young female candidates who want to work in the tech industry like you in the future?

You do not need to be very good to start and progress in this field. You need to start from somewhere, overcome the obstacles such as fear of failure, insecurity, lack of technical knowledge, and reach the best developer version of yourself, or whatever you do in the technology field and at the company you work for. Then, you can become an excellent contributor. There is no better feeling than seeing that you improve, learn more, and solve problems over time.

Hande Or, CRM & Automation Student

“Do not be afraid to take risks. It may sound cliché, but it is totally true. Taking risks and being determined to improve yourself will bring success.”

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am currently studying at Bilkent University, Department of Industrial Engineering. Since November 2021, I have been an intern at the CRM & Automation Department under Technical Success & Onboarding Teams at Segmentify. I’ve done internships in different companies and departments before, but Segmentify was the first place I could call an actual “work” experience rather than an internship.

What are the challenges and difficulties you’ve faced as a woman while studying your major and working in the tech industry?

My department is much luckier than other engineering departments regarding the male/female ratio in student and instructor staff. As a woman, I had no difficulties since my first experience in the tech industry was here at Segmentify. But the thing that my friends who do internships as developers in different companies complain about the most is that they are usually the only woman on the team and that they are exposed to heavy sexist “jokes” from time to time. Because of this, I had many friends who changed departments or companies.

What do you think about the low number of women in technology companies and the stereotypical beliefs that women do not understand technology?

I strongly oppose such “women do not understand technology stereotypes” because I believe women add detail, aesthetics and success to everything they do. We are getting ready from yesterday to put endless effort into everything we do with passion. Because of social pressures and beliefs, starting the race from behind does not mean that we are running slowly.

Finally, what is your advice to young female candidates who want to work in the tech industry like you in the future?

As a newcomer to the tech industry, my biggest advantage is to start working in a place where we are separated only according to the work we do, not as a woman/man. I’ve never been asked, “How can you not do it?”. I’ve always been encouraged to learn and still am. That’s why I do not think it’s necessary to be a part of a team or company that does not have them. At the same time, although the phrase “Do not be afraid to take risks” sounds cliché, I totally agree. Before starting my internship, I had huge prejudices against programming and did not believe I could do it that well; I said, “Let me try and see.”. Now, as my 3rd month is over, I say, “I’m glad I took this step.”

Sıla Kenger, Product Designer

“We must create more positive space for each other to ensure gender equality and destroy the prejudiced mentality that women and disadvantaged groups are exposed to.”

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I have graduated from Gazi University, Department of Industrial Design, and I have been professionally working for about 3 years. I have been working at Segmentify for 7 months. I was always intertwined with technology and production due to my degree.

What are the challenges and difficulties you’ve faced as a woman while studying your major and working in the tech industry?

Especially after graduation, my first work experience was in the industrial sector, which is the centre of male dominance and where the population of women is very low. I’ve been here a lot before because of school projects, but being involved in the business was different, of course. It is really disgusting to go to the factory every morning before dawn, walk in front of the shops that have just opened their shutters, and walk uneasily, especially as a woman. In addition, the fact that only 2 female engineers worked in the factory where I worked and that I have been in R&D with other male engineers as a designer once again showed me how little the share of the female population is in both management and production. As a female designer, working with men who have a place in the industry mentally and numerically has always brought with it a struggle. The subject I was frequently exposed to and struggled with was ‘mansplaining’. Unfortunately, the low female population, especially in the tech industry, feeds the male-dominated mentality in this field.

What do you think about the low number of women in technology companies and the stereotypical beliefs that women do not understand technology?

Both from myself and my environment in this field, I see that women do much better work in production and management. They have a much more creative approach that adds real value to their work, and I am sure I will continue to see it. Therefore, I see these stereotypical statements as an aggressive expression of fear and prejudice.

Finally, what is your advice to young female candidates who want to work in the tech industry like you in the future?

We must create more positive space for each other to ensure gender equality and destroy the prejudiced mentality that women and disadvantaged groups are exposed to. I do not have an extra suggestion for my fellow future women developers who want to work in the industry. My wish is to see more colours in this field.

İlayda Daştan, Product Manager

“Anyone eager to learn and succeed can improve themselves in the technology industry. You should update yourself and always be willing to learn.”

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a final year Information Systems Engineering student and have been working at Segmentify for about 1.5 years in the Product Management team. As of December 2021, I have been working as a Product Manager. Therefore, I can say that I started my career at Segmentify and will continue as long as I gain my business life and experience. As a university student and a professional working in the tech industry, I’ve learned a lot and improved myself in every sense. And taking part in such a process motivates me greatly.

What are the challenges and difficulties you’ve faced as a woman while studying your major and working in the tech industry as a manager?

As a senior in Information Systems Engineering, most of our class consists of males. However, I have never witnessed a distinction made while studying and in the industry because of this difference. However, there was a case that surprised and upset me greatly. A female engineer I know was eliminated during the interview by a hiring company because of the thought that women could be seen as inadequate in the tech industry.

What do you think about the low number of women in technology companies and the stereotypical beliefs that women do not understand technology?

It is incredibly disappointing that such a distinction is being made in the tech industry and such thoughts are still being allowed a platform. In the end, this mindset ends up ignoring the achievements of women. We, including all my female colleagues, can manage many projects, developments and products in the tech industry and contribute to the industry significantly. We are also open to teaching and learning and constantly improving ourselves. Every woman can work in the tech industry, develop herself, establish her own company and make her mark in her field.

Finally, what is your advice to young female candidates who want to work in the tech industry like you in the future?

I would say that the most important thing is the desire to learn and succeed. Anyone who wants to learn and grow can improve themselves in the tech industry, take steps to achieve something and witness their success.