Brenda Romero

Brenda Romero - Stay! Surviving and Thriving in Tech

Tech was a haven for "weirdo" kids. Brenda Romero explains why leaving can feel like abandoning home, and shares her personal guide to staying.

Brenda Romero - Stay! Surviving and Thriving in Tech
#1about 6 minutes

The paradox of burnout despite a lifelong passion

Despite a 43-year career driven by a deep passion for making games, severe burnout can manifest as a cognitive inability to work and a loss of joy.

#2about 5 minutes

Navigating layoffs, crunch, and industry harassment

The tech industry is facing unprecedented layoffs, crunch culture, and severe online harassment, particularly targeting marginalized groups for their work.

#3about 3 minutes

Understanding the high attrition rates in tech

The average tech career is short due to layoffs and burnout, with marginalized groups leaving at higher rates because of bias and pay disparities.

#4about 7 minutes

How tech provides a home for outsiders and nerds

Many people in tech felt like outsiders growing up, finding a sense of belonging and control in predictable systems like code and Dungeons & Dragons.

#5about 3 minutes

Adopting sustainable practices for long-term career growth

Avoid burnout by pacing your learning, seeking new growth opportunities, and taking necessary breaks to protect your mental health above all else.

#6about 2 minutes

Fostering a resilient and psychologically safe team

Protect your team by vetting hires for toxicity, modeling vulnerability, and establishing a culture of complaining up rather than down.

#7about 2 minutes

Setting boundaries and knowing when to leave a job

To thrive long-term, you must set firm boundaries, refuse to tolerate toxic environments, and have the wisdom to leave situations you cannot change.

Related jobs
Jobs that call for the skills explored in this talk.

Featured Partners

From learning to earning

Jobs that call for the skills explored in this talk.