We were lucky to catch up with Anais Wittrock-Roske recently and have shared our conversation below.
Anais, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
You cannot be, what you cannot see.
This quote has been my inspiration for when I am rooms dominated by individuals who do not look like me. Bringing a different perspective when I have a seat at the table has been really rewarding for me as it allows other young professionals, especially women, know that they belong in these spaces too.
It’s not always easy, especially in fields such as medicine and tech which are still heavily dominated by men. However, the more opportunities I have to lead in such fields, the more hopeful I feel that our upcoming leaders and workforce looks/leads a lot different than it does now.
What I have found that helps me be successful is to make it less about me, and more about the people I can help. I strive to be the voice of individuals who may not be in the rooms that I am, and bring others to the finish line with me.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I make beautiful interfaces and user experiences. But beyond that, I like to call myself a public servant.
My 9-5 work is helping members get behavioral health care by creating interfaces such as websites and digital experiences. It is a true honor to help people in this way.
In addition, I take on clients and help them with their product journey. My specialty is mobile first design, and I have 3 apps in the App Store that are created by me.
Design is a way of life for me. When I am not creating digital experiences, I like to design living spaces and paint (hint hint – the paintings in the images are mine).
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The best skill that someone can have is adopting a life-long learner mentality. Tech moves really fast, and the most successful designers are willing to learn new ways of working and jumping into the desires and needs of the users.
In addition: innovate, innovate, innovate! Just because things have been done a certain way, this doesn’t mean we have to conform to these patterns. I would urge anyone going into the creative space to push the boundaries of conventional thinking – this is where the magic lives. It is always impossible until it is done.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I am very intentional about who I spend my time with and invite into my life. We are the average of the friends and people we keep around us, so the people that I surround myself with have to reflect what type of human I want to become.
Mentors, friends, and even family – they are all go-getters and help me when I have a challenge I want to overcome.
Remember, people who are successful will never tell you that you cannot do something. These people have done it and know that it is possible. So when I need help, I ask someone who has succeeded in the area I am struggling with.
Contact Info:
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anaisvwr/
