Meet Beck Priebe

How did you learn about PDXWIT and what keeps you coming back?

I’m not sure how I first learned about PDXWIT, but I believe it was from a satellite event put on in Vancouver, organized by Camilla Morrison. 

Can you give us some background on your career in tech? Did you intend this career path? 

I have always been enamored with gadgets. When I was in school I was a member of the AV Club as well as a library assistant in the computer lab. 

I attended design school for post-secondary education, started out in graphic design and then taught myself the basics of web development, which is really how I got started in tech. 

From there it has been an adventure in exploration — I am drawn to emerging technologies and innovation. 

What’s the scariest, most overwhelming thing about a project you are working on now? 

I am currently writing a book. It started off about women in tech and has evolved to be more broadly focused on all humans — it’s currently called Humans: A User Manual. 

It is very scary for me; while I am good at helping others achieve what is necessary for their technology and business goals, sometimes I’m not so good at doing it for myself. Writing from my own personal experiences as a woman and as a human has been an interesting process. I worry about what I communicate in my writing and hope that it leads to an improved future. 

I have learned a lot in my career, overcome a lot of obstacles and also made a lot of mistakes. I hope what I have learned can help other humans grow and create a desired future for us all. 

Thinking about advice, mentorship and advocating for ourselves, what is something you do or have done to help yourself prioritize your goals?

Baby steps. Have you ever seen the 1991 film What about Bob? starring Bill Murray? He has the secret to life. :)