WIE Interview

Phase1: Introduce yourself
My name is Yousra Magouri, born and raised in the border city of Bengardene. I Earned my bachelor in Computer Science in 2007 and specialized in CRM and digital marketing technologies after moving to the US in 2008.
I held different roles at large organizations such as Microsoft, eBay, Expedia. and at the moment I am an Associate Principal Technologies Architect at Salesforce. I’m also the founder of Open minds project. A nonprofit organization that gives access to bestselling books, e-learning, and career assistance to young adults in Tunisia.

I founded the initiative as a way to help them unlock career opportunities and facilitate connections amongst the next generation of professionals in the country.

My passion for giving back, connecting with women in technology, and my belief that we all need to lift each other up has led me to serve as a mentor for emerging female professionals through several organizations.

I currently live in Austin, Texas with my husband and 2 kids, they definitely keep us busy

Phase2: Childhood

• Your childhood ambitions?

When I was a kid we didn’t have much, I had so many ambitions and dreams, things like flying in an airplane, having a two-story home or buy my own car.
I was so curious and always excited about learning. I loved languages and math and I was good at math and one point I wanted to be a math teacher when I grow up.

• When you were young, did you notice a difference in treating boys and girls? How did that affect you?

Growing up the disadvantages that girls faced was a settled fact that everyone is aware of but rarely anyone challenged.
There are a set of expectations for girls and totally different ones for boys. things like house chores and career choices.

But I didn’t let that fact affect me in any way. I was always focused on getting excellent grades and seeing my success empowered me.

• Since you’ve been writing about parenting, what’s your advice for fresh parents to raise girls with ambitions and perseverance?

I am a big believer in the importance of a growth mindset in early childhood. That is allowing them to embrace failure and learn from it.
The growth mindset teaches children that they can achieve difficult things, how to persevere when things get tough and It is important to keep the focus on the progress rather than the immediate result.

When it comes to raising girls, it is very important to build their confidence by listening to their opinions, allow them to disagree and have a voice. Also, parents should encourage their daughters to take physical challenges.

My daughter Yasmine for example is taking Gymnastics, Ninja Warrior and Parkour classes and we saw how confident she became in a such short period of time.

We always tell her that we believe in her and that anything she wants to achieve she can as long as she is willing to make the effort.



Phase3: University+College

• When did you start thinking about your future career? Did the fact of being a girl affect this choice?

After graduating and moving to the US I was very excited to explore and learn about the culture, the language, and of course the career opportunities.

I didn’t have any connections at the time But I remember always having a positive attitude and belief that I am going to make it and that it is just a matter of time.

I tried freelance work for a while and after a few unsuccessful interviews I landed a job at eBay as a Developer

Phase4: Work+marriage

• First, how are you conciliating work and family?

There is no doubt that being a working mom is difficult. To me, It is possible to pursue a fulfilling full-time career while taking an active role as a mother, if you learn to find a balance that works for your life.

• Does the choice of your partner have an influence on your career?

It is important to be in a positive relationship. My husband is very supportive and believes in my professional goals and pushes me to accomplish them. We always discuss each other’s priorities and adjust our lifestyle accordingly.

• How do you navigate challenges at work?

Being present in my kid's life is so important to me and at times it was hard to keep the professional growth momentum. Especially in a male-dominated industry and a very fast pace environment.

I struggled mostly to promote my work. I used to believe that my work would speak for itself, my accomplishments will get noticed and I will get the recognition I deserve.

Unfortunately, that is not how it works. You need to accept the fact that it is your responsibility to continuously highlight your success.


What is your advice for young girls aspiring to enter the tech field, fresh mamas, or new workers?

To all girls No matter what field you choose :

• Don’t be intimidated, you may think you don’t have the knowledge to be competitive. The truth what matters most is being curious and always willing to learn and adapt
• Surround yourself with positive and ambitious people who would push forward.
• Be aggressive, build your brand, and know that success has no gender