As part of our series on EWOB Women in Science, marking the 2023 International Day for Women and Girls in Science, we had the chance to interview and get advice from Zana Aston. Chair of the EWOB Women in Tech interest group but also Director of the Advisory Board of Women in Tech in Croatia, Zana is convinced that through the use of technologies we can create new opportunities for women to thrive.

So we asked her, if you could talk to your younger self, what would be …

Your number one advice to help her achieve her goals

Set your own boundaries! Imagine a beautiful garden, full of colourful plants, birds and butterflies surrounding you… Then put the fence around that garden to protect it. The fence is your boundary, don’t let anyone come in and step on your flowers!

A rolemodel she can look up to

Your role models will change through different stages of your life. Your vision of yourself will not. Imagine yourself where you want to be one day. What are the actions you need to take to get there? What is your plan? What is your strategy? If the picture is clear, your vision will become your reality!

One common belief she should ignore

‘If I can just have X, then I’ll be happy’. The more you have, the more you want! 

Driven, ambitious people very often do not live ‘in the moment’. Life, family, friends, places are like the movie scenes, and you are moving from one scene to another and before you know it, its ‘the end’ of the movie. Happiness comes from within and the abundance of love that is around you. Create you movie to be a ‘love story’, it will inspire you and others around you!

A dream she shouldn’t give up on

No matter which type of girl you are; practical, down to earth, idealist, romantic… you have hopes, wishes, aspirations. I know you like learning, progressing, achieving. No war, change of country, or becoming a parent should stop you. You can pause and pick up when the time is right!

And as Margaret Thatcher once said: ‘Watch your thoughts, for they will become actions. Watch your actions, for they’ll become… habits. Watch your habits for they will forge your character. Watch your character, for it will make your destiny.’

Discover more advice from EWOB women in science!