Tech Ladies Digest - Week of 6/29

Have an L&D Budget? Here’s Your Reminder to Use It

Hey ,

If you’re fortunate enough to have a Learning & Development (L&D) stipend or professional development budget at work, consider this your gentle nudge: don’t let it go unused this year.

Many companies offer annual L&D funds as part of their benefits package, often ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. But here’s the catch - these budgets are often “use it or lose it.” And unfortunately, a lot of women in tech leave that money on the table.

So… what can you actually use your L&D budget for?
Conferences and industry events (👋 hello ICON 2025)
Online courses and certifications
Leadership or technical workshops
Career coaching
Books or resources related to your role

The point isn’t just to check a box, but to actively invest in your growth. Whether you want to build new skills, expand your network, or simply get re-energized about your career, using your L&D budget is one of the easiest ways to say “yes” to your own development.

And if you’ve been thinking about joining us at ICON this October in NYC, this is the perfect time to check if your company will cover your ticket. Many employers are happy to support conference attendance, especially when it focuses on leadership development, networking, and industry trends (aka exactly what ICON offers). We even have a one-pager on the ICON landing page to help you make your case!

So here’s your friendly reminder: take advantage of what’s available to you. Advocate for yourself. Your growth is worth the investment.

⭐ ICON SPOTLIGHT ⭐

ICYMI - here’s the lineup of speakers that dropped in our first round of announcements. We are so excited to hear from each of these women. Each week, we’ll be sharing snippets from them to build your excitement to hear from them as well in October in NYC.

📰 IN RECENT TECH NEWS

  • Cybersecurity Skills in Demand: A Talker Research survey indicates that 64% of U.S. tech executives view cyberattacks as the greatest business threat over the next decade, leading 53% to prioritize cybersecurity skills in hiring, especially at the entry level.

  • AI Driving New Tech Hiring: A Deloitte survey reveals that 69% of tech leaders plan to expand their teams due to the integration of generative AI, emphasizing the need for both technical expertise and soft skills like emotional intelligence and critical thinking.

🎇 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

👭 BECOME A PRO MEMBER

We’re excited to make Tech Ladies Pro Membership more accessible than ever at just $25/month or $250/year, giving members two months free when they opt for an annual plan. This change means big savings for many of our existing members while ensuring that more women can access the career-boosting opportunities Tech Ladies has to offer. Join us today and be part of something bigger.

📚 LEARN A NEW SKILL

Check out our partnership with Springboard offering Tech Ladies members a discount on both their career bootcamps and AI course. Check out their career bootcamps and AI course!

🔬 DISCOVER NEW INSIGHTS

We’re committed to providing our community with the insights they need to succeed in their careers - check out our resources page to read insights on compensation, work-life balance and much more to accelerate your career with data!

🎉FIND YOUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY

Join the Talent Network to connect with incredible companies committed to hiring diverse talent and check out the Job Board for the most recent job postings!

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