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What do my future plans for myself even mean in the long run when the world is set up to try and stop me from pursuing them? #Spring25?

The world is not set up to see a young black woman succeed, not set up to see a woman succeed.

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Hemant’s Answer

You're right. The world has not always been fair or supportive, especially for young Black women or women pursuing careers in male-dominated spaces. That frustration, that fatigue - it's real. And it’s not just in your head. But, your plans do mean something, especially because of the obstacles, not despite them.

Every time you move forward whether that’s completing a class, learning a new skill, or applying to a job where you’re underestimated - you’re not just pushing forward your own path, you’re also reshaping the system for those who come after you.

Platforms like Pluralsight may not erase the systemic barriers, but they do offer tools to reclaim power over your own learning, growth, and narrative. When you skill up on your own terms, outside the gatekeepers, you're declaring:
"I’ll decide what success means for me and I’ll define how I get there."

Your future plans matter because they are yours.
And that’s exactly why they’re powerful even threatening to the systems that weren’t built with you in mind.

So: take up space.
Keep learning.
Keep building.
And keep dreaming loudly.

You are not alone in this.
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Ayisha’s Answer

Hi Breanna,

Your plans are important, and I encourage you to make them and work towards your goals. There will be challenges, but your determination will help you overcome them. Focus on what you can control, like pursuing your education, finding internships for experience, and volunteering. Reach out to your network or use LinkedIn to connect with people in industries you like.

Even if things don't always go as planned, having a plan gives your life purpose. I believe in your success. Good luck!
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Hongfei’s Answer

When I feel frustrated, I usually think about the women I know in life who have achieved higher than me, and then I feel encouraged. Tech is a field dominated by men. As a woman, I often find myself sitting in a meeting where I am the only woman. But luckily, I've had three direct managers in the past few years, and they are all women. Though they are often the only woman at their level as well. Still, knowing that they exist gives me strength, because their existence means it is possible for a woman to reach that level. And if I rise to that level, then we now have two women. It helps me to think that maybe my existence in the industry can help someone else be a little more hopeful, which keeps me going. My partner, who is also a woman, is pursuing a career in academia, which is also male-dominated. But she always says she'll stick with it, because academia needs more women too. Yes, the world is unfair, but let's rebel against it by continuing to march forward and becoming who we want to be despite all the resistance.
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Gaganpreet’s Answer

Don't worry about how the world is set up because you can't control that. What truly matters is who you are. You understand your strengths better than anyone else, so believe in yourself and keep moving forward.
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Neel’s Answer

Your future plans still matter, even when it feels like the world is putting extra barriers in your way. As a young Black woman, there may be times when people underestimate you or make you feel like certain spaces weren’t made for you, but don’t let that make you shrink your goals.

Michelle Obama has spoken about experiencing people who told her she wasn’t smart enough to go to college or law school, and she encourages young women to recognize their own intelligence, strength, and capability. That’s something I would always keep in mind: you belong in the room. Your voice and perspective deserve to be heard.

Focus on what you can control—build your skills, find good mentors, surround yourself with people who believe in you, ask questions, and keep going after opportunities even when you’re nervous. You don’t have to have your entire future figured out right now. Your plans can change as you grow, but never let someone else decide what you’re capable of.
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