Building a successful, enduring career in the rapidly evolving technology sector often requires more than just technical acumen; it demands taking calculated chances, trusting one’s instincts, and cultivating the confidence to make a distinct voice heard in crowded rooms. For many professionals navigating this dynamic industry, having supportive figures along the way who encourage personal and professional growth—while constantly reminding them of their inherent capabilities—proves to be an invaluable asset.
In this month’s Precisely Women in Technology (PWIT) feature, the spotlight falls on Haleigh Dhaou, Senior Public Relations Manager. Over an impressive span of 11 years, Dhaou has systematically built a robust and multifaceted career within the technology industry, offering deep insights into the triumphs, hurdles, and foundational philosophies that have shaped her professional journey.
Why Pursue a Career in Technology?
For Dhaou, entering the technology sector was not the result of a lifelong, rigidly mapped-out master plan. Instead, it happened somewhat organically, serving as an ideal and dynamic jumping-off point for a burgeoning career in communications.
Her journey began at a specialized public relations agency that focused heavily on both technology and financial services clients. Shortly after stepping into the agency environment, she was hired on a full-time basis, immersing herself completely in the fast-paced ecosystem of tech innovation. She has remained firmly rooted in the technology space ever since.
When reflecting on what has kept her engaged in the sector for over a decade, Dhaou points directly to the real-world applicability of technology. Unlike industries that deal solely in abstract concepts or distant theories, technology shapes the tangible tools, platforms, and solutions that people utilize in their everyday lives, making the communication of these advancements both exciting and profoundly impactful.
The Power of Intentional Mentorship
Behind every accomplished professional is often a guiding figure who fundamentally altered their trajectory. When asked about her greatest professional mentor, Dhaou points to a former boss who guided her during a critical juncture in her career: the transition from an entry-level position to a more seasoned, autonomous role.
What made this mentorship so remarkably impactful was the mentor’s unwavering commitment to intentional growth. Rather than simply handing down directives or providing ready-made solutions to complex problems, the mentor fostered an environment of active critical thinking. When faced with high-stakes scenarios, the mentor would consistently prompt Dhaou to analyze the situation independently, asking how she personally would navigate the challenges at hand.
Only after Dhaou shared her strategic thinking would the mentor offer constructive feedback, validating her approach or suggesting alternative angles. This iterative, collaborative process taught Dhaou lessons far more valuable than simply receiving direct answers ever could. It fundamentally built her professional confidence, sharpened her intuitive instincts, and provided the inner comfort necessary to show up not just as an executor of tasks, but as a trusted advisor in her own right. Through this experience, she learned that having a distinct point of view—even an imperfect or evolving one—is precisely where professional growth begins. It remains a guiding principle that she carries with her to this day.
The Calculated Risk That Shaped a Career
Major career milestones are rarely achieved by staying safely within one’s comfort zone. For Dhaou, the single biggest risk she took in her professional life occurred at the very beginning, revolving around a pivotal decision regarding her first internship.
She had initially accepted a full-time position managing social media for a smaller wealth management firm. However, on the exact day she was scheduled to officially sign her offer letter, she received an unexpected phone call from the technology-focused PR agency offering her an internship.
Recognizing her long-term career aspirations, Dhaou intuitively knew that the agency internship, despite its temporary nature and lack of immediate security, would serve as a much faster and more effective vehicle to get her where she ultimately wanted to go. Stepping away from a secure, full-time position complete with full benefits to take on an out-of-state internship is a leap few would dare to make. Yet, it proved to be a high-stakes gamble that yielded a major career reward, validating her instinct to prioritize long-term trajectory over short-term comfort.
Navigating Industry Challenges and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Like many women navigating the male-dominated technology landscape, Dhaou encountered distinct hurdles during the earlier chapters of her career. The most persistent challenge was simply feeling a sense of true belonging—believing that she genuinely had a secure seat at the table and the requisite space to voice her innovative ideas without hesitation.
In the beginning, this manifested as a habitual need for validation. More often than not, before bringing a fresh concept to a larger stakeholder group, Dhaou would route the idea past her manager first to seek input and ensure her thinking wasn’t too far off base.
Over time, however, the very process of engaging in these dialogues instilled within her the internal confidence needed to pivot. She learned to speak up more directly, experiment with bold new approaches, and bring raw ideas straight into the room without requiring a preliminary validation step.
This evolution directly informs the advice she offers to younger women entering the technology sector today. Dhaou strongly cautions against letting imposter syndrome enforce silence. She observes that countless brilliant women in tech are frequently the smartest individuals in the room, yet they continue to second-guess whether their insights are truly worth sharing. They most certainly are. According to Dhaou, the willingness to ask probing questions, challenge the status quo, and occasionally be wrong is precisely what separates good technologists from great ones.
Embracing a Mindset of Advocacy and Continuous Learning
When asked about the single best piece of advice she has ever received, Dhaou points to a deceptively simple yet powerful adage: "The worst they can say is no."
This philosophy has left an indelible mark on both her personal and professional life. If an individual fails to ask for what they want, the answer is already a definitive no. But by simply having the courage to ask, the door remains open to a potential yes. That fundamental mindset shift has continuously pushed Dhaou to actively advocate for herself, embrace calculated chances, and pursue ambitious goals that she might have otherwise talked herself out of.
Furthermore, she emphasizes the critical importance of building a supportive ecosystem. Whether through a dedicated mentor, a sponsor, or a broader community of fellow women in technology—or an intersection of all three—having allies is essential. While the industry continues to evolve and make strides toward inclusivity, having someone in one’s corner who recognizes potential and actively advocates on one’s behalf remains an immense advantage. Dhaou encourages rising professionals to seek out these relationships intentionally and, crucially, to turn around and be that exact source of support for someone else once they advance in their own careers.
True to this ethos of paying it forward, Dhaou actively invests her time in knowledge sharing and mentorship. As a certified Mentor Collective mentor, she has worked extensively with college students from her alma mater. Even when specific industry niches do not align perfectly, she believes there is profound, tangible value in connecting with students, easing their anxieties, and helping them strategically prepare for life after graduation. If her guidance can help even one person navigate that high-pressure transitional phase with heightened self-assurance, she views it as paying it forward in the most meaningful way possible.
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