Krissie VandeNoord’s advice for girls interested in pursuing tech? “Don’t be afraid to do hard things; they are always worth it.”

Krissie, who graduated from Shawnee Mission South High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Hannibal LaGrange, finds her skills in tech allow her to make a difference in the world.

“I find myself doing a lot of work for non-profits and it’s a great fit for me,” Krissie says. “I love solving their problems by using tech in ways they didn’t think possible.”

Her experience in the tech world began shortly after college, when she began working as a designer.

“Design led me into web and digital design and it wasn’t long before I knew I wanted to know how to build a website and make something look and work how I envisioned.”

Krissie wants girls to know that some of the common perceptions about working in the field have not been true in her experience.

“You hear that working in a field that is predominantly male won’t be fun, or could be awkward,” she says. “I haven’t found that to be true. I’ve been championed and encouraged by male peers and I thoroughly enjoy what I do every day.”

Krissie’s family, including her husband and two young children, keep her busy but she continues to find ways to give back.

“I love making a difference in the world beyond myself,” she says. “Having a higher purpose and participating in service events with my church and a community of people challenges me to always be bettering myself.”

If you’re a girl thinking about tech, Krissie says: “Go for it! You can accomplish anything that you want to, and will have so many options in front of you for pursuing this path.