Pratima Sharma is a WordPress enthusiast, currently working as a Web Developer for Goreto Software in Pokhara. She wishes to be an inspiration and fill the pipeline with more talented young women. Her inevitable path of self-discovery and creativity led her to WordPress and has been rocking it so far. At WordCamp Kathmandu 2018, she talked about why we should be blogging even though we are killing our time on social platforms as Instagram and Snapchat. We got to talk with her right the same day.
How and when did you get started with WordPress?
I first started working in my friend’s company around 3 years back. The company was already working with WordPress back then. And that is how I came to know about WordPress. The very first thing I learned after joining the company was how to build websites and I’ve been working with WordPress ever since.
What do you like most about WordCamps?
To be truthful, this is my very first WordCamp experience even though I’ve attended and even spoken at few local WordPress meetups in Pokhara. However, even though this is my very first WordCamp, I am very happy to see so many people from different fields and companies attending WordCamp Kathmandu 2018. I think this a great way to socialize and also build a connection.
What do you hope attendees will take away from your talk today?
My topic is about blogging—“You should blog (Even if you’re killing it on Instagram and Snapchat)”. I hope attendees will start their first blog or give continuity to their blogs if they’re already into the blogging platform.
Are there any challenges you faced that you’d like to share with us? How did you overcome them?
I haven’t faced any challenges up to now but back in Pokhara, the WordPress community is still growing and is quite small. If we could somehow grow our WordPress community in Pokhara, it would be easier for us to discuss and share our ideas and problems. I think this will be a challenge not only for me but all the members to grow our circle.
How have you been contributing or giving back to the community?
I have attended and spoken at many local meetups. I also help my friends to learn more about WordPress who are not familiar with the platform.
Have you ever felt like you’ve had to prove yourself more than men who also work with WordPress?
I haven’t faced that type of scenario till now. Things are changing because not only in IT but, there are many females participating in every field nowadays. I am the only female working at our company currently and it would be really nice if there were other females joining our company.
What advice would you give to the women who are only joining the WordPress community?
To the females who are just joining the WordPress community, you have limitless opportunities; there are so many things that you can do with WordPress. It is never too late to start learning something new. Find your niche, do what feels right!
What do you think about female participation in WordPress?
I feel really happy seeing so many females who are actively involved in the community. I hadn’t seen many females participating in any WordPress related activities before I came here. This is something we get to see less in the community of Pokhara.
How do you stay updated on WordPress?
I follow WordPress.org. I look for new releases in WordPress and news that comes online. I also have subscribed to many WordPress related websites.
What can we find you doing when you’re not WordPressing?
I love to read and write. When I’m not working, I’m usually reading new novels or writing something.
What advice would you give to a new WordPress user?
For the beginners in WordPress, there are so many things to do and achieve through WordPress. So keep on looking forward, good things are coming down the road.
You can get in touch with Pratima Sharma and learn new things through her Facebook or Twitter.