Women in WordPress: Presenting Mee Na Tamang

Think of WordPress as more than a website maker—it’s like a magic door connecting people everywhere. It helps create communities and makes people powerful around the world. And guess what? Women play a big role in this group too! #InspireInclusion

They’re not letting challenges stop them. Mee Na Tamang is one of them, and she’s making a difference. Want to learn more about her? Check out her interview to discover her story and how she helps the community.

Meet Mee Na Tamang

Mee Na Tamang is the Marketing Team Lead at Codewing Solutions, where her primary focus is on SEO strategies. She is doing good in her career path within a short time. Let’s know more!

Tell us about you, and your background first.

I was born and raised in the bustling heart of Kathmandu, Nepal. However, my family came from a small village where opportunities were limited. They always valued education, and because of their hard work and sacrifices, it paved the way for me to pursue a career beyond what I could have imagined.

Today, I proudly serve as the Marketing Team Lead at Codewing Solutions, where my primary focus is on SEO strategies. My upbringing in Kathmandu, coupled with the values instilled by my parents, has shaped my approach to life and work. I believe in the power of education, hard work, and the endless possibilities that come with embracing new opportunities.

What early career challenges you’ve faced at the beginning of your career?

At the outset of my SEO career, I encountered significant challenges, particularly due to the nascent stage of digital marketing in Nepal. During those formative years, resources and study materials were scarce, often outdated, or simply unavailable in Nepal, making it challenging to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. Compared to other countries, we were way behind, which made things even harder.

How did you manage to navigate with the WordPress ecosystem?

WordPress became my companion right from the start of my career, its popularity in my field naturally drawing me in. But my real connection started when I joined a company focused on WordPress. That’s when I discovered the global WordPress community through WordCamps.

Attending WordCamps helped me learn more, connect with professionals, and stay updated on the latest trends and tools. It’s been a rewarding and enriching journey, and I’m excited to keep exploring and contributing to this dynamic community.

Tell us about your career development and growth.

I started with baby steps. Not the most exciting way to describe it, but every journey starts somewhere. The crucial factor was staying consistent.

Initially, I started as an intern learning about SEO, which quickly blossomed into my passion. Along the way, I expanded my skills beyond SEO to encompass various aspects of digital marketing, such as content writing and email marketing.

As I continued to evolve, my interest shifted towards product marketing. While SEO continues to be a core skill, I’m eager to excel in product marketing and explore new avenues for growth and development in the future. So, yeah, I’m still learning, still exploring, and maybe still taking those baby steps sometimes.

Have you faced any gender-related/ physical challenges throughout your career? If yes, then how did you overcome those?

I’ve been lucky not to encounter any blatant gender-related challenges in my career. Maybe it’s because I often found myself surrounded by amazing female colleagues, creating a supportive environment. Though, yeah, most of my bosses were indeed men, and I’ve been on my fair share of male-led teams.

However, I know unconscious bias and systemic inequalities can still be lurking around, impacting women in ways we might not even see. That’s why I’m always learning and advocating for inclusive practices wherever I work.

How do you balance between work and life?

I strive for balance between work and life, juggling tasks, setting boundaries, and scheduling like a pro. But let’s be real, perfect 50/50? Never happening! Some weeks I’m laser-focused on crushing projects, fueled by coffee and determination. Other weeks, it’s all about catching up with loved ones, laughing until my sides ache.

The key for me is to be flexible. I make sure to dedicate time to both work and personal stuff, but it’s not always even. But hey, that’s life! As long as I’m productive at work and present for the people I care about, I’m happy.

Did you receive any mentorship and support?

Sadly, I haven’t had the chance to have a mentor by my side throughout my career. It’s been a bit of a journey on my own. There were times when I thought I’d found someone to guide me, but those connections didn’t last long.

So, I’ve become a bit of a self-learner, figuring things out as I go. Luckily, I’ve had some great friends and colleagues who’ve had my back, both in terms of knowledge and emotional support. Sometimes, they’ve even stepped up as informal mentors, giving me advice and showing me the ropes.

How do you handle criticism and build resilience?

I’ll be honest, I struggle with criticism. I’m more of an impromptu reactor, which isn’t always ideal for the workplace. However, I’ve found my own way to deal with it: by being fully prepared and taking extra precautions in my work to avoid criticism altogether.

But when I do face criticism, I try to approach it with an open mind. Instead of getting defensive, I see it as a chance to grow. I focus on extracting constructive feedback and using it to better myself.

On tough days, I lean on my support system – my friends and my partner – who provide me with the strength and motivation to keep going, no matter what challenges come my way.

Tell us about your contributions to the WordPress Community.

I’ve only recently started diving into the WordPress community. It all began in 2022 when I attended my very first WordCamp event. Since then, I’ve made it a point to join in on every WordCamp happening right here in Nepal.

So far, my main gig has been as a speaker, sharing what I know and my experiences with this awesome group of folks. But you know what? I don’t want to stop there. I’m itching to get even more involved and make a bigger impact.

I’m not exactly sure what my next move will be, but one thing’s for sure: I’m all in when it comes to supporting and adding value to our WordPress community.

How do you like to shape WordPress in the future, or see yourself with WordPress?

I dream of being part of the team that makes WordPress even better! I love this platform and want to help it grow, whether it’s through active participation in community forums, contributing to open-source projects, or sharing my knowledge and experiences with others. 

Ultimately, I see myself as a dedicated member of the WordPress community, working alongside fellow enthusiasts to make WordPress even more accessible, powerful, and innovative for users around the world.

Meet more women from WordPress

1. Katie Keith
2. Syeda Sanjida Afrin

Key takeaways from Mee Na Tamang’s interview

1. “At the outset of my SEO career, I encountered significant challenges, particularly due to the nascent stage of digital marketing in Nepal.”
2. “I’ve been lucky not to encounter any blatant gender-related challenges in my career. Maybe it’s because I often found myself surrounded by amazing female colleagues, creating a supportive environment. Though, yeah, most of my bosses were indeed men, and I’ve been on my fair share of male-led teams.”
3. “I strive for balance between work and life, juggling tasks, setting boundaries, and scheduling like a pro. But let’s be real, perfect 50/50? Never happening! Some weeks I’m laser-focused on crushing projects, fueled by coffee and determination. Other weeks, it’s all about catching up with loved ones, laughing until my sides ache.”
4. “Sadly, I haven’t had the chance to have a mentor by my side throughout my career. It’s been a bit of a journey on my own. There were times when I thought I’d found someone to guide me, but those connections didn’t last long.”
5. “I’ll be honest, I struggle with criticism. I’m more of an impromptu reactor, which isn’t always ideal for the workplace. However, I’ve found my own way to deal with it: by being fully prepared and taking extra precautions in my work to avoid criticism altogether.”