Riva Mendoza | Paving her path from QUT to Canva

Embarking on a new learning journey at QUT, many students find their path illuminated by unexpected experiences along the way. From studying various disciplines to seizing international opportunities, Riva Mendoza’s journey at QUT was one shaped by growth and exploration. Her rich experiences gave her so much more than a degree in Information Technology but also a transforming measure of self-confidence and a newfound zeal for a career in frontend development.

In this insightful Q&A with Riva, we delve into the profound impact of her QUT education and the subsequent trajectory of this alumnus. Her candid reflections emphasise pivotal moments in her life, including the honour of being named the Women in Digital Software Engineer of the Year. From championing accessibility in digital platforms to advocating for diversity in the workplace, her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring professionals and seasoned veterans alike. Join us as we glean from this remarkable young alumnus who continues to shape the digital landscape with her tenacious spirit and unwavering commitment to excellence.

How did your QUT degree impact your life?

My degree at QUT was a formative part of my growth as a young person. Since high school, I knew I wanted to do something in technology, but that was the only certainty I had then. I changed degrees multiple times and even deferred for a semester, but I was thankful to QUT for this flexibility. What helped me the most was the various opportunities offered outside the classroom. At QUT, I enjoyed doing a number of exchange programs where I travelled to five countries in both short and long-term exchanges. I also completed three internships and found two of them through industry connection events on campus! Throughout these experiences, I dabbled in a variety of specialties across a number of industries and it wasn’t until my last internship and final coding subject where I discovered what I truly wanted to do: frontend development.

How did winning the prestigious Women in Digital Software Engineer of the Year award impact you?

Winning Software Engineer of the Year reassured me that the success of the first few years of my career was not out of pure happenstance or luck, but rather out of the hard work and determination that I invested into becoming the person that I would’ve looked up to when I was in school. And what I would say to the aspiring developers out there is don't underestimate what you’re capable of. If you find yourself being underrepresented in the field you’ve chosen, remember that you have a unique perspective and experiences that will bring value to whatever you’re working on. In my opinion, software built by diverse minds always results in a better user experience.

As a female working in the digital space, are there any changes you would you like to see in the industry to further support and encourage gender diversity?

I have seen such great initiatives from the variety of companies that I’ve worked for, but one thing that always stands out to me is the need for more empathy and understanding of why we need diversity in the first place. I would love to see more support from those that have benefited from being in the majority, and an openness to adapt to a more inclusive space for everyone. Policies and initiatives to increase gender diversity are important, but having allies that welcome us as part of the same team is key to shifting the culture so that we won’t have to rely on these policies in the future!

Canva is a home-grown, Australian success story. What was it that attracted you to work for Canva?

I was drawn to apply for Canva for their reputation as a company that truly cares about making a difference. Canva’s two-step plan is:

1. Be the world’s most valuable company, and
2. Do the most good we can

These key values resonated with my own personal outlook on life, which is to use my skills to help improve my surroundings.

What’s been one of your favourite professional projects?

I have loved working on the accessibility issues for our collaboration features in Canva. The project mainly involved auditing features and bug fixing but I also learned so much about web accessibility standards and project management. It was a great feeling to help our customers by fixing these issues. I also took this opportunity to share my learnings with others, presenting them to our company-wide frontend forums. It was nerve-racking but also really rewarding to help upskill others and improve my communication skills.

Who is a female changemaker in the digital space who inspires you?

It might seem a little lame to glaze our Canva CEO, but Melanie Perkins is an absolute trailblazer in the digital industry. She has displayed such a delicate balance of being a force to be reckoned with and being a force for good. She has inspired me in many ways, showing that hard work can be used to fuel positive impact.

In the dynamic field of frontend development, staying updated with the latest technologies is crucial. How do you keep yourself informed about industry trends?

Canva has a very talented calibre of frontend engineers and the company’s culture of continuous learning allows us to share knowledge through company-wide engineering forums and tech talks. These engineer-led sessions are available for anyone to present and/or participate and I’ve found them to be incredibly valuable. The best part of this tradition at Canva is that I get to learn about technologies that may not be relevant to my current team/projects, but as a relatively young career engineer, I get to learn as much as I can about other fields I’m interested in and technologies I see myself working with in the future.

What’s one skill you couldn’t live without and why?

I am meticulously “Type A” through and through. I have found that my organisational skills are a lovely complement to my technical skills and, being in a fast-paced company like Canva, being prepared and well-organised has been a lifesaver on many occasions.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

My therapist taught me that every behaviour/thought/habit is a neural pathway, and that our brains have neural plasticity, allowing us to rewire our brains to create and strengthen pathways that lead to living our best life. By understanding that neural plasticity is my brain’s superpower, I believe that I have the power to improve my own wellbeing and my quality of life!

Riva graduated with a Bachelor of Information Technology (Computer Science) from QUT.
Do you have a question for Riva? You can connect with her on LinkedIn