Hello Tech Ranchers! My name is Elizabeth Teare and since September I have had the opportunity to be apart of the Tech Ranch® team and community. I am a full time student at the University of Texas, studying International Relations and Global Studies, with minors in French and Middle Eastern Studies. On top of that I am in the process of creating my own major with the UT Humanities Program focusing on cultural and creative diplomacy. I have always been intrigued with the power of literature and rhetoric in political issues and peace making processes. The power of empathy and the importance of accepting others and understanding why people do what they do is something I hope to share with the world!
Working at Tech Ranch® has opened my horizon in so many ways; I can’t believe how lucky I am to have the opportunity to work here. Before my time here I had no idea the power
of entrepreneurship has in improving the lives of human beings around the world and how economic communities can build bridges of peace. I’m now actually looking to research how entrepreneurship can improve the lives of women by giving them economic and social power in areas of conflict for my International Relations capstone thesis. Tech Ranch’s focus on community and “cross-collaboration between borders” is something that I believe is so evident in their work. I love that I am apart of a team that has a focus on improving the world and their community here in Austin.
Everyone here at Tech Ranch® has been so incredibly welcoming and I’m happy to say that I am kept busy! A good chunk of my work is research based, primarily research focused on expanding Tech Ranch’s work. I love that Tech Ranch® is international and that the co-working space is often teeming with people from all over the world. I can say without a doubt that one of my favorite things about working at Tech Ranch® is the people! I have meet a plethora of interesting people, and listening to their stories and ideas is priceless, and the passion contagious. One of my favorite Tech Ranch® events that I attended was the Global Meet Up with the group of entrepreneurs from Montpellier, France. It was awesome to meet entrepreneurs from France (and practice my French a little!), but the best part was listening to their pitches. I had never been to a pitch event before and seeing their ideas for technological advances and services was wonderfully eye opening.
When I’m not in class, working or studying I try to go to as many cultural events and talks as I can! I love learning new things, listening to new stories and experiencing as much as I can. UT always has new talks and presentations while Austin is a great multicultural city with something going on all the time. For myself, I read and write as much as I can, and have always been a ravenous reader, which is probably why I believe so strongly in the power of words for attaining cultural peace! I am incredibly passionate about being a voice for women’s equality and rights around the world. I’m involved with groups at UT like Women in Foreign Affairs and Girl Advocates. Next semester I am going to be a running coach for Girls on the Run, an organization focused on helping young girls build a positive body image, self-confidence and increase solidarity with each other.
I can’t wait to see what the rest of my time here at Tech Ranch® has in store! I have learned so much so far and I know I will only continue to learn more about the entrepreneurship world and the good that Tech Ranch® is doing.