Breaking into tech is hard — staying and growing can be even harder, especially for women, LGBTQIA+ people, and professionals with disabilities. This talk is a practical survival guide built from 15 years of real-world experience across Brazil, Europe, and the U.S. It combines lived experience with actionable strategies: navigating job searches, overcoming biased selection processes, handling impostor syndrome, knowing when to leave toxic environments, and building sustainable careers. More than personal stories, this session provides tools, reflection, and encouragement to help participants from underrepresented groups claim space, grow, and thrive in an industry that still needs deep cultural change. Allies will also leave with insights to support inclusion and equity in their own communities and workplaces.