Women are stringently socialized to be modest, far more so than men, particularly in domains that are seen as "men's work". So your starting assumption isn't ve

Women are stringently socialized to be modest, far more so than men, particularly in domains that are seen as "men's work". So your starting assumption isn't very safe. And while "work harder and learn more" is good advice, it's generic advice! Everyone should be doing that, all the time. Even if you're at the top of your CS class; you won't stay there if you rest on your laurels. Finally, there's no reason to think that she used her gender as a crutch. It's very easy for anyone to feel that they're getting special treatment when they get their first professional job. Breaking into a field, any field, frequently requires pulling strings, taking advantage of connections, or just plain good luck. I know I certainly did when I got my first programming job. When that happened, my peers congratulated me and expressed confidence that I would quickly prove to my employer that they were right to hire me. Not one person speculated to my face that I probably got the job just because I was an upper-middle-class white male. Even though they would have been FAR more justified making that (obnoxious and unfounded) assumption than the one described in this article.