Tell us about your journey in tech. How did you get started, and what motivated you to pursue a career in tech?
Lets go back to the early 2000’s. I was at school and that is when I first dipped my toes into IT, choosing it as a GCSE. At first, it was merely an interest—something I was good at and enjoyed, but not necessarily something I saw as my future career. In fact, up until my late teens, I had my sights set on an entirely different path: teaching. But as life would have it, my interests evolved, and so did my aspirations.
It was during my time in college my goals changed. My IT Tutor showed me a video showcasing a degree called IT Management for Business. Unlike traditional IT courses, this program offered a unique blend of technology and real-world application in business settings. The promise of hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and exposure to blue-chip companies captured my imagination instantly. Suddenly, the prospect of a career in IT, particularly in roles like project management, felt like a natural fit for me.
Looking back, I realise that the seeds of tech were always sown in my life. My grandad, an avid reader of Computer Weekly, was a tech enthusiast ahead of his time. My uncle’s love for gadgets and gizmos eventually led him into a senior tech role. And then there’s my dad, a seasoned IT professional and amazing role model who climbed the ranks to become a Senior IT Director for a Global company.
After completing my degree – I immediately wanted to begin my career in IT and landed my first IT role a month after graduating.
Share a pivotal moment or project that contributed to your success in the tech industry?
In 2019, I got the opportunity to work on the largest project at that point in my career, as the Lead Architect. This was a multi-million-pound project to implement the groundbreaking technology of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) across the whole retail business.
I was trusted to lead this and used it as an opportunity to prove my capabilities whilst also developing my soft skills, network and confidence. It was a sink or swim moment (although I had great support around me) and thankfully I swam and flourished in the role. I used it as an opportunity to also implement new architecture processes and templates and the ones I created are still used as exemplars.
I received fantastic recognition for this project which quickly led onto a promotion, being nominated for several industry awards and the project itself won an award. The skills, confidence and reputation I gained at this point was the foundation for all my future successes.
Have you had any mentors who significantly influenced your career? How did they support your growth?
Yes and I think mentors are important. This could be a formal mentor through a scheme or regular sessions. Or a role model or cheerleader. I’ve had a combination, the most notable being my line manager, who has always been my biggest champion and has supported my development and aspirations. Whilst a line manager shouldn’t typically be your mentor as well, he took my under his wing and helped shape my career. He is a great role model, has given me constructive feedback throughout my career and has supported my growth by putting me forward for opportunities and letting me shape or drive my own development. He’s always in my corner!
I’ve also had a more formal mentor who I’ve worked closely with in the past and who I can be candid with. He has helped shape my development plan and gives me advice on how to reach my overall ambitions. He is never afraid to say my name in a room full of people – to either give me credit, suggest me for an opportunity or to introduce me to a network of people.
And I also have several role models, some I work closely with and some I watch from afar. These are all people I can learn from in any way – technical knowledge or soft skills and who inspire me.
How do you actively network within the tech community? Any tips for others seeking to build meaningful professional relationships?
To summarise – I ultise LinkedIn, attend events, build my contacts and I’m conscious of my personal brand.
LinkedIn is a great resource. Make yourself a really strong profile to get started, this should be a digital CV. Follow inspirational people or pages, such as Tech Communities, like Elevate – Women in Tech, InnovateHer and The Female Lead, as well as any companies or topics you’re interested in. You’ll then start to see great content on your feed and have the opportunity to interact with it and often they’ll post events which you can sign up to. You’ll soon start to meet people and network and gradually build relationships.
You can also get more actively involved in the community by becoming a Mentee on a mentoring scheme (such as the ones Elevate -Women in Tech or Digital Her run) or seeking out events in your local area. I became a BCS Member to help me find local events, groups and get a mentor.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a woman in tech, and how did you overcome them?
When working with new people, such as on a project and usually with third parties I find myself often having to justify my role and experience, needing to prove myself and earn respect versus my male counterparts who get immediate respect. This used to bother me a lot, however my male allies have been brilliant in speaking up for me in these kinds of situations and I’ve also learnt to be less modest in my introductions. Just because I am a woman and I’m younger than my middle-aged colleagues does not mean I do not have experience or I’m not senior. So I open with this to avoid any doubt.
Assumptions get made a lot too – based off appearance usually. Usually third parties again, assuming I am from the business (not IT) or have a non-technical role. Or assuming that I work for the man in the room rather than vice versa… Now I make sure I introduce myself well, speak up and make my roles and responsibilities clear – to avoid them making incorrect assumptions! And finally, not being heard or being dismissed. I have a range of examples of this, again from various third parties / contractors who ignore things I have said (but then listen when my male counterparts tell them the same thing) or talk over me / dismiss what I have to say (once I was even told I didn’t understand what I was talking about!) Luckily, I work in an amazing team and have a range of people that notice this on my behalf and speak up / escalate it without me even needing to mention it! My male allies / counterparts really are the best and whilst I have had the experiences I’ve mentioned above, I’m fortunate that all my internal colleagues / team respect me fully and I have never had any negative experiences as a woman from them in all my career.
As a woman in tech, what changes or improvements would you like to see in the industry?
Firstly – more famous female role models in Tech. Google it – the first name that comes up is Ada Lovelace. A great inspiration being the first programmer, however she is from the 1800’s and we’re now in 2024! In fact, on a list of 10 Famous Women in Tech, 6 of them are no longer living. And other than Lovelace (from the 1800’s), they’re all recognised for achievements in the 1960’s – 1980’s…. Can we really not name a modern famous female in tech? I want to see the female equivalent of Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerburg, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos or Tim Cook!
“Can we really not name a modern famous female in tech? I want to see the female equivalent of Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerburg, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos or Tim Cook!”
And secondly, less of the stereotypes and more diverse and realistic representations of women in Tech. Great we’re finally seeing TV series and films include people who work in IT as characters… but chances are they’re male and if they aren’t it is usually a woman who is stereotypically ‘geeky’, wearing glasses, is quiet and always working in the equivalent of a basement or dark room. That isn’t representative!
How can companies and leaders foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in tech?
Champion diversity – help get more women and diversity into tech by attracting them, interviewing them, hiring them and promoting them. Backed up by diversity training for all, so the importance of it is understood and everyone knows the part they play.
Consider inclusion more. Many tech roles are not offered part time (which is more often an option women consider), events are still male oriented and dominated (such as golfing events) and women in teams still get treated as Admin / PA’s unconsciously – such as being the organisers of things like team lunches, team building events, meeting agendas, typing up notes and organising collections for birthdays etc. Women – we need to get better at pushing back and calling this out whilst the companies need to call this out and make it more fair and inclusive.
Have representation – I want to see female leaders, female techies and females at all levels in-between! Seeing somebody you relate to or that is like you help make more women realise they can do that too!
Ensure men are allies and know the role they play. Often, companies think that diversity, inclusion and attracting and retaining more women in Tech is a battle for women rather than for all.
And have processes in place for when things don’t go so well. Who can your women colleagues speak to, raise concerns to or report instances to?
What strategies have you used to set clear career goals and create a roadmap for your professional development?
Back in the early days of my career, think fresh graduate, it was all about having a detailed and solid personal development plan. I’d review and update it regularly, going through it with my line manager and the Talent Team. This helped me pinpoint areas of improvement or plug gaps in my knowledge, such as getting better at presenting or improving my confidence. Goals or objectives would be set based on feedback from others or my own awareness and I’d often have an overarching long term goal such as a promotion or to work on larger projects. I used Power Point – but any tool is fine, don’t get too bogged down on how you capture it, the main thing is to capture it!
As I climbed the career ladder a little more, such a detailed plan became less practical. Instead I utilised Microsoft Whiteboard and made a mind map – capturing everything I wanted to achieve in the next 3 years, such as key projects I wanted to lead or becoming a mentor. I reviewed this each quarter to make sure I was ticking at least one thing off that period and also shared this with my mentor to get their advice on this too.
Nowadays, I’ve streamlined my approach even further and use Microsoft One Note and bullet point! I realised that at this stage in my career, I need to start focusing on the bigger picture. So I worked backwards – where do I want to be at the end of my career and therefore what groundwork and steps do I need to put in now to get there. Everything from inspiring the next generation, speaking at events and the qualifications / training I want to go after is mapped out.
What are your top 3 pieces of advice for women striving to succeed in the tech industry?
