To celebrate International Women's Day, we asked some of our female colleagues for their opinions, insights and tips for women either currently working in or looking for their first role in the tech industry.

Whilst Fraja, Jess, Alice and Daisie-Marie all work in ‘tech’ their roles differ quite vastly.

Whilst Fraja, Jess, Alice and Daisies' roles all vary in terms of day-to-day responsibilities, they all shared similar journeys of developing in a historically male-dominated industry. We caught up with them to find out their advice for women in tech. 

So, let’s jump straight in. What is your top tip for women looking to start a career in Tech? 

Fraja: Don’t be dissuaded or deterred because you’re not technical; there is more to the tech industry than developers and engineers. Whether that’s your end goal or not, like all industries, a balance of roles and skills is required for a business to be successful. So take the plunge! As women, we are notorious for not recognising or celebrating our achievements, and so when it comes to starting a new career, particularly in a male-dominated industry, we struggle to see past the skills we don’t have. A lot of skills are transferable, so focus on what you can bring to the table and why you’re passionate about a career in Tech. The tech can be taught, but certain skills and attitudes can’t, and that’s what businesses are looking for. 

Jess: Be vocal. Take every opportunity. 

You don’t need to write code or understand how mail is routed to begin a career in Tech. All businesses need a wide range of people with diverse skills in order to succeed. Technology is ever-changing, with new things to learn all the time, making it such an exciting industry to be a part of. I started at my current company as an Office Manager, responsible for administrative duties until a position in Project Management became available. An opportunity I couldn’t miss. Despite not having a ‘technical’ background, I demonstrated my enthusiasm and willingness to learn, spoke up about why I felt I could succeed in the role and began my journey in Project Management. I was often afraid of not knowing all the answers, but as I learned more about the technology I was working with, my confidence grew, and I continued to ask more questions, share more of my ideas and suggest alternatives when the opportunity presented itself. I have found that speaking up in this manner often encourages wider discussions and results in more robust solutions and also allows me to consider other view points and expand my knowledge. There’s always someone else in the room thinking the same questions or someone who may have a slightly different interpretation. Through navigating the industry, refining my skills and simply asking questions, I have built the technical knowledge to enable me to progress and succeed in all my roles. 

DMT: On reflection of my personal journey, my top tip is to not give up in the first face of hardship. Perseverance and grit, when received with the right recognition, will guide you through. I started my journey in a junior tech role at a small company (0-10 employees), which while it seemed great on the surface with gaining a lot of exposure and responsibility early, I was not well supported. Find the right network (within or outside employment) that recognises your efforts, and who champion you and support you; these are your friends. Setting these expectations is important; it is not always an easy ride, you may feel uncomfortable and imposter syndrome may sneak in at times, but be willing to go above and beyond to show your worth. We are still setting the path for other women to be inspired and feel empowered to do the same. 

What is the one thing you would do to encourage more women into the tech sector? 

Fraja: I have actively participated in events as a panellist or speaker to showcase my career in the industry and the journey I’ve experienced as a woman in tech. These have varied in audience from school girls seeking inspiration to young professionals starting out to advanced individuals looking to change career paths, but they have all been in an effort to encourage more women into the tech sector. The more that can be offered in terms of inspirational talks and community forums for empowerment and support, as well as educational resources around tech, the more we can see increased diversity in this space.  

Jess: I would encourage any woman considering their career options not to disregard the technology sector on the basis of thinking they are not ‘technical’ enough. It is a common misconception that I have heard from many female peers when discussing my role and achievements. I am passionate about spreading awareness to those who may not consider this an option at any given opportunity. I’m currently working internally to encourage a partnership between our business and the local universities to implement a graduate scheme. The idea being that female graduates can join the business in a role that assists each department, exposing them to the various opportunities and roles that come with a career in technology. To support this scheme, existing colleagues (male and female) will become mentors to graduates to support their development and career progression in technology.

DMT: I believe we need more women in tech to be seen as role models so that we can raise more awareness of opportunities in the tech sector and on more diverse platforms. This is also my personal aspiration: to be the role model that I once needed. For more diversity in the tech sector, we need to encourage more women to apply for tech roles and to do this, we need to inspire and empower more women, which loops back to my first point.

What challenges have you faced in the tech industry and how have you overcome them?

Alice: Due to the male-dominated nature of the tech industry, I regularly find myself being the only woman in the room, which is challenging because, not only can it make me feel like I don't belong, but also that I need to justify my presence by being competent enough. To make sure I don't lose confidence in myself, I have built a strong support system around me, both inside and outside of work, of people who can offer me help and guidance when I need it. I've also found it incredibly helpful having other women in the industry that I can aspire to, it's empowering to see their success and they motivate me to keep going.

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