Are Woman in Tech stepping up?

This week I was honoured to be invited to speak with the NatWest Women in Tech community. I was greeted by young and enthusiastic women filled with a bunch of questions about my career journey and seeking ideas to help navigate their own careers. My particular story is not typical, but that's a good thing right? I hope that those from similar diverse backgrounds might take some inspiration - or at least solace - to follow their instincts, but more importantly have the courage to step up to the challenge.

How have you found yourself in your current role?

When choosing a University degree, you are often advised to 'do what you love'. For me, a passion for Shakespeare plays and Victorian novels led to a degree in English Literature. Always up for a challenge, I combined my degree with classes in sociology and social research. I often found myself hanging around the computing department typing up assignments on word processors and using SPSS for survey analysis when others were hand-writing theirs. I became fascinated by technology - and the people that worked in the field.

In my quest for direction, I signed myself up for all kinds of classes (computing, T.V. production); made some cash by writing articles for Teen magazines; worked in factories, as a cleaner, in family businesses and in an Army Ordnance Depot; took on various volunteer posts (psychological studies at the National Physical Laboratory, home visitor at the RSPCA, conservation work). The list of odd jobs and enterprises goes on, but it was a role as Sales Engineer for Hewlett-Packard that finally engaged me. On my first day I was told they wanted someone who thought differently to their regular graduate trainees. Well that was certainly me! Since then I've looked for roles in teams that are trying to do something extraordinary.

I'm currently leading developer advocacy and ecosystem programmes at IBM. My job is to figure out ways to inspire and engage technical communities and our business partners with IBM technologies. I still take on many side projects. I am currently Treasurer for our local Parochial Parish Council and lead event programmes for Connecting Women in Technology, and have tucked under my belt numerous qualifications and certificates over the years.

What did working in technology look like for women when you first started in the industry? And do you think this has improved much in the years since?

The technology industry has not always been as male dominated as it is today. The early days of computing were strongly associated with women because it was seen as deskilled and an unimportant job. This quickly began to change as it became clear that those who knew how to use computers would have great power and influence. Women lost out despite having all the required skills, were denied promotions or boxed out of their jobs. However, by 1984 37% of computer-science students were still women.

What happened next? - Marketing happened!

Marketing is all about identifying and understanding a target market. In the 1970's & 80's computers started to enter the consumer market with game consoles. Gaming - such as Nintendo’s Game Boy - along with everything else computer software related evolved with boys in mind. The industry’s male focus in it's marketing became a self-fulfilling prophecy.

By the time I joined the computer industry it was big business and dominated by men. I was exposed to specific classes and well-meaning mentoring sessions from other senior women on how to conduct myself in a male dominated environment. Most seemed to focus on how to look, sound and act 'professionally' (ie, not attract unsolicited sexualised attention).

I've spent a lot of time suppressing imposter syndrome. My antidote is to keep on learning.

Feeling like an imposter is nothing new for many working women. An idea first introduced in the 1978 article by Dr. Pauline R. Clance and Dr. Suzanne A. Imes, but it is still real for sure! My personal approach to calm those feelings is to;

• Remember that nobody is good at everything. Work out how important it is to know what you don't know then enrol on the best courses and qualifications available.
• Figure out your magic. Although you may not feel you know as much as others, you will have a perspective that will bring something unique to the team.
• Take a breath and stay calm Just because you feel uncomfortable today, try not to dwell on the negativity. Tomorrow will be better!

Do you have any advice for women wanting to change career paths into a STEM role and don’t know where to start?

Like me, you don’t need to have a degree in computer science or an IT-related subject to get a job in technology. Some employers will have a preference for those who studied a STEM subject but others are looking for curious and creative mind-sets. I recommend that you:

1. Get to know the sector of Technology, you are interested in
2. Take a look at data science. There is some evidence to suggest that women are beginning to crush the gender gap in data science and related fields. Someone with a logical, analytical mind can pick up skills to extract knowledge from data which is highly valuable in the job market.
3. Be passionate. The technology sector is crying out for dynamic women so if you are passionate about enabling change through technology, you must show it!
4. Gain knowledge and experience There are lots of fun competitions, learning events and activities geared towards helping people get started with technology. Why not check out the Call for Code challenge, where there are easy to follow starter kits to help technologist build a new solution to tackle climate change and win the funds to bring that idea to life. Or learn something new on our Crowdcast channel for free live-streamed learning events for Developers and Data Scientists.

What do you think still needs improving and how can women currently working in STEM help?

We all need to be highly skilled, mobile, and tech-savvy as artificial intelligence technologies will drive millions workers globally to transition between occupations by 2030. Women face additional barriers and will need support to move forward, but if they do they could be on the path to more productive, better-paid work. Here are some ideas of how we can all pull together to make the change:

• Get involved! I have actively volunteered to help with lots of initiatives to inspire girls to be excited by technology such as the The Disney Marvel Girls Who Change the World challenge for girls ages 11-14. I'd definitely recommend everyone do something every year to help promote diversity and inclusion in our industry. It gives you a real buzz to share what you know.

• Join or create supportive communities For the past year I've been redesigning a cross industry network of women working in technology companies (my story here). How could you help communities in your setting?
• Become a mentor there is a lack of role models in the technology industry - if you see the leaders of a company entirely dominated by Males, would you want to work there? Women who support each other to succeed can only improve the diversity of the tech industry.
• Share your story! I'd love to hear your story too!

If you are interested in contributing to innovations that help tackle climate change and other pressing world challenges, then Call for Code might be for you. Join our next session for beginners on Crowdcast with our Connecting Women in Technology Community