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Pivoting to a career in tech
Thinking about a career in tech? The tech industry is waiting for you, says Vanessa Vallely OBE, founder and CEO of WearetechWomen while moderating an inspiring panel of women in tech.
According to Tech UK, women make up roughly 50% of the UK workforce. Yet in the tech sector, only 24% of tech roles are filled by women, with only 5% in leadership positions.The panel featured unique stories from female tech experts at PA Consulting who shared what it’s like to switch industries or enter from a non-technical role, and how to successfully make the transition.
Learning on the job
Former musician and art administrator turned strategic tech partner, Kathryn Lewis, began by discussing her eventful journey into tech. Working her way up from IT manager at a small boutique firm, to IT service management, high-level project management, management consulting and being made partner at PA Consulting.
“My first journey in tech started at a junior level when I was working for a government department. I was the person who helped people solve problems. For instance, how to use their software, what to do when they forgot their passwords and was a conduit to the IT helpdesk. I also became the printer whisperer – I was the only one who could fix the problem and get it to work,” smiles Lewis.
“From there, I then became the person who could manage data files, to the person who looked capable of managing the IT for a 50-strong global and mobile organisation on the cutting-edge of remote access and security control. Terrified, I said OK. I took on the challenge of IT manager, managing tech contracts, front line service support, implementing new software, writing business cases and dealing with data centres,” enthuses Lewis.
“I remember labelling the wires coming out of the back of the computers when I first started, so I could remember where to plug things when swapping out machines. I was learning on the job. Making it up as I went along, really. But it was a huge opportunity.”
“Once I got the measure of it, I took a bigger role in IT service management at UCL, supporting over 1,000 people. From there, I started taking on newer and larger responsibilities,” she adds.
Taking a leap
Next, was data scientist Kaitlin Brabec, a former marketer, on why she chose tech as her second career.“When I graduated in marketing, there were so many people applying for roles in marketing. When I got a role, I was elated but the day-to-day felt mundane. I was very aware of tech being the future and loved the analytics and research side of marketing. I started to teach myself Python – a programming language, on the side. I joined PA Consulting’s women in tech group and took a big leap. It’s opened so many doors for me, allowing me to move into new areas of the business.”
For those looking to make the switch, Brabec has three tips. First, explore what makes you tick.
“Take the time to discover what it is you really want to learn. Maybe you want to build the tech, or maybe you’re more interested in security or say the front-end. Then, try and speak to people in the fields you are interested in to see what it’s like.
”Second, be versatile. “There is a real benefit to being versatile and doing side projects to add skills to your bow. I specialise in data science, but have recently started exploring the front-end more as clients were often interested in AI virtual assistants and that gave me a more informed understanding of a project I was working on. I like join other professional groups on LinkedIn to build out my skills and keep interested and up-to-date. It also helps me discover new approaches and angles to my work.”
Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for help, adds Brabec. “I had some challenges at the start and got thrown into a highly technical project very quickly but don’t be afraid to interact with people and find out the best way forward.”
Switching career paths, or returning to a shifting tech industry can be hard but Lewis offers some sound advice.
“I’m often still the only woman in the room and there are always challenges to overcome but I like to hone in on the problem I’m trying to solve. I stay focused on the customer or end user no matter what the task, whether it’s a new solution, product or strategy. If I keep focused on the end user, I can give my best to the day and the project, and getting the right outcome, without being sucked into the minutiae of the day-to-day or the things I can’t do.”
Maintaining your curiosity and what Lewis calls ‘a beginner’s mind’ is key when working in tech. “I love problems, so working in tech always remains so fresh and interesting to me,’ she adds.
Growth mind-set
Curiosity was a reoccurring theme in several sessions at Women in Tech Week.
“Tech people are problem solvers, that’s what we do. To work in tech, you have to have that curiosity but also the tenacity and persistence to develop solutions to those problems,” says Vallely.
Ana Fernandes, a legal graduate turned digital trust, data protection and cyber security specialist discussed her switch from policy to tech, as well as returning to the tech sector after maternity leave. She went on to dispel some of the myths around working in tech and the skills needed to make the switch.
“It might seem intimidating to move into tech but it’s not just made up of computers, devices and wires and highly specialised technical roles – there is space for everyone to leave their mark in tech. You can often learn many specific technical skills such as coding but many of the essential skills needed are actually the softer skills, like critical thinking and problem solving that can’t just be learnt by sitting on a computer.”
Lewis cited the value of a growth mind-set in tech and having a strength based approach.
“Learning Python isn’t hard if you want to put your mind to it. It’s just another language. Learning GDPR and the technical aspects of the legal side is not hard. From a leadership perspective, we need to give employees space to learn. The world is changing so fast, so companies need to think more innovatively about how to allow their people to grow, make career changes, or come back to the workplace after long periods off.”
She stressed the need to be open to learning and respecting other people’s capabilities. While Fernandes discussed the importance of perspectives at any level, from directors to junior members and interns to gain fresh insights in such a fast-changing sector.
“People often overlook the person with the highest social capital. That person might be the number two, or someone lower in rank but they often know exactly what’s going on, or who can help you with an issue. I was often overlooked as deputy chief information officer (CIO) for the CIO but little did people know, I could have actually opened more doors for them as I had more capacity and was well connected. So, it’s really important to not assume when you’re trying to get a foot in,” says Lewis.
“Asking for help is also extremely empowering. The opposite of that, and pretending that you know everything is disempowering for you and your team. In tech, you’re making fast decisions all the time. Don’t be afraid to slow down. Stay open, and if you’re not clear on something, don’t be worried about going back to people for more clarity.”
Panellists concluded by discussing the value of professional networks and mentorship when switching to a tech career, as well as the vast array of opportunities available to women.
“Tech is an exciting space because you get to build things and make stuff. If you think of any big societal problem we have now, like climate change – all these things are going to be led or solved in some part by technology. Even if you have no desire to write a line of code, there are plenty of interesting roles and problems to solve – so why not give it a try?”
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