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Thursday 9th February 2012


Position:
Associate Partner in Global Business Services
Company: IBM
Location: London

What is the potential for women at IBM?

I think there is great potential.  All roles are open to women and we are getting very good at having excellent woman in all areas of our business to act as role models.  One of the things that excites me about working for IBM is that I get an opportunity to shape the future of the organisation.   IBM actively encourages all employees to be part of creating and enhancing our corporate values , seeks feedback on climate regularly and encourages individuals to be part of network groups and consultation teams that influence decisions and help deliver improvements.

How do you balance your work and family life?

Just under half way through my 10 years I took a leave of absence for a year and went travelling. Now I buy an extra two weeks holiday a year.  I like to write in my spare time and I use the extra vacation to go away and spend time locked away somewhere remote pretending to be an author!

Are you aware of any preconception or stereotypes of women in IT, and if so what do you think of them?

I think there is a preconception that IT is full of people with beards and sandals and unless you are a real IT whiz kid, there is no room for you.  The truth is that there are a plethora of roles in IT and that some of the most valued are those where people have business knowledge and IT credibility so that they can act as bridge between the two areas.

If you could give young women looking for to work in IT a single piece of advice, what would it be?

My piece of advice would be to be clear about what it is you want to achieve and then look for roles that you will enjoy that align to that.  I've never seen any sense in spending a huge part of my life doing something I don't like and I know that I deliver best when I am enjoying what I do.