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Describe your background and how you got into IT
I have a traditional educational background. I went to school in South West England and did GCSEs then A-levels. I was given a place at Nottingham University to do BSc in Computer Science and Business Management and when I finished there I decided to do an MSc in Business Information Technology at Manchester University. I applied for jobs in the big IT Consultancy firms for roles which had a mix of IT and business, and was offered a place on the graduate scheme at Capgemini to start in September 2007.
What is your current position / situation
I have been on the Business Technology Consulting (BTC) Graduate programme at Capgemini for the past year. On the BTC you get the opportunity to try out different areas of the business before choosing which area to move into. I have worked on bid work and testing. I’m currently working on a development role using Filenet BPM for a government client.
What do you like best about working in IT?
The variety of work is huge and I am always learning new things. IT has so many different aspects! There are a variety of technologies and the way we apply varies from client to client. Moreover, technology is constantly evolving so new concepts are to be learnt all the time in order to keep up-to-speed..
Why did you choose a career in IT in the first place?
I didn’t really know what I wanted to do for a degree subject, but thought that most jobs required IT and business knowledge. So I decided to opt for a joint honours Computer Science and Business degree. While I was doing the course, I realised how much IT and business complemented each other..
What have been the highlights of your career so far?
There hasn’t been one particular highlight, but a number of them. I’ve enjoyed changing roles, working with a mix of different people, and learning new skills and technologies. I particularly liked attending the Software Immersion course at Capgemini’s training facility in Paris – it felt great to be part of the BTC community.
What are your career aspirations?
In the near future I want to try some different roles on the BTC scheme to experience different projects and learn some new skills. Hopefully this will give me a clearer picture of which business unit I would be most suited to.
What are your tips for success?
Be enthusiastic - if you want something then show it. Always give things a go, you might surprise yourself at how well it may work out. Communicate with others and don’t hesitate to ask for help and advice when you need it.
What books / websites etc. would you recommend to a woman just starting out in IT?
I prefer to keep up-to-date on current affairs and advances in technology. I read our corporate intranet news site for company developments, check the BBC news website daily and read the Times at the weekends. If you are interested in a particular technology then read up on it, but the best way to learn is to actually give it a go.
Can you share a few words of wisdom for those people who are thinking about pursuing a career in IT?
Don’t be fooled into thinking that IT is full of developers. There are plenty of different types of roles available and most require a mix of IT and business skills. Don’t worry if you think you don’t know enough about a particular software. Most companies including Capgemini supply training before using a specialist software.
Do you think it might have been a different story, of "how you got to where you are now", if you'd been a man?
Not really. I think that men and women have equal opportunities if they have the right skills and drive to succeed.
Tell us a little about your life outside of work
I am a keen swimmer, enjoy kickboxing and am trained in Latin American and Ballroom dance. I enjoy music, movies, the theatre, going out with my friends and spending time with family.
What do you think could be done to actively encourage more women to join the technology market place in general?
I think that the press should emphasise the breadth of roles available in IT to discourage the ‘geek’ stereotype, and to bring to the fore the value that women bring to IT roles.
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