What if everything you’ve been told about breaking into tech is wrong?
Forget the narrative that you need a computer science degree or coding bootcamp to thrive in the technology industry. The truth is far more encouraging.
In this riveting conversation with Jenny Briant, Academy Operations Director at Ten10, we unpack the hidden pathways into successful tech careers that have nothing to do with traditional technical credentials. Jenny shares her remarkable journey from psychology graduate to tech leadership, revealing how humanities degrees develop the analytical thinking and communication skills that tech companies desperately need.
The statistics are startling – only 30% of successful academy participants at Ten10 come from STEM backgrounds. We examine why retail and hospitality workers often make exceptional tech professionals (hint: it has everything to do with problem-solving under pressure and communication skills). If you’ve ever felt excluded from tech opportunities because your background doesn’t fit the standard mold, this episode will completely transform your perspective.
We also tackle the sobering reality of the gender pay gap in technology, projected to take another 46 years to close. Jenny reveals the practical, actionable strategies companies can implement immediately to accelerate progress – from transparency in hiring criteria to structured interviews that minimize unconscious bias. The discussion on job descriptions is particularly eye-opening, as research shows women typically apply only when meeting almost all requirements, while men apply when meeting just 55%.
The conversation doesn’t shy away from controversial topics like AI in recruitment. Jenny explains why Ten10 doesn’t use fully automated AI tools, sharing the shocking finding that an AI recruitment system would have rejected 11 of their 20 current high-performing employees. We explore what responsible AI might look like in five years and the safeguards needed to ensure technology enhances rather than hinders diversity.
Whether you’re considering a career pivot into tech, leading a team struggling with diversity, or simply interested in the future of work, this episode provides the roadmap for a more inclusive, innovative tech industry. Listen now to discover why your non-technical background might be exactly what tech companies need.
