Stephanie offers genuine support for women considering a career path into the industry and draws from her own experiences.
Stephanie is an ex. full stack web developer and mathematician. She is a passionately curious and ambitious problem solver. Stephanie loves bringing diverse people together to communicate ideas effectively and work collaboratively.
I WONDER IF I WERE WRITING THIS IN A DECADE’S TIME, WHETHER THE TITLE WOULD JUST BE ‘HOW TO START YOUR CAREER’, AND MAYBE I’D ALSO BE A GENERATIVE AI…
Technical skills are becoming necessary and commonplace, and that’s reflected in the flourishing job market. Despite recent high-profile layoffs in tech, the demand for skills in engineering, data science, and information security is still significantly higher than supply. That means that it’s a great place to be: your skills are valuable, and that value is only going to increase as new tech emerges. Being in a technical role is empowering and can level the playing field for folks who may struggle to progress at work due to the biases and popularity contests that can dictate promotions. It can be intimidating though, and the world of tech is rife with imposter syndrome, so getting started in such a vast and expanding field can be daunting!
FIND YOUR PASSION
Enthusiasm and excitement for what you do go a long way in energising you and those around you. There is such a diversity of options for what to do in tech: from software engineering; to experience design; to data analysis; to cybersecurity. I’ve taken the scenic route on my career path so far, which has allowed me to get a taste for many different roles, disciplines, and languages. This breadth of experience has been invaluable in understanding problem spaces and breaking down siloed working, bringing folks together to collaborate on solutions. When starting out, expose yourself to as many different crafts, ways of working, and teams as you can: network, research roles, connect with communities, and engage in hands-on projects. Find what makes you excited!
BUILD YOUR SKILLS AND PORTFOLIO
Once you’ve decided where you want to focus, start taking courses, there are so many to choose from, but just start anywhere and keep going. I’ve been in a technical position for almost 15 years and have always had at least one course on the go – there is always more to learn! It is important to walk before you can run though, if you need to start with a basic course, then do. It’s better to move fast and feed your confidence, than to get stuck early on. You’ll need to keep track of your progress, and demonstrate it to others, so create a portfolio of your learning, preferably hosted somewhere public. Don’t worry about finishing projects as you go, unless you want to, just make sure you do enough to learn and showcase the skills you are focussing on.
GROW YOUR NETWORK
Your network can provide mentorship, technical guidance, job opportunities, and give you a sense of belonging. Find like-minded folks in online communities, or through live courses, conferences, or other events. If you have local tech meet ups or community groups, then go along, and engage. Connect with people with authenticity and confidence; the world of tech needs more of these skills. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, advice, or mentorship in order to maximise your growth, and get the most out of these experiences. Own your weaknesses as well as your strengths, and remember that everyone is valuable, be confident in what you bring – it is unique.
ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED
At work, find a leader who supports you, and colleagues who love what they do. A good culture starts with happy, fulfilled people. There are so many great jobs out there so stand your ground and make sure that you don’t settle for something out of fear you won’t find anything else. The job search is just as much your opportunity to ask for what you need as it is the hiring manager’s. Be clear about what you want on your CV too: mine says in big letters at the top, that I want to work with people who love what they do. The two most important things for me in my career have always been great leadership, and great culture. At Shawbrook I couldn’t be happier with these: I am encouraged to grow and explore what I am capable of, without feeling like I’m being held back. Leaders are steering the company to do great things, fighting bias and encouraging inclusivity. Colleagues are warm, open, helpful, and genuinely want to be here. Tech can be a scary place, but here it’s more warm and fuzzy!
YOU ARE CAPABLE OF DOING HARD THINGS
Whether you’re at the beginning of your working life or changing discipline, starting a career in tech is a daunting, but highly rewarding task. At its core though success all comes down to attitude, don’t give up. Sometimes technical challenges can feel insurmountable. Just break it down, write out the steps, ask the internet. Keep trying, you will get there.
