What technology means to me
Having always been drawn towards IT, I am a firm believer that technology can make our lives that little bit easier, giving us all the freedom to live, learn, and work in the best way possible. Technology has huge potential for innovation, and more importantly, it can be a real force for good. That’s why I get excited about our work with organisations like UNICEF, in which we’re using the power of modern technology to help bring about positive changes to society, such as working to help bridge the global digital divide.
Technology has supported me on a far more personal level too. It has helped me do everything from creating digital approaches to sales and marketing challenges, to providing support to the world’s most powerful and successful IT companies. Technology has allowed me to continue working during a global pandemic and, it’s enabled me to connect with some truly inspirational women.
A gap between women and technology?
What is concerning, however, is the clear gender imbalance in technology: women represent just 17 percent of all ICT specialists in Europe. There is also a distinct lack of emphasis placed upon female role models in the industry, meaning their efforts can often go unnoticed.
That said, history tells us that some of the world’s great innovations in IT were driven by women. Take Radia Perlman, the famed ‘mother of the internet’, or pioneer of computer science Ada Lovelace, who unknowingly designed all the elements of a modern computer in 1842, as prime examples. I’ve always been inspired by these women, and I’m sure that there will be others to follow in their footsteps - but we need to be proactive if we really want to make that happen.
We should highlight our female heroes, not hide them away. From personal experience, women seem more likely to self-sabotage. Society has conditioned us to perhaps shy away from roles that are not 100 percent in our comfort zone and for many women, the IT sector can often feel out of reach. Positive role models have the power to influence our actions and motivate us to uncover our true potential. As individuals we can aspire to, raising awareness of female IT role models could help make women aware that tech is an industry open to all.
Making women in IT a reality
My mission then, when I became a mentor for the Women in Tech (WIT) network, or when I worked with the British Interactive Media Association (BIMA), was to do exactly that. By providing networks of support, mentoring and guidance to young women, as well as showing that success at the top end really is possible, I did everything I could to shatter any perception that IT is just for men. I only hope that some of the women I met would now feel more confident to go on to study and work in STEM as a result of our work together.
In more recent times I have also worked to encourage women from other industries, furloughed due to COVID-19, to seek out new opportunities and consider the exciting realm of tech as a new career path. Some people say this is my ‘superpower’, that I know how to steer individuals in the right direction to achieve success. But I like to think it’s because I want to demonstrate that anything is achievable, which is absolutely the case in IT.
I’ve also continued to challenge myself by swapping out intimate Q&As for virtual Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) conferences in my new role at Ericsson as Head of M&C Strategy, Planning & Operations for Ericsson Europe & Latin America. I wanted to make sure I could keep spreading the word about women in tech despite the evident barriers imposed by lockdown. In fact, I feel lucky to have had the full support of my Ericsson colleagues with this. There are so many inspirational women in my leadership team, who I am delighted to say are as dedicated to making a difference as I am.
Becoming a role model
It’s an honour being shortlisted from 800 entries and nominated by my customers in the categories of Executive Mentor of the Year and Outstanding Returner, after a period of maternity leave, in this year’s virtual CRN awards.
It was so exciting and inspirational to experience the awards ceremony, and I’d like to say a huge congratulations to the winners. To find myself amongst the industry’s female heroes, who I am also lucky to call my friends, feels unreal. Although I’ve been so focused on promoting IT’s female role models, I never expected to be labelled as one myself.
Final thoughts
Together, we can help get more women into technology. In my eyes, we all have a responsibility to help shatter the IT gender divide. We need to show that women can have successful and fulfilling careers in technology, and that we’re ready to welcome them with open arms.
So, let’s up our efforts and keep this conversation going. Here at Ericsson, it’s Diversity and Inclusion Awareness month, where we are working to recognise the full spectrum of diversity that exists within our company, hosting activities such as panel talks, webinars and roundtable discussions.
I’m excited to see where the future will take us – and who knows what having more women in tech could bring to the industry?
References
Eurostat: Women in Digital Scoreboard 2019
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