What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy the ever-evolving world of data and technology in all of the areas that I get to be part of it. Being the human connector between the mission that we have and new users having "aha" moments and a mindset shift is so rewarding.
How long have you worked in the technology sector?
I have dipped in and out of tech since 2008
What other roles have you held in the technology sector? What was your first role?
I worked in trade marketing and helped manage account managers across Poland. I was part of the development with the founder of in-app software supporting account management, marketing, and company data collection activities. From gathering sales orders to collecting marketing images or sending comms via mobile app and more. This was back in 2008 so the very first technology of this sort.
I have also worked in blockchain technologies exploration and have enjoyed working with tech events groups connecting new technologies, enthusiasts and speakers.
What sparked your interest in working in technology initially?
Humans have come so far, and we would not have been on this journey without technology. I never thought of myself as a techy person but as I started to explore more and learnt I was drawn into the world of data.
I found myself enjoying finding trends and stories within the data I was looking at. I was able to create predictions and see the bigger picture. I was fascinated by it; it was like solving a puzzle and fun. It’s like with a good book, it’s just paper and lots of words printed on a page, but the magic happens in your mind with imagination and creativity, so you can see what story it tells and how you will interpret it.
What challenges did you overcome to get your foot on a career path in technology? How did you do this and was there anyone or anything that was particularly helpful?
Most important is to be curious and ask questions, then explore areas you find interesting. I didn’t know I was into tech until I put 2 and 2 together from some of the patterns and enjoyment I had in those areas. I believe in putting yourself out there to try things, so this is what I always did. Even if it was not my area of knowledge or experience but I could bring something to the table, I would volunteer to support - this is how you build connections and knowledge and test things.
In your experience, does being a woman in your profession come with extra challenges? How have you overcome these?
I believe we all have an equal chance at what we want to do, the difficult part is in our abilities to stay disciplined, committed, and curious enough to continue exploring.
I think the biggest challenge is always overcoming yourself, your own confidence issues, overthinking if I am good enough and if my skills are of value. Am I saying something silly as I do not come from a tech background but rather business management, relationship development, and performance. Because of this, I struggled to see myself as “girl in tech’’ because I do not code. Some women might be more emotional and sensitive, with a drive to be perfect and that can stand in their way to succeeding. But you do not have to code as there are so many wonderful areas where the skills you have will add value to the technical projects and dialogue – if tech language is getting in the way of understanding, the translators need to work harder!
You can learn anything you choose to if you enjoy it.
What’s been the single thing that has helped you with your career in technology?
Following my intuition and curiosity in what I enjoy and giving it a go.
What changes have you seen in the sector since you started working in technology?
Things move fast, very fast into the future and are changing rapidly.
What would your advice be to any woman wanting to start her career in the technology industry?
Start now, do not wait and ponder, but explore, test, try, fail, and learn as much as you can.
Do you think it’s important for more women to find career paths within the technology sector?
I think the perception that tech is not for women or that it is more male-dominated can make it appear less appealing. Helping to create an understanding that there is a variety of roles available to everyone, irrespective of gender would be helpful, but most importantly, everyone has free will to choose and give anything a try. There is nothing stopping women from creating careers within tech if they find a passion for it. I think space is there you just have to claim it.
Do you think enough is done to help women get into the technology industry? If not, what would you recommend?
I think there is knowledge anywhere we go if we are curious to explore it. If you are good at something or willing to learn, the opportunities are there. Apart from that there are so many movements opening up those talks on tech to women, gathering women in tech together. Schools have a huge role to play as this is where the knowledge about tech opportunities should start.
If there was one more question you’d liked to have been asked, what would it be? And what would your answer be?
Outside of your day-to-day work what message are you passionate about spreading that is connected to your work in some way?
We need to change our relationship with data and see that it can be fun.
Great things in the world come from creative collaborations, environments where people might change their perceptions and become more curious. They might learn to shift their way of thinking to see how things and actions connect and can form a story in their own life, business, career, or work with customers, however they choose to apply it to. Lastly, we cannot lose the human element in all we do. AI and our development towards the future we see in films is great and scary at the same time, but I believe that big companies in tech have a role to play in making sure we retain the human element in how we interact with each other otherwise humanity will lose its purpose.
