In celebration of International Women’s Day, this past Sunday on March 8, CBR talked to Helen Lamb, executive director, managed infrastructure services, Fujitsu UK and Ireland, on the challenges facing women in the IT sector – as well as advice on how to overcome these barriers and succeed.
EB: How can we get more women into choosing STEM subjects at school?
HL: We need to move the conversation away from just talking about technology and technical terms and start talking about the brilliant things that technology enables instead. Every day, all of us are touched by digital, cloud and mobile in all aspects of our home and working lives. What’s brilliant about technology is that it shapes and changes how we live our lives on a daily basis.
By choosing STEM subjects at school, it means you can then be part of this. Casting technology in this light starts to bring to life what the purpose of technology is really about. This can range from preventative healthcare, to ease of shopping, to online Government services such as renewing your tax disc. Companies like Fujitsu are behind making these activities happen!
EB: Why do you think there is a lack of women choosing IT and technology as a profession?
HL: Unfortunately IT and technology does not have the same stature as other professions such as Legal, finance and medicine. Moreover it is all too easy to assume that IT and technology roles are purely technical. We need the IT and technology industry to be rebranded to reflect what it really is – exciting, dynamic and creative.
EB: How can enterprises attract more women into the IT profession?
It is important for women in IT to share their stories and insights as to what IT is really like as a profession, this helps other women see it as an accessible profession that brings significant career choices and opportunities.
EB: What would you say is one of the main challenges facing women working in the tech industry?
HL: I think it’s hard sometimes for women to understand what roles exist in the industry – sometimes they feel daunted about what’s available and by the fact it’s male dominated. Trust me – the tech industry is for everyone! And the best way to understand the roles available, is to join it. It’s an industry where you can move between a technical and business focus giving you great career opportunities.
EB: What challenges, due to the fact that you are a women, have you faced in the industry?
HL: To be honest, most of the challenges have been self-created! I’ve worried about whether to apply for roles – whether I would be good enough and really could do the job. I’ve worried about asking for things for myself. I’ve worried that I might not understand technology.
The reality is that there are lots of people in the industry who want you to succeed – there’s room for everyone – so if you share the worries you’ll find there is someone who is prepared to help you.
EB: What advice would you share with women who are thinking of, or have just entered, the tech industry?
HL: Be open to the possibilities within it, don’t be shy about putting forward your ideas and yourself. It’s attitude that counts in the industry – knowledge can be learned, we need people who are innovative in their thinking, people who like to operate in a fast moving environment, are likely to drive change.
