Digital Her was set up to address the gender imbalance in the digital and tech industry in Greater Manchester. Our programmes aim to inspire the next generation of women to join the industry, and support the current generation working in the industry.
This month we caught up with Joanne Austin, who works as a QA Engineer at On the Beach, a Digital Her sponsor. We asked Joanna about her journey into digital and tech, the challenges within the industry and why and how we should encourage more women to consider a career in digital.
Can you tell us your journey into tech?
I graduated in 2005 with an Engineering degree in Poland but then moved to England, had a baby, and did not believe in myself.
It was in 2014 when everything changed. A small medical software company hired me as a Tester despite my lack of previous working experience in Tech.
Since then I have had several other jobs in the field and gone from strength to strength, learning so much along the way.
What was it that made you consider a career in tech?
I had all the background knowledge in Tech I had gained at University, and in my position at the time as a Teaching Assistant, I felt very undervalued and underestimated. I wanted to learn and push myself.
My husband was my biggest supporter and kept saying IT would be brilliant for me.
Did you have a mentor, and if so, how did they help & encourage you?
In my first IT job I worked alongside a fantastic tester with many years of experience. She gave me strong foundations and a knowledge of testing that I believe helped me in future roles and interviews.
Were you encouraged into tech, science or digital while you were at school?
In school there was very little emphasis on Tech. I guess it was hard with a lack of equipment. We sometimes had to share one computer between 3 people or make do by writing things on paper.
I remember my Maths and Physics teachers in Primary school would give me extra curriculum tasks, but I am not sure if that was just so they could carry on the lesson with the rest of the class. I was bored... I remember giving every answer before the teacher could finish writing the exercise on the board.
What subjects did you study at school and uni?
I completed my education In Poland, so you study all 13 subjects until A levels. You don’t drop anything. I remember my teachers telling me that University would be perfect for me as I could study what I like. I was very mathematically minded and really had no interest in History or Politics but was stuck with them until the age of 18.
I then went to post-secondary schools where I studied tourism and leisure at the weekends and IT during the week.
After that, I continued my IT education at University. It is difficult to describe the subjects as there were about 10 from Maths and Physics to Network and Operational Systems.
Did you find the transfer into the tech job easy? Is it what you expected? Did you have any previous skills that were transferable?
I don’t remember having any difficulties. I feel listened to, believed in. I can play to my strengths’ and do what I love. I think I always had that IT, mathematical mindset, and always loved numbers which has helped me later in my career.
What do you most enjoy about your tech job now?
I love working with like-minded people.
I still like breaking things (in a different way to my younger years!). I just like to put myself in the shoes of the end user and see if our software can cope with that demand.
What does it mean to you to encourage young women into the tech industry?
I think it would be great to have more women in tech.
It is slowly changing. When I started 8 years ago I would often sit in a room of 20 people with 2 female engineers whereas nowadays there tends to be a few more women.
If you ever had any doubts or worry that you don’t have enough experience / education, then please just have a go. You can start with less technical roles and learn on the job, or be part of an apprenticeship program. The possibilities are endless. Sometimes you just need that gentle push or that one person to give you a chance.
It is so refreshing to have a mixed gender working environment. JUST GO FOR IT!
Find out more about Digital Her and the ways you can get involved!
