30572_Kao Data Critical Careers_Pages - Flipbook - Page 51
What advice would you give younger women about
the industry?
51
he advice I’d give to younger women coming into the industry
is simple: don’t let the vastness of it intimidate you. The digital
infrastructure space is a fascinating convergence of disciplines—real
estate, technology, energy, construction, and more—and while that can feel
overwhelming, it also means there’s something for everyone.
T
lso, stay curious. The industry moves so quickly, and there’s always something
new to learn. Attend conferences, ask questions, and keep challenging yourself
to explore. You never know what might spark your interest or lead you down
an exciting new path. This is a dynamic, fast-paced space, and that’s what makes it so
rewarding to be a part of.
And don’t worry if your interests evolve. Maybe you start exploring data
centres and discover the physical construction side isn’t for you, but then
you stumble upon something like subsea cables or network infrastructure
and 昀椀nd your passion there. There are so many different disciplines within
the digital infrastructure space that I truly believe there’s something
for everyone.
This is a bit more generic, but one thing I’ve noticed is that women often feel like they
need to tick every single box before they apply for a role. If they see 10 requirements on
a job spec and they can only meet 9, they might hesitate, thinking they’re not quali昀椀ed
enough. Meanwhile, research shows that men are more likely to apply even if they’re
missing a few quali昀椀cations. My advice? Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready—just go for
it. The industry is full of people who genuinely want to see you succeed and are willing to
help you along the way.
A
