Critical Careers - Women Building Careers in Digital Infrastructure - Book - Page 34
What are some of the biggest obstacles young
people face in starting their careers today?
I think one of the biggest obstacles young people face is con昀椀dence. A lot of people
get pushed down or doubt themselves before they’ve even really tried. They worry
about doing something wrong, so they don’t do it at all. And I don’t think that’s the right
mindset. If you really want to do something, even if you get it wrong the 昀椀rst time, just
try. That’s how you build con昀椀dence. And if you’re not sure, ask. There’s always someone
who knows more and is willing to explain.
For me, I didn’t even know what I wanted to do until I was already here. I only realised
when I saw the environment and thought, I really want to be part of this. I got knocked
down the 昀椀rst time I applied for the apprenticeship, but I applied again. And honestly, if
I hadn’t got it the second time, I would have applied again. I was that determined.
Support makes a big difference as well. When you feel like there are people around
you who want you to succeed, not just you pushing on your own, it gives you that
extra con昀椀dence. But sometimes you also just have to push yourself. Step outside your
comfort zone. Even if it feels hard, even if you’re unsure, it can be the thing that
changes everything.
Looking at your growth so far, which skills have made
the biggest difference for you, and why?
I think technically, understanding the systems in more depth has made a huge
difference for me. I now understand why we step power down through transformers,
why switching is so important, why we maintain the building the way we do. You realise
that if something fails, it’s not just a small issue, it could impact a lot of people. That
responsibility changes how you approach the work.
But I’d also say the non-technical side has been just as important. Curiosity, de昀椀nitely.
Asking why. Not just doing something because you’re told to, but wanting to
understand the reason behind it. That’s helped me grow much faster.
I was given the chance to lead on a project installing temperature sensors in customer
cages, and that was a big moment for me. It showed that the team trusted me and that
helps build con昀椀dence. Now I can work more independently and I don’t always need
someone beside me. There’s a level of trust there that wasn’t there at the beginning.
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