Critical Careers - Women Building Careers in Digital Infrastructure - Book - Page 37
Looking at your growth so far, which skills have made
the biggest difference for you, and why?
One of the biggest things for me has been really staying on top of what’s happening in the
industry. Keeping up with market insights, following what different companies are doing, and
just making a conscious effort to understand the space I’m in.
Because I’m still early in my career, I don’t have years of experience to draw on yet. So for me,
a big way to add value has been through learning. I read white papers, follow industry news,
listen to podcasts, and have conversations with people in the sector. I’ve actually learned just
as much from those conversations and my network as I have in my day-to-day role.
It’s also helped me feel more con昀椀dent contributing, especially in a sustainability team where
there’s a lot of innovation and idea-sharing. If I can bring a fresh perspective or something I’ve
read or heard, that’s a way for me to contribute meaningfully from quite early on.
Has there been a moment that made
you feel like you truly belonged in
this industry?
Honestly, for me it’s been the people and the sense of
community. I didn’t expect to feel so connected to an industry
so early in my career, but that’s probably been the biggest
thing that’s made me feel like I belong.
Getting involved in groups like GeN+1 and going to events
where you’re meeting people at a similar stage in their
careers has been really impactful. You’re all learning, asking
questions, and 昀椀guring things out together, which makes the
industry feel much more accessible. It’s a really open and
supportive environment.
I’ve also met some incredible senior women who are doing
amazing things, and that’s been really motivating. Seeing
those role models makes it feel like there’s a clear path and
real opportunity to grow here.
And then alongside that, just the pace of growth in the
industry stands out. It feels like something that’s evolving
quickly and has a lot of momentum. I 昀椀nd myself genuinely
interested in it. I try to read everything I can about what is
happening in the industry. That combination of community
and curiosity is what’s made it feel like the right place for me.
And alongside that, just being open and curious has been really important. I go to events and
speak to people. I’m not afraid to say, “I don’t know, can you explain that to me?” I think that
mindset has made a huge difference in how quickly I’ve been able to learn and grow.
What do you wish more senior leaders understood
about what it’s like to be starting out in your career
in today’s work atmosphere?
One of the biggest things is understanding that, at this stage, we’re really driven by curiosity
and a desire to learn. From the outside, that can sometimes be interpreted as wanting to
move too quickly or constantly chase the next promotion, but that’s not really the case. It’s
much more about development than progression.
What I’d love more senior leaders to recognise is how valuable it is for us to be included
in conversations and exposed to different parts of the business. Even something as simple
as inviting us into a meeting, or taking the time to explain how things work, makes a huge
difference. That’s how we learn, and it helps us feel connected to what’s going on.
I also think there’s a real appetite to hear from senior leaders more openly. Not just where
they are now, but how they got there. Hearing those journeys, the challenges, the pivots,
the decisions along the way, is incredibly valuable. It makes career paths feel more real
and more achievable.
And ultimately, it comes back to connection. We want to learn from people, ask questions,
and understand the bigger picture. If that environment is there, where curiosity is
encouraged and supported, it makes a huge impact on how con昀椀dent and motivated
you feel starting out.
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