Critical Careers - Women Building Careers in Digital Infrastructure - Book - Page 55
Has there been a moment that made
you feel like you truly belonged in
this industry and why did that stand
out to you?
There hasn’t been one single moment, but more a realisation
that I am growing with the industry and have a place within it.
What really stood out to me was recognising that I sit
somewhere in the middle. You’ve got the generation before
us who built the foundations of this industry, often in very
male-dominated environments, and then you’ve got the
younger generation coming in now with a completely
different mindset. And I found myself in between those two.
I am not just part of the industry, I have a role to play in
shaping it.
On one hand, I’ve learned so much from those who came
before me. But on the other, I feel a real responsibility to help
open the door for the next generation, especially for young
women who might still 昀椀nd the industry intimidating from the
outside. I’m in a unique position to say to them that this is
a great industry and there is space for you here. I genuinely
mean it because I’ve experienced it myself.
I also see how accessible this industry can be. There are so
many transferable skills. You don’t have to come from one
speci昀椀c background. If you’re ambitious, willing to learn,
and have the right support around you, there are so many
different paths you can take.
What do you think this industry does
in supporting women and where do
you think there’s still work to do?
One of the things the industry is doing well is becoming more
open and visible in terms of the roles women can have. You’re
starting to see women across all levels, from CEOs to heads
of functions, and that really matters. It shows that there isn’t
just one path or one type of role for women in this space.
What’s also encouraging is how approachable many of those
women are. There’s less of a sense of hierarchy and more
openness. You can have a conversation with someone without
even realising their title or seniority, and that makes the
industry feel more accessible. It breaks down that idea that
there are barriers to entry or progression.
That said, I do think there’s still more to do. The industry can
still feel intimidating, especially for women who aren’t already
exposed to it. If you’re coming from a different background,
whether that’s engineering, IT, marketing or something
completely different, it’s not always clear how to step in or
where you 昀椀t.
Representation is also still a challenge. Earlier in my career, I
was often the only woman in the room, and not just that, but
the only South Asian woman. That can be quite isolating.
It’s improving and I’m now seeing more diversity in the digital
infrastructure space, but there is still a long way to go.
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