Celebrating International #GirlsinICT Day!

International #GirlsinICT day is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging girls and young women to pursue a career in the exciting and dynamic world of ICT. This year’s theme is “Digital Skills for Life”.

At Citizen, we are passionate about promoting gender diversity in our industry and creating opportunities for women to thrive and succeed. 

In this blog, we will highlight the stories of the women of Citizen and what inspired them to pursue a career in ICT. We believe that sharing these stories is a powerful way to inspire and motivate girls and young women who may be considering a career in this field.

Our team of talented and accomplished women come from diverse backgrounds and have a wide range of experiences and perspectives to share. From account managers to creative designers, our team members have excelled in various roles within the ICT industry.

They will share their personal stories of what inspired them to pursue a career in ICT, the challenges they faced along the way, and the advice they would give to young girls who are hoping to pursue a career in ICT.

Through these stories, we hope to encourage and empower girls and young women to follow their dreams. We believe that the future of our industry depends on a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we are committed to doing our part to make that a reality.

So join us in celebrating international #GirlsinICT Day and the amazing women of Citizen who are leading the way in this exciting field. Let’s inspire the next generation of girls to follow in their footsteps and make their mark on the world of ICT!

EMILY

• LinkedIn

What inspired you to join the ICT industry? 

There are many reasons why I joined the digital world, mainly because it’s the age I grew up in, I grew as the world of technology grew around me. I’ve always been curious about how it impacts our world, and always wanted to be part of an ever-evolving field of work that shapes the future. To be involved and surrounded by innovative technological advancements and the way they help society (for the better) is ever so intriguing.

What challenges have you faced along the way?

To be honest, I haven’t faced a challenge that I couldn’t overcome. Yes, I’ve experienced discrimination due to my age and gender. But I genuinely think this was all due to the fact that technology was changing the world as we knew it and it intimidated older generations as they didn’t get to grips with it as easy. I never took it personally. This did also bring about another issue in that I found it difficult to find a mentor/support to assist me in my career. However, perseverance and looking at challenges positively, these actually presented us all with opportunities to grow and develop. Now having moved into an agency I’m surrounded by likeminded people who have so much knowledge in the field.

What advice would you give to girls and young women who are interested in ICT?

Be persistent! Embrace learning as a lifelong journey and be willing to continuously up-skill and adapt to changes. Seek out mentors and role models who can provide guidance and support, surround yourself with people that will help you grow and develop. You will face knock backs, but don’t take things personally! 

KATE

• LinkedIn

What inspired you to join the ICT industry? 

The speed and accessibility to information and Data

What challenges have you faced along the way?

I have had to adapt to new technologies and be prepared to always be learning.

What advice would you give to girls and young women who are interested in ICT? 

It is the Future and should be embraced. Patience and a logical mind is a big help, an attribute a lot of women have naturally.

GEORGIA

• LinkedIn

What inspired you to join the ICT industry? 

As someone who loves social media and is excited about new emerging technology, I was naturally drawn to the ICT industry. I saw it as an opportunity to be part of a dynamic and constantly evolving field where innovation is key.

What challenges have you faced along the way?

Along the way, I faced a few challenges, such as keeping up with the fast pace of technological advancements and dealing with occasional setbacks or failures. However, I’ve learned that perseverance, adaptability, and continuous learning are essential traits for anyone working in this industry.

What advice would you give to girls and young women who are interested in ICT?

To girls and young women who are interested in ICT, my advice would be to pursue your passion and never let anyone discourage you from following your dreams. The tech industry needs more diverse perspectives and voices, and your skills and talents are valuable assets! Some of my favourite accounts across social media that have HUGE followings and are killing the game are all run by girls! So don’t be afraid to take risks, ask questions, and seek support when needed. With hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

CHARL

• LinkedIn

What inspired you to join the ICT industry? 

I was inspired to join the ICT industry because I was drawn to its fast-paced nature and constant evolution. This industry is always advancing, pushing boundaries and presenting new challenges, which keeps me engaged and excited about my work.

What challenges have you faced along the way?

One of the biggest challenges I have faced since joining the ICT industry is technical advancements: Keeping up with the latest technology advancements and staying ahead of the competition can be challenging, as technology is constantly evolving. 

What advice would you give to girls and young women who are interested in ICT?

My advice for girls and young women who are interested in joining the ICT industry is fear nothing! Believe in yourself, the ICT industry can be intimidating, but don’t let that discourage you. Believe in your abilities and know that you have what it takes to succeed.

ELODIE

• LinkedIn

What inspired you to join the ICT industry? 

Computers were a part of my up bring from an early age. My geeky hoarder of a dad kept 4 or 5 computers at a time in our tiny flat and flat screens weren’t a thing back then. He would proudly tell anyone how I learnt colours as a toddler in the 80s on an Amstrad CPC (remember those?!) computer game that featured tank engines and wagons of various colours (think basic RGB cyan, blue, magenta, green…). It wouldn’t surprise anyone nowadays but I guess it was quite unusual to learn something on a device at the time. I thrive on constantly learning new skills and personal growth so working in an industry so tightly linked with new technologies and the constant change it implies is definitely fulfilling. As a failed animator (I wanted to work for Disney when I grew up) I feel like web design and motion graphics have given me a second chance by combining all my favourite things: design, animation and coding.

What challenges have you faced along the way?

I have experienced sexism of various degrees throughout my career. From being told after leaving a job that I nearly didn’t get it due to being female as I might have got pregnant one day, to having to have my opinions backed up by a male colleague for them to be taken on board. I assumed at the time that it was due to my lack of experience but after nearly 15 years and having a manager who neglected the female members of his team whilst promoting the male ones there were no longer questions on what the real issue was. There is more awareness on sexism in specific industries and globally nowadays but there is definitely still a long way to go to achieve equality.

What advice would you give to girls and young women who are interested in ICT?

Don’t let anyone put limitations on your dreams or try to define your identity for you. Your sex does not set your abilities. Believe in yourself and go for what you want.

HOPE

• LinkedIn

What inspired you to join the ICT industry? 

When in school I originally wanted to pursue a career in computer programming, as I was passionate about technology and wanted to be a part of its evolution. It was when I was studying my A-levels I realised I wanted to follow a more creative path and lent more towards graphic design, as it has many ties to the ICT industry.

What challenges have you faced along the way?

Studying computer science through-out my school years meant I was in a male dominated environment and there was this unspoken pressure put on the few girls there to prove their worth in studying it. It made me realise the importance of women being in the industry to help overcome the childish stereotypes projected on us.

What advice would you give to girls and young women who are interested in ICT?

Don’t let anyone discourage you from pursuing an interest in ICT, there are so many resources to learn from. Girls Who Code and Women in STEM are great campaigns that showcase the endless opportunities there are for women in the ICT/STEM industry and help to influence the next generation.

In conclusion, International #GirlsinICT day is an important initiative that aims to inspire and encourage girls and young women to pursue a career in the dynamic and exciting world of ICT.

Citizen is committed to promoting gender diversity in the industry and creating opportunities for women to thrive and succeed. By sharing the personal stories of our accomplished team of women, Citizen hopes to inspire and motivate the next generation of girls who are interested in this field. These stories highlight the challenges faced along the way, but also emphasise the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and continuous learning.

The future of the ICT industry depends on a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we must all do our part to make that a reality.