Let’s be honest – tech still has a reputation problem. For all the innovation and progress, the idea of tech as a ‘man’s world’ hasn’t completely gone away. Girls are still less likely to be encouraged into STEM subjects. Women are still underrepresented across the industry – especially in technical and leadership roles. And when they do make it, the road’s often harder, with more bumps to navigate along the way.
That’s why International Women in Tech Day (4 April) matters. It’s a moment to recognise the women who are not just part of the tech industry – but actively shaping it. From engineers and analysts to project leads and support specialists, women are bringing fresh ideas, energy, and expertise to every corner of the tech world.
At TIEVA, we’re proud to have some brilliant women across our teams. So this year, we’ve handed the mic over. We asked some of our colleagues to share their experiences – how they got into tech, the challenges they’ve faced, and the advice they’d give to others walking a similar path.
Their answers are honest, practical, and inspiring – and they show exactly why diversity in tech isn’t a “nice to have”. It’s essential.
Although more women are entering tech, only 26% of the UK tech workforce are women – and just 19% hold specialist IT roles. The idea that tech is a “male field” hasn’t disappeared. But it’s being challenged – one story at a time.
The women at TIEVA came into tech through all kinds of routes: through curiosity, career pivots, apprenticeships, or simply discovering they were good at it. There’s no single path in – and that’s what makes it so exciting.
Take Alice Swanton, one of our Senior Solutions Consultants. She was studying English Literature at university when a part-time job running the lighting desk at the student nightclub first sparked her interest. That role opened the door to working at festivals like Glastonbury, on Star Wars, and events like the Olympics - leading her to carve out a career in tech. “Looking back, I’ve always had a natural connection with technology. It’s something I find intuitive, and I genuinely enjoy keeping up with new developments.”
For Microsoft Technology Strategist, Sophie Cooper, the path started with psychology. A change management role at the NHS – helping people adapt to new technologies – revealed the pace and potential of the tech world. “I was fascinated by how fast it evolves, the dynamic nature of the field, with its constant innovation and learning opportunities,” she says. “That continuous evolution inspired me to pursue it further.” She’s honest about the ups and downs – moments of self-doubt included – but calls it “incredibly rewarding.”
Natalie Graydon, TIEVA South’s Service Delivery Manager, says her career in IT found her, not the other way around. Starting out in onsite support for the NHS, she grew her skills, took on ITIL training, and moved through various roles into service delivery. “This is something I love,” she says. “Every day is different. It can be tough when things go wrong – but when things go well, it’s a really rewarding job.”
1st Line Engineer, Ellie Whitaker, had initially planned a career in law. “Since I was about 12,” she says. “But after touring universities, I realised that wasn’t the path for me.” She ended up exploring other options – and it was an IT course at college that stood out. “Cut to the end of my 18-month apprenticeship, and I became a 1st Line Engineer on the TIEVA Service Desk.”
Heather Johnston, our Service Desk Manager, meanwhile, started in technical theatre – another industry dominated by men. “I faced quite a few barriers, especially assumptions around physical strength,” she says. But she’d always been drawn to the technical side, and moving into IT opened up new opportunities. “It hasn’t always been easy,” she says, “but it’s a space where I’ve been able to grow.”
What these stories show is that there’s no one ‘right’ way into tech. There’s space for people with different backgrounds, strengths, and starting points. And that’s the point. Tech shouldn’t be seen as a narrow or exclusive path – it should be open to anyone with curiosity, drive, and a willingness to learn.
While the tech industry has made progress, many women still face barriers – some subtle, others not so much. From being underestimated to battling internalised self-doubt, the road can be harder to navigate when you’re in the minority. But as the women at TIEVA show, resilience, confidence, and the right support can make a huge difference.
“I won’t lie to you ladies; the game is rigged against you,” says Alice. “Throughout my career I have been expected to be confident, yet humble – knowledgeable, yet unthreatening – and always working to avoid mistakes. Women who make mistakes aren’t often met with leniency, despite perfection being a fallacy.” What’s helped her push through? “The unyielding support and drive I provide for myself, paired with seeking out those who recognise and support what I’m trying to achieve. Work with your supporters to support them, and you’ll find lasting advocates.”
Sophie touches on something many women can relate to: the pressure to soften your voice. “One of the challenges I’ve faced is the tendency to apologise for speaking out or sharing my ideas,” she says. “It often stems from societal expectations and the underrepresentation of women in the field.” To counter that, she’s focused on building confidence, finding mentors, and advocating not just for herself but for others too. “I’ve found that especially easy at TIEVA,” she adds.
For Natalie, confidence has been key to overcoming moments of being overlooked. “I’ve experienced customers who will direct their questions to a male rather than me,” she explains. “But I’m quite straightforward – I’ll interject and address it directly. Once a customer relationship develops, that behaviour always disappears. But it’s frustrating – it shouldn’t happen in the first place.”
Ellie has faced similar assumptions. “It’s made me feel like I have to work twice as hard just to earn the title of IT engineer and gain respect.” Her way forward has been to double down on development. “I’ve invested time into myself to advance my skills and become a more confident version of myself – someone who isn’t afraid to stand up for what’s needed and assure customers that I can solve their problems.”
And then there’s the work-life balance piece, which Heather highlights. “Women are often the main caregiver, so finding a healthy balance has been a hurdle – though it’s become easier as I’ve progressed.” Like others, she’s also had to work harder to be heard. “You have to speak louder and more confidently – it’s a challenge worth facing to get where you want to be.” She’s even changed how she communicates. “I’ve tried to stop using phrases like ‘Correct me if I’m wrong,’ and using less emotion in conversation to show confidence.”
Together, these experiences reveal a truth that’s hard to ignore: women in tech are often required to prove themselves in ways their male peers aren’t. But they also show that change is possible – through confidence, community, and a refusal to accept the status quo.
If there’s one thing everyone in tech can agree on, it’s this: the learning never stops. New tools, platforms, threats, and trends emerge constantly, and keeping up is essential.
For many of the women at TIEVA, staying current means building learning into the everyday, and not always relying on formal training programmes to do it.
“Self-learning is critical,” says Alice. “But it can be a struggle.” She makes a point of signing up to industry media and events to keep abreast of new and disruptive technologies, but also turns to less traditional spaces. But it’s not just about staying on top of tech. For Alice, planning and task prioritisation are equally vital. “Technology design and integration is a pressured environment – multiple tasks can interrupt your focus without warning. For me, the key is not how fast I can handle them all, but how well I can prioritise what matters most.”
Sophie takes a mixed approach too. Her learning focuses on core areas like M365, while keeping an eye on future-facing trends like AI and machine learning. “I attend conferences, webinars, and read industry publications – it helps me stay informed and adaptable.”
Heather also keeps her finger on the pulse by attending tech events, seminars, and using LinkedIn – but adds: “Reddit is probably my favourite place to learn about future tech.”
Ellie agrees – her go-to sources include LinkedIn, Reddit, and news feeds. She also highlights the value of team sharing. “I read articles the Service Desk team send around, especially about security concerns.”
Natalie keeps it simple: “LinkedIn is always good for this,” she says – a quick way to stay up to date with what others in the industry are seeing, sharing, and discussing.
What’s clear from all of their approaches is that staying ahead in tech doesn’t require one perfect method – it requires curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to seek out knowledge wherever it lives. Whether it’s formal events, trusted colleagues, or a Reddit rabbit hole at 11pm, it all counts.
While more women are entering tech than ever before, inclusion is about more than just numbers. It’s about feeling heard, supported, respected – and having equal access to opportunities at every level.
“For me, the change must come from the top,” says Alice. “Women need to be encouraged to enter more engineering and technical disciplines, not just expected to fall into traditional sales or admin roles. If we see more of the current generation of women – the ones who’ve fought to stay in tech – promoted into senior positions, the playing field will start to even out.” She’s optimistic, though. “Thankfully, in many places I do see the beginnings of this.”
Sophie points to a wider set of changes needed across the industry: “We need enhanced mentorship and sponsorship programmes, flexible working arrangements, bias training to build inclusive cultures, equal opportunities for progression, more women in leadership, early support for STEM education – and more spaces for community and networking.” All of these, she says, play a part in “closing the gender gap and building a diverse, dynamic workforce.”
For Ellie, it’s also about role models - and not just women. She says: “We need more events aimed at young girls to help ignite the spark interest in IT early on, so they’re not afraid to pursue it later in life. They need to see that women are in this field, and that they’re holding the torch for the next generation.” She also highlights the need for allies, men who will champion women in the industry.
Heather echoes that sentiment. “We need more men to support us, or at the very least give us space to grow,” she says. Her experience has included being spoken over or dismissed, only to see the same idea validated when voiced by a man.
Natalie acknowledges that change can vary from workplace to workplace. “This is a difficult one,” she says. “I’ve always found my colleagues to be inclusive – but I know that’s not always the case everywhere. Everyone should feel like they can do whatever job they want to.”
These experiences highlight the need for action on multiple fronts – from systemic change at the top to everyday interactions that either include or exclude. Real inclusion isn’t just about hiring more women – it’s about making sure they have the support, visibility, and respect they need to thrive.
If you’re a young woman thinking about a career in tech – or trying to figure out how to grow in it – you might already know the path isn’t always smooth. But the women at TIEVA have been there, and their advice is clear: you belong here. And not only that – you can thrive here.
“Be confident in your abilities and never stop learning,” says Sophie. “Seek out mentors and allies who can support your growth, and don’t be afraid to take on challenging projects. Networking is key – get involved in industry communities, and remember: your perspective is valuable. You can drive meaningful change.”
Ellie is honest about what it feels like early on. “It will be intimidating at first, and you may feel like you don’t belong – this is coming from someone who started at 17 on an all-male service desk,” she says. “But surround yourself with the people who are good and kind and willing to teach. Believe in yourself – imposter syndrome is normal, but it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be where you are.”
Natalie echoes that confidence. “You can do whatever you want,” she says. “It is quite rare to find women in tech; however, I have had some amazing female role models in this industry. It makes a difference. And for my daughter, I make sure she knows the same: nothing is off-limits.”
Heather urges women to widen the lens. “Women in tech doesn’t have to mean working in IT,” she says. “There are so many roles that have been seen as male spaces – and now, more than ever, we need to lead the next generation to break those boundaries.”
Alice’s advice is to, “Pick a tech area you actually enjoy, and stick with it. Natural interest is the key to staying focused and staying curious.” She also says: “Appreciate your wins, no matter how small. Share your knowledge – don’t gatekeep. And never, ever talk down your women colleagues to fit in. Lift them up.”
She adds: “Not knowing something doesn’t mean someone can’t learn it. Go into every situation with that mindset – it works both ways. And one more thing: the generations before you had to take the shit, so you don’t have to. Don’t accept that behaviour. Call it out. Shut it down.”
And to the male colleagues, managers, and mentors reading this – you have a role to play too. Champion the women you work with. Pass the mic. Share the credit. Make space at the table, then pull up more chairs!
