It’s often said that the tech industry doesn’t stand still - and in this case, it’s true.
New platforms emerge, ways of working evolve, and expectations change faster than most organisations can keep up with. It’s part of what makes the industry so compelling, but it also means building a career in tech is rarely straightforward.
For women in particular, that journey hasn’t always been easy. Progress is happening, but it hasn’t been consistent everywhere. Experiences vary. Confidence grows over time. And in many cases, the path into leadership looks very different from what people expect.
To mark International Women in Tech Day, I asked some of my colleagues across TIEVA to share their experiences. What excites them about working in tech, what challenges they’ve faced, and what advice they’d offer to others starting out.
To reflect the range of perspectives across the business, I spoke to:
What came through clearly is this: there isn’t one version of a career in tech. But there is a shared sense of momentum, opportunity, and belief in what’s possible.
One theme came up again and again. Tech moves fast - and that’s exactly what draws people in.
Lauren described it simply: “Technology is one of the few industries where learning is part of the job.” Just when something starts to feel familiar, it changes again - a new platform, a new capability, a new way of working. Learning isn’t occasional. It’s continuous.
Sam has seen that same pace play out over decades. For her, the real value lies in what that change enables. As she put it, the “continuous fast-paced nature of the industry and the point of difference it can bring to companies to improve processes for their business, people, and customers.” That ability to create meaningful impact is what keeps it engaging.
From Rachel’s perspective, that constant evolution shows up in the roles themselves. Hiring isn’t static. New positions emerge, expectations shift, and recruitment becomes less about filling gaps and more about building teams that can move a business forward. As she explained, “I’m not just filling roles, I’m helping shape teams that will drive innovation and solve real-world problems for our customers.”
And for Zeena, it’s about shaping the future. She says, “Being part of that momentum where the next idea can genuinely change how people live, work and connect is incredible.”
When I listened to these experiences, one thing stood out. Confidence is rarely a starting point. It’s something that builds over time.
Lauren spoke about the early stages of her career, where the pace of change and the expectation to know everything led to self-doubt. “There can be an expectation, sometimes spoken, sometimes not, that you should always be across everything. Early in my career, that often translated into self‑doubt. I’d sit in meetings or answer the phone, wondering if I knew enough, if I belonged there, or if someone was going to “catch me out.” That imposter syndrome is something many women in tech will recognise, and it can be exhausting.”
The mindset change came when she realised that no one has all the answers. As she put it, “What helped me push through those moments wasn’t suddenly knowing everything, it was realising that no one does. Tech is too broad, too fast‑moving, and too complex for any one person to be an expert in it all. Confidence, I’ve learned, doesn’t come from having all the answers; it comes from being willing to ask questions, stay curious, and keep learning.”
That same shift in mindset came through in Jodie’s experience as well. Early in her career, she felt pressure to know everything straight away, even when it was all new. As she explains, “Over time, that mindset has shifted. I’ve realised that growth comes from asking questions, staying open to learning, and being willing to step outside of my comfort zone.”
Zeena’s experience highlights a different side of that reality. Starting her career nearly two decades ago, she often found herself as the only woman in the room. There were times she felt she had to work twice as hard just to be seen and heard. She described one early meeting where someone laughed during her presentation - a moment that could easily have knocked her confidence.
“I remember really clearly one of the guys even sniggered while I was in the middle of my presentation but I did what I had to do, and we even won the tender but it took a lot of hard work and effort to even be taken seriously let alone be seen as competitive against the other competitors.”
Experiences like that shaped her resilience. As she reflected, “Learning to trust my own expertise, speak up and back myself has been a journey.”
Working in talent acquisition, Rachel sees these pressures from a different angle. She says, “Confidence doesn’t have to mean knowing everything; it's about being willing to learn, ask questions, and put yourself forward for opportunities, even if you don’t meet every requirement. A Hewlett-Packard report found that women typically apply for a job only if they meet 100% of the listed criteria, whereas men apply when they meet around 60%.”
Across all of these experiences, one thing is clear. Women need to advocate for themselves, but also allies who help create the space, support their growth, and back them when it matters.
Lauren highlighted the role of supportive leadership - people who create space to learn rather than expecting perfection. She says, “Having someone say, “You’re doing well - keep going,” or “You don’t need to know everything yet,” can make an enormous difference. Supportive leadership doesn’t just build skills; it builds belief.” That kind of environment changes how people grow and how they see themselves.
Sam’s advice reflects a similar theme. Over her career, learning from others has been critical. Her message is simple but powerful: “Aim high and have a voice.” Not by knowing everything, but by showing up with integrity and confidence. She says, “Over the 31 years I’ve been in IT, I’ve had the privilege of working with and being mentored by some incredible women (and men) who were pioneers in the industry. My advice is to learn from those around you, take the best of what they offer, and put it into practice to meet your own high standards.”
Rachel brought this to life in a more practical sense. She recommends building a strong network of support around you: “Connecting with peers, mentors, and industry communities can open doors, provide support and offer guidance as you navigate your career.”
Jodie also highlighted the impact of the people around her. She says, “Being surrounded by supportive and motivated colleagues, especially other women, has played a big part in building my confidence.”
Briony’s story shows what that can lead to over time. She joined TIEVA 14 years ago as a part-time Sales Admin Assistant. Today, she’s Group CFO. Reflecting on that journey, she described it as a “real ‘pinch me’ moment.”
That progression didn’t come from following a fixed path. It came from being given opportunities, being pushed outside of her comfort zone, and growing into roles she may not have initially seen for herself.
“Never did I imagine that my journey with TIEVA would lead me to where I am today. I remember joining and our MD sending me to networking events to push me out of my comfort zone and improve my confidence. Something that I absolutely hated at the time, I would shy away and sit quietly in a corner…. Blink and I’m now leading an amazing team of 14 highly motivated and inspiring people, whilst supporting continued growth for a £95m turnover business of 200+ employees.”
There’s still work to do in how women and tech are perceived.
One of the most persistent misconceptions is that women aren’t interested in technology or don’t have the capability to succeed in it. Every conversation I had challenged that directly.
Across different roles - technical, commercial, operational, and leadership - the reality is very different. Skills are developed. Confidence grows. And success takes many forms.
Careers in tech are rarely linear.
Rachel sees that every day in how people move across roles and build new capabilities. She says, “Being adaptable and open to new skills, whether that’s technical knowledge or soft skills, will help you stay relevant and confident in your role. And don’t be put off by setbacks or the idea that you need to follow a perfect path. Careers in tech are rarely linear and many people move across roles and departments to progress - it happens at TIEVA regularly!”
Briony’s journey is a clear example of how far that can go.
When I asked what advice they would give to women entering the industry, the responses were consistent.
Back yourself, show up, and value your contribution.
Lauren adds, “Don’t wait until you feel ready. Tech moves too quickly for perfectionism, and opportunities don’t always come neatly packaged. Say yes, even when you’re unsure. Learn as you go. Some of the most rewarding steps in my career have come from taking chances before I felt completely prepared.”
Rachel also spoke about the role of community and support in shaping that journey. Being part of the Champions of Culture and the Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging groups is what brings her real joy - and it’s people like her who are helping create an environment where the next generation of women in tech feel supported, encouraged, and able to succeed on their own terms.
That sense of stepping forward and owning your place in the industry came through strongly in Zeena’s perspective. As she put it, “As a woman in this industry, I'm driven by the chance to bring a different perspective into rooms where diverse voices are crucial. Tech has always been male dominated so being able to contribute my own twist and angle, whether that's through creativity, communication, empathy or problem solving, it feels meaningful. It's an empowering challenge by simply showing up and excelling.”
My own take on this is:
And don’t aim for a perfect path. Because there isn’t one.
The most interesting careers in tech are often shaped by unexpected opportunities, sideways moves, and moments where you step forward before you feel completely ready.
These are just a few perspectives from women across TIEVA.
There are many more voices, experiences, and stories behind the scenes - each one different, each one adding something valuable. That’s what stands out to me most. There isn’t a single way to build a career in tech, and there isn’t a single type of person who succeeds in it.
What matters is having the space to contribute.
From my perspective, that’s where the real value of diversity sits. Different experiences lead to different ideas. Different ways of thinking lead to better outcomes - for our teams, our culture, and the organisations we support.
International Women in Tech Day is a moment to recognise progress, but also to keep moving forward.
Because the industry is still evolving. And the more voices that are part of shaping it, the better it will be.