The theme to this year’s International Women’s Day is #EachforEqual — where an equal world is an enabled world. This is something that resonates strongly for us at Zone.
We’re very aware that only one in ten IT leaders (1) and just 16% of creative directors are women (2). That’s why we’re working with Creative Equals to drive greater diversity in our business to enable a more inclusive, innovative and happier workforce.
In honour of International Women’s Day, we asked some of our inspirational women at Zone to tell us why more women should join the technology sector. First up, we meet Alix Richards, one of our senior frontend developers.
1. How did you begin your career in technology and was it something you always wanted to do?
I didn’t really know it was a career that was open to me. I studied graphic design at university. Part of my first job after uni involved helping with the company’s website. I wanted to be able to change the site visually past what the CMS would let me do. So I set about reading the internet and making changes to the production site (ah, the naivety!).
It was the best. I knew what I wanted to do, I found the code I needed to do it, and it worked! From there I just wanted to keep learning and solving problems.
2. Technology roles are notoriously dominated by men. Do you notice the lack of women and why do you think this is?
I currently work with lots of incredibly talented female developers but this hasn’t always been the case. In my first development job I was the only female developer in the office and one of two in the business.
I stumbled upon development — which was a fantastic accident because it makes my brain happy and I can’t imagine enjoying another career as much as this. But it was still an accident. I didn’t realise this would be something that was open to me, let alone something that I would be both good at and enjoy so much. I think that this starts with the way we talk to children in schools. We need to make sure that all children, whatever their background, have the freedom to explore all types of careers and can picture themselves in those roles and that we don’t limit them, consciously or unconsciously.
3. What do you find most interesting about the technology sector?
I like that it’s always changing and evolving and you have to adapt along with it.
There is never a point when you stop learning. There’s never a point when it’s still. That’s exciting.
4. During your career, have you ever felt that you were treated differently because of your gender?
All the time! I think now I have the tools and the support to deal with it.
5. Who’s your female role model?
Fictional: Lisa Simpson, Lesley Knope (from Parks and Recreation).
Reality: Basically all of the women who I work with and all the women I am lucky enough to have as friends.
These are people who work hard, stand up for what they believe in, support each other and are kind. I think that goes a very long way in the world.
6. What advice would you give to other women wanting to start a career in tech?
Jump right in! Build things, break things, find the things that make your brain happy. Whatever you make doesn’t need to be perfect first time.
Make it work, then make it work better. And remember to look back at the things you have built in the past to appreciate how much you have learnt.
7. How do you think the technology sector can become more inclusive?
Invest in young people from different backgrounds. The more diverse we are, the better our ideas will be. We’ll learn more and, in turn, technology will serve more people in the ways they need.
(1) https://www.womenintech.co.uk/
(2) http://www.creativeequals.org/
Read more from our Zone Women in Tech series:
Julia Lax, senior frontend developer
Sofia Lara Peyret, junior frontend developer
