Meet Princess Balogun, Software Developer Apprentice at Experian
National Apprenticeship Week (w/c 10th February) is the perfect time to spotlight the incredible opportunities available to those starting their careers in technology. Apprenticeships provide a unique route into the industry, allowing individuals to gain hands-on experience while developing technical skills that set them up for success.
At Experian, apprenticeships play a key role in nurturing future talent, and Princess Balogun is a fantastic example of how this pathway can lead to exciting opportunities in tech. As a Software Developer Apprentice, Princess is building her expertise in AI automation, Python, and data analysis—while also breaking down barriers for women in tech.
In this case study, Princess shares her journey into tech, her experience as an apprentice, and her advice for young women looking to start their careers in the industry.
1. What does your job role involve?
My role entails reporting (building dashboards and analysing them to report to buyers), using AI tools to build automations and trying to incorporate Python into the automations.
2. What made you choose a career in technology?
I’ve always had a curious mind and wanted to try something I had never done before – I’d heard multiple times that you can gain many transferable skills from working in tech, and also use the technical knowledge taught for personal successes too, so this definitely attracted me to pursue a career in tech.
3. Did you study an IT or tech-related subject before working in tech?
No I didn’t, but I did do one year of undergraduate computer science at university before transferring to this degree apprenticeship.
4. Did you get any work experience in this field before this role?
Yes I completed an online software development bootcamp. You can find free work experience on Springpod and Forage to gain some skills.
5. Do you find that there is a lack of females in the tech sector?
I feel as though there used to be, but when looking at my company Experian, they’re hiring more and more female tech workers every year so it has balanced out. There are also a lot more resources to help more women get into the tech field in general, increasing the number globally, like Code First Girls.
6. Are there barriers when it comes to women getting into tech?
I think the main barriers are the stereotypes that we expect to see before joining tech, because it is viewed as male dominated and this can be quite intimidating. In addition to this, since there is still a lack of female mentors, women looking to get into tech may feel isolated and believe that success in tech is hard, but to combat this there are tech groups that you can join online and it’s great to see more female leaders in roles!
7. How can we encourage more women to get into tech and what advice would you give to young women at the start of their career?
We need to introduce STEM subjects to girls at a younger age and highlight how the industry is evolving to be more inclusive. Creating supportive networks specifically for women in tech is also key.
My advice to them is to not doubt their abilities because imposter syndrome is very real, and everyone has had it at some point in their career, even the CEOs! If you need support, speak to your manager or someone you can trust within your company. Another tip would be to network with other women in tech through events and LinkedIn. My final tips would be to not be afraid to fail, be resilient and be open to continuous learning.
Princess’ journey into tech highlights the value of apprenticeships in opening doors to rewarding careers, even for those without a traditional IT background. Her passion for learning, resilience, and drive to break down barriers for women in tech make her an inspiring role model. As more companies like Experian embrace apprenticeships and continue to champion diversity in technology, we hope to see even more women take the leap into the industry and thrive.
