We interviewed Banor Kofi-Ofuafor, Technology Analyst at Invenics Limited on her experience and thoughts on women in tech.
1. What does your job role involve?
I deal with large amounts of data to produce exception handling, file handling and data quality management within SAP Data Intelligence using Python. I also work with Robotic Process Automation and help create demos.
2. What made you choose a career in technology?
I had studied ICT until I reached university, it was one of my favourite subjects. After graduating from a business degree, I still felt drawn towards technology so I googled ‘easy programming languages’ and from there taught myself Python and SQL. Everything around us is centred in technology so I feel technology is the forward.
3. Did you study an IT or technology related subject at A-Level or University?
Yes, I studied ICT in GCSE, Applied ICT in A-Levels and Business Analysis and Technology module in University.
4. Did you get any work experience in IT or technology before this role?
Yes, as part of a university course I had the opportunity to solve an upcoming mobile application’s problem as a business consultant – they wanted to monetise data. It was the first time I had heard of big data and I learnt that you could make money from data in many more ways than just straight up selling it.
5. Do you think there is a lack of females in the IT and tech sector?
Yes, I think so, in my company there are less women than men and also when you interact with clients as well, you are mainly encountering men. There is always room for more women.
6. Do you find there is a stereotype that a career in IT or technology is just for men?
I haven’t experienced this. But I do see that more men are working in technology careers.
7. What would entice women to study technology related courses?
I think more knowledge about these courses, what they entail, what they could learn, the career paths they lead to would increase the amount of women who study technology courses.
8. Are there barriers when it comes to women getting into tech?
I haven’t experienced any.
9. How could we encourage more women to start a career in tech?
I think that we could be encouraged more before university, so from GCSE/A-levels. This will give us a head start into a career in tech, a lot of times the ratio of women to men in university doing STEM courses is very low. Encouragement could include networking events, presentations, Q&As for women in tech. There could also be more marketing in places that women will be, in person or online.
10. What advice would you give to young women at the start of their career?
There are so many avenues to go into, so do your research and choose something you think you will enjoy. However, you can always switch lanes within tech so just because you made a decision, it doesn’t confine you to it. Enjoy the ride and work hard!
