We interviewed Rebecca Vickery, Associate Data Scientist at Holiday Extras on her experience and thoughts on women in tech.
- What does your job role involve?
Transforming our data into useful analysis and data products to answer business questions and aid decision-making.
- What made you choose a career in technology?
I have a passion for data and love writing code.
- Did you study an IT or technology related subject at A-Level or University?
No, I studied Life Sciences at University but took a temporary web tech role after completing my degree. This was my first introduction to writing code and led me in a round about way to my current role.
- Did you get any work experience in IT or technology before this role?
I started out in a website maintenance role in a small company many years ago, working with php and html.
- Do you think there is a lack of females in the IT and tech sector?
I think this is improving, but yes I think there is still a distinct lack of women in this sector. This is often most starkly apparent when I attend conferences in my field.
- Do you find there is a stereotype that a career in IT or technology is just for men?
I think that there is particularly amongst people who don’t work directly in this field. I have personally encountered people expressing surprise when I tell them what I do, or automatically assuming that I work in a non-tech role.
- What would entice women to study technology related courses?
More female role models in the field, particularly at leadership level.
- Are there barriers when it comes to women getting into tech?
I don’t think there are any barriers. I have found that actually there is a huge amount of support and resources already out there. I think it is more of a societal barrier.
- How could we encourage more women to start a career in tech?
Promotion of women already in the field. I also think programs that start early in school to encourage girls to study STEM subjects.
