Rank Group Plc – Remia Mathew, Solutions Architect

We interviewed Remia Mathew, Solutions Architect at Rank Group Plc. on her experience and thoughts on women in tech.

1. What does your job role involve?

• Leading the technical design process for projects to ensure that technical solution designs are of high quality, make appropriate use of emerging technology and support the strategic goals of the business.
• Developing, communicating, maintaining and governing the overall architecture of technology solutions, identifying and owning key architecture decisions.
• Consulting with senior business and IT stakeholders to create technology roadmaps for delivering strategic digital and omni-channel capabilities.

2. What made you choose a career in technology?

• I was always a technology enthusiast thinking of ways to apply technology to make ideas work

3. Did you study an IT or technology related subject at A-Level or University?

• I did my Bachelor of Technology degree in Information Technology

4. Did you get any work experience in IT or technology before this role?

• I started as a software developer, then progressed to technical lead, then technology consulting and business analysis before becoming a Solutions Architect

5. Do you think there is a lack of females in the IT and tech sector?

• Yes, definitely. I have always noticed the lower number of women especially in senior technical roles. Typically, in senior technical meetings I have been in, there would be 1-3 women compared to 10 -12 men.

6. Do you find there is a stereotype that a career in IT or technology is just for men?

• To an extent, it is seen as natural for men to take up technology roles, whereas women are perceived as ‘special’ when they are in technology career. However, I have not felt any personal discrimination yet based on my gender with my technology career and my current employer and previous employers have given me equal opportunity.

7. What would entice women to study technology related courses?

• The change in perception that women doesn’t have to be ‘special’ to take up technology. I think in some cultures, being smart or being interested in technology is not always associated with being ‘girly’. Highlighting successful women in technology will help to change this perception.

8. Are there barriers when it comes to women getting into tech?

• I don’t think there are any barriers for women to get into tech other than the social and individual perspective. For a woman who is interested in getting into technology there are lots of opportunities to start and grow.

9. How could we encourage more women to start a career in tech?

• Highlighting successful women in technology, mentoring programs for women and working with schools and universities to encourage more women to learn, know and try technology will help. We need to actively work to challenge the stereotypes and make it more natural for women to choose technology as career.