Hey everyone! I hope my unconventional route into tech will inspire anyone who is also looking into joining the industry. So here goes!
Education
I finished my A-levels in 2015 and studied Applied Science, Psychology and Religious Studies. I went on to study Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Westminster. Fresh out of the graduation hall in 2018, the career switch.
In my last year of university, I realised that the usual clinical route for Neuroscience wasn’t for me. Neuroscience is the study of the Brain, the Mind and Psychology.
One of my modules was on how the brain can be replicated into Artificial Intelligence. Then I started to think, “Hm how can I get into technology?”
Listen guys, I had no prior knowledge of any tech job roles or the different routes that existed. Among my research I landed on Target Jobs (this is a site that posts graduate jobs here in the UK). Each year, they hold an event called ‘IT’s just not for the boys’ and I was lucky enough to be able to attend.
The Realisation
The event was held at Black Rock, a global investment company. Target had a room full of recruiters from many different companies such as Just Eat, Meta Switch and BT, who told me about various roles in technology that I had no idea about. For example being a Software Developer, Data Analyst or a UX/UI Designer.
When I got home, I did some research on what roles interested me, what I could learn and how I could tailor my CV to appeal to a technical recruiter since I was a tech newbie.
My role
So after two months of researching, learning and applying for jobs, I managed to secure my current job as a Test Analyst through my company’s graduate intake! So here’s a summary of my job role:
Let me give you the lowdown; a developer creates a product, this could be a system, app or website of any sort.
Before this is released to the customer/end user, the system needs to be checked for any defects or bugs. This is for Quality Assurance in order to make sure the product is doing what it’s supposed to do and is working correctly.
My role is often referred to as a Tester, Test Analyst or Software Analyst. In some cases my role requires coding knowledge, but this is not the case in all circumstances. I currently work for a Global IT consultancy and have worked with an international law firm as well as global telecommunications companies. As a consultant, I travel to my clients around the UK and stay either in apartments or hotels expensed by my company.
In my graduate role, I have been able to gain my ISQTB official testing qualification, Robotic Process Automation Qualification and other certifications and training to help me in the industry.
Takeaway From This Post
Women are hardly ever encouraged to take up roles on IT and I really have no idea why. Technology is one of the highest paying sectors and women only make up to 16% of the industry.
Remember I had no prior understanding or skills in coding, software development or being a test analyst. There are so many roles out there that are technical and also non technical, but are fundamental to organisations.
Thank you so much for taking the time out to read this post and I hope it has inspired you.
Till the next post !
God bless Love charms x
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