A Voice for Diversity in Tech

Overview
Interviews & Stories

Overview

Overall, the STEM sector is continuing to grow at a rapid rate. Since 2017, core STEM employment had increased by 6.3%, which equates to more than 6 times that of the total rise in the UK’s overall employment rate. However, currently 22% of STEM positions in the UK are filled by Women, and when looking only at the Tech industry, on 17% of positions are filled by Women.

35% of STEM students were Women in 2018 according to Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, up 50% from the year before, so slowly increasing, but we need to look beyond Higher Education and at the bigger picture.

Everyone is aware that Women are currently underrepresented in the UK technology sector, this blog is capturing the industry from a woman’s perspective, but also from an HR, Leadership and Career perspective.

At SR2 we spend our days speaking to Tech professionals both in and out of work, students, entrepreneurs and companies about what they are doing to attract, retain and promote Female talent in the UK and beyond, and we want to use this platform to share and promote that.

Women in Technology find themselves outnumbered and often marginalized. We are confident that if we are working together and shouting loud enough, we can transform the industry and create a positive movement!

One thing we ask for everyone reading this is don’t be naïve to think this isn’t happening. OR that this isn’t something that needs to be talked about and improved upon, because it does, and we all need to work together to improve it.

Women Rock was founded by Alicia Teagle, a Woman in technology, also working in a male dominated environment, albeit in a slightly different capacity being IT recruitment. Please join the group, please share with your friends, family and colleagues, if you have a story to share then let’s hear it.

A Message from Alicia

Hey all, I’m Alicia an IT recruiter from Bristol, Yes you heard it, I’m a recruiter. I hope you soon get to realise that we are not all the same, but I won’t bore you with any “blah blah blah” about why I’m different – because this isn’t about me, (well, some of it is), but this is for all the Women in IT, this is for you and this is for us.

Over the last 8 years, I have been a huge supporter for diversity in the tech but always felt I could do so much more, and this is the start of my more. I love to build new relationships every day and in starting this blog I have the backing of some of the UK’s best companies who are supporting this with me, and you’re all invited to join.

Included in this blog will be our conversations with underrepresented folk. We will discuss their successes, their struggles, challenges, and their frustrations about the IT industry from their perspective. I am also a STEM ambassador within schools, promoting the next generation in tech. Also the organiser of Bristol Codebar, our goal is to enable minority group member to learn programming in a safe and collaborative environment and expand their career opportunities. To achieve this, we run free regular workshops, one off events and try to create opportunities for our students making technology and coding more accessible. We also speak with different companies to investigate and showcase what they are doing to help attract, retain and promote diverse talent within their business. There is a lot of really good stuff going on in the industry, I just don’t think we are sharing it and shouting about it enough so that others can follow suit.

I am super passionate about Bristol, with it being my home and the place I spent most of my time recruiting within so I want to create a community of strong ass folk in Bristol a city that champions diversity. But we are not stopping there! I’ll leave you with my favourite quote ‘’ No matter where you are in life, inspire and empower the women around you. Success is never reached alone. And, wisdom and wealth are sweeter shared.’’ #womenrock

Lots of Love

Alicia x

A Voice for Diversity in Tech

Overview

Interviews & Stories

An interview with Serrie Chapman

An interview with Debbie Forster MBE

Find your inner Sasha!

Never let the setbacks stop you from reaching your goals. An interview with Siena & India

You can develop skills but you can’t train a personality, a Bristol success story

Life does not ask what we want it presents us with options. An interview with Rachel Reveley

Incorporating women and tech to achieve something great! An interview with Gapsqaure

Women have to harness their power – it’s absolutely true. It’s just learning not to take the first no. And if you can’t go straight ahead, you go around the corner.’

I can’t do it by myself we need to do it together! An interview with Eriol Fox

Meet our Ambassadors.

Don’t stop following your path, no matter what others will tell you. An Interview with Karen Copley

This is my shot to do what I want to do! An interview with Genesis Self-Fordham

Always remember that nobody in this industry knows everything. An interview with Rachel Baker & Rocketmakers

Never be afraid to stand out from the crowd (says the mum with blue hair). An interview with Emma Hopkinson-Spark

Get stuck in and give the tech industry a try! An interview with Ruth Waterfield

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. An interview with Kate Jones

Role Model Ladders – A concrete path to getting more women in technology.

Take a chance, life is a chance! The person who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare – An interview with Jaycee Cheong

No Ache, No Cake – An interview with Lisa Matthews

It’s definitely a whirlwind in the tech industry as it is ever evolving and changing, but I absolutely love it! – An interview with Georgina Hopkinson

The woman making change happen – An interview with Simone Bartley

Women Rock – Celebrating Success.

Can I have a pay-rise please?

I spot opportunities and make sure I take them – An interview with Frances Burton

No one said it would be easy – An interview with Nathalie Alpi

Treat Yo Self – An interview with Jess Saumarez

Trust your own Brilliance

‘Be Fearless’ – An Interview with Carly Dyson

She Can She Did – An interview with Fiona Grayson

‘Believe in yourself and assert yourself’ An interview with Helenna Vaughan-Smith

“You only live once but, if you get it right, once is enough” – An interview with Georgia Stewart

‘Do or do not, there is no try’ An interview with Claire Rogers

Go for it! Have confidence in your ability – An Interview with Corinne Sherman

Women Rock 2018 ‘I can, I will ….. watch me!’

‘Be confident in the fact you are a woman’ – An interview with Holly Nolan

Codebar Bristol

“When you have exhausted all the possibilities, remember this – you haven’t” – An interview with Will Hardman, Elucidata.

People acting together as a group can accomplish things which no individual acting alone could ever hope to bring about.

“There are still many causes worth sacrificing for, so much history yet to be made.” – An interview with Gill Cooke

“Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination” – An interview with Charlotte Bella

‘Dad Jokes’ – An interview with the team at Huggg

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” – An interview with Michelle Brideau.

“If you are always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.” – An interview with Gina Fielding

“Don’t try to be ‘one of the lads’.” – An interview with Layla Porter

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – An interview with Laura Fritzsche

“Everything happens for a reason.” – An interview with Verity Foss

“You can do anything, but not everything!” – An interview with Clare Ross

“If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” – An interview with Helena Dite

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” – An interview with Afroditi Konidari

One woman can make a difference but together we can rock the world!

“You can either watch it happen or be a part of it” – An interview with Rida Zainab

”Be yourself and lead by example!” – An interview with Sarah Rudston

“To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom” – An interview with Lloyd Watkin

Bristol named best city for women in business – by Hannah Baker, Bristol Post Business Editor

“Rule your mind, or it will rule you” – An interview with Jana Dowling

“All she could do for all of them was be herself, here and now, as hard as she could.” – An interview with Bruce Hughes

Making Shit Better

Mayden Academy Diversitech Fund

“One can never have enough socks” – Meet our newest team member Sophie Edensor

Carly in Tech

“The important thing is not to stop questioning.” – An interview with Jacqueline Rodríguez-Pérez

“Do coding for yourself” – an interview with Sian Richards

Festival of Female Entrepreneurs 2019 ‘Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you, have energy self-belief, determination and be the very best that you can in your own way.’

Coding, Rugby, Pub? Pub – An Interview with Sarah Cronk

“Melting pot of cultures, ethnicity, socio-economic backgrounds, religion, language, gender, orientation, age!” – An Interview Katie Andrews

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – An Interview Tiffany Dawson

“Don’t get lost in the sauce.” – An interview with Alice McNeil

WTF ……………. is networking?!

The amount of respect you have for others is in direct proportion to how much respect you have for yourself. Respect everyone! – An interview with Hannah Biggs

”Rocking around the Christmas Tree” – Soz

Strength lies in differences. not similarities. Women Rock 2019

“First make it work. Then make it good. Then make it fast.” – An interview with Sarah Beharry

“Designer by day, Illustrator by night” – An interview with Kiwani Dolean.

“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities” – An interview with Muge Ersoy.

“Blend in with the rest when needed, stand out as required and be able to adapt to meet shortages”- An interview with Liz Simmonds.

“It’s up to you how far you go. If you don’t try, you will never know!”- An interview with Ana-Maria

Random.