We interviewed Nia Harvey, Senior Category Manager at Police Digital Service on her experience and thoughts on women in tech.
I procure high value goods and services for Police Digital Service and wider digital National Policing Programmes and Projects.
The digital space is constantly evolving with new technology emerging at lightning pace. I found this fascinating and something that would offer a real challenge within my career. I really wanted to be at the heart of shaping the future as opposed to playing catch up to it.
I studied IT as a GCSE topic at school, but sadly never took this further.
I’d previously worked within a procurement setting but not in the IT sector.
Yes, it is unfortunate, but sadly this is the reality of the IT and technology sector.
I don’t think there is a stereotype, I just don’t think it necessarily appeals to women. When people think of an IT career, the image conjured is usually the stereotypical isolated person working on their own in a windowless room staring at a computer screen. I don’t think the vast amount of technology careers are well known to women and what a career in IT could actually mean.
If we could paint a picture of how technology is being used in a wide variety of organisations and what a career in technology could entail, not necessarily the usual desk job, I think it would give women food for thought.
I’d like to think that in 2023 there isn’t any bias associated with women applying for a technology/IT position. I think that women have an inherent disbelief in their ability when a sector is male dominated and suffer more with imposter syndrome. It’s this lack of confidence that we need to eradicate so that women feel empowered to apply for technology positions, feeling no different to their gender counterpart.
By providing women with confidence in their ability and to change the way women see technology careers. An IT career is often depicted in a very ‘beige’ way, we need to bring ‘colour and contrast’ to the world of IT and technology.
Whenever you feel a lack of confidence in your ability or you start to feel you don’t have the skills for the task. Pause, acknowledge the feeling, reflect on your ability and what you have contributed so far, talk it out with someone close to you, and most importantly be kind to yourself. Then go and BOSS IT!