By Lucy Grimwade
➡ This article isn’t about the ‘well-known’ tech roles we see like coding or engineering.
✅ This is about the skillsets and roles that are so integral within technology, yet are not talked about enough.
They are usually coined as “softer skills” because they are less technical, more people and process driven.
But, these roles... they JFDI. From progressing their people to aligning budgets. These skills are required for the fundamental success of any IT department thus, a successful organisation.
I am talking about Service Delivery, Customer Service and Strategy.
Change, Transformation and Improvements.
Projects Management, Business Analysis and Design.
We often miss the point when we talk about Women in Tech. We are so busy pushing that technical agenda we forget about the other side of the coin.
We all know that we are crying out for women to explore a career in tech.
But, I can’t help to wonder, are we putting women off STEM subjects because we are too fixated on the coding and technical elements? And, what about the women who don’t want to do the technical stuff but find the industry fascinating?
Skill gaps
Beyoncé said “If people in powerful positions continue to hire and cast only people who look like them, sound like them, come from the same neighborhoods they grew up in, they will never have a greater understanding of experiences different from their own. They will hire the same models, curate the same art, cast the same actors over and over again, and we will all lose."
You said it Bey! 🐝
The same applies within technology. If we continue to hire the same type of people, from the same degree type and university, and so forth. We will never have a diverse teams.
If we continue to play the same tune that to work in tech you need to have Computer Science Major or be able to code and create an app. We will just end up with a team full of techies who have specific mindset which is often very focused on problem solving and fixing. Not a bad thing, but what do you see what is missing?
We also need:
People Management 💡 Servant Leaders to maximise the team capacity and ability.
Support and maintenance 🚀 Increase Service Delivery capabilities to structure key processes, support end-users and even look at budgets.
Process 🔁 Invoke a Continuous Improvement mentality. Streamlining and creating processes that are fit for purpose so teams can be: efficient, effective, and productive.
Implementation ⚡ Have a strong team of Project Managers to implement the new service/software/product/programme…
Strategy 🎬 Taking the business and teams on a journey with change and transformation.
These are just a handful of skills and roles that make up a successful IT tower.
What would you add?
Stop holding us back!
Reflecting on the roles I have held throughout my career. I realised, that I was never offered opportunities to step into Project Management or even Service Delivery (that I had to do myself). I was constantly forced down a route of engineering or third line level programming. And, in turn, it made me incredibly miserable. It wasn’t playing to my strengths or values. I was so lost at one point, I looked to leave the career path I was on, to do a role outside of the IT department.
I know I am not alone. I have read articles and heard similar stories. And, the number one phrase I hear when coaching and mentoring Women in Tech is “I can’t do ‘this’, because I am not technical enough!”
‘This’ tends to be applying for an IT Project Management job or feeling like an imposter when working with someone who only talks in code (you know who you are).
However the underlying causes often comes back to 2 career crumbling things:
Poor line management: If you have worked or are working for someone who isn’t an out of the box thinker, bit of a narcist and has-been-promoted-into-a-role-they-aren’t-ready-for… then you are not going to even have the confidence to explore your tech career options (trust me, I’ve been there).
➡ If this is you, I would invite you to explore mentoring or coaching or even counselling.*
2. There isn’t enough knowledge out there: Do you ever find yourself reading an article that is full of jargon or attending event where everyone is basically an app developer? Well, that’s going to put you off as you can’t see yourself in that world.
➡ If this resonated with you, I recommend checking out networking events to expand your tech career knowledge. *
*Resources?
Mentoring, Coaching, Counselling:
Mentoring: Women of ITSM Scheme
Coaching: Join our group coaching calls.
Counselling/Therapy: Speak to your GP about your options.
Networking events:
Women of ITSM events, obvs!
Checkout Meet-up for localised events.
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