If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my career, it’s that there isn’t one “right” path.
Like many women, my career hasn’t followed a carefully mapped-out route. It’s been what many people now describe as a squiggly career. There have been twists, turns, unexpected opportunities, sideways moves, and moments where I’ve stepped into something completely new because it felt interesting, challenging, or meaningful.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change it. Every role, experience, and challenge has taught me something valuable and helped shape who I am today, someone who simply wants to help people.
And I’m exceptionally lucky that my current role as a Business Relationship Manager ticks all my boxes. I get to improve services, lead change, solve problems, bring people together and help them think differently about how digital, data and technology can support better outcomes.
It’s not always easy, and a lot is rooted in building really strong relationships. It takes valuable time and effort to do this well, requiring a lot of patience and resilience.
Today, I’m a Business Relationship Manager within Essex County Council’s Essex Digital Service. It’s a role that’s not always easy to explain, but at its heart it’s about connecting people. The technology itself is important, but the people are what make the difference.
There’s no single route into tech
I didn’t follow a traditional technology pathway, and that’s something I’m proud of.
One of the biggest misconceptions about the technology sector is that everyone arrived through the same door. In reality, some of the best people I’ve worked with have come from backgrounds in operations, customer service, communications, education, healthcare, project delivery, and countless other professions.
My own journey has taught me that technology needs much more than technical expertise alone. It needs people who can build relationships, bring different viewpoints together, ask good questions, challenge assumptions, and help others navigate change.
That’s why I often encourage people not to underestimate the value of the skills they’ve developed throughout their careers.
The transferable skills that matter most
Much of what makes me effective today comes from skills that are transferable across almost any role or sector. Things like:
- Building trusted relationships
- Communication and storytelling
- Problem-solving
- Facilitation and collaboration
- Strategic thinking
- Stakeholder engagement
- Service improvement
- Change management
- Influencing and leadership
These are often described as “soft skills,” but I think that’s doing them a disservice. They’re the skills that help people work together.
Why equality matters
When I think about equality, whether in technology or society more broadly, I think about opportunity. I think about creating environments where people feel they belong, where they can contribute, where their voices are heard, and where their ideas are valued.
Representation matters, but true inclusion goes beyond numbers. It’s about culture. It’s about ensuring that people don’t feel they have to fit a particular mould to be successful. It’s about recognising that talent comes in many forms.
I’ve met so many incredible women throughout my career who bring creativity, empathy, resilience, strategic thinking, and leadership to everything they do. Yet too often, women still question whether they’re qualified enough, experienced enough, or technical enough.
My message would be simple: don’t underestimate what you bring. Technology needs a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives. It needs people who can connect, communicate, collaborate, and lead just as much as it needs the technical side of things.
Showing up for each other
As I’ve progressed through my career, I’ve become increasingly passionate about creating spaces where women can support one another. Not spaces where we’re competing, spaces where we’re sharing experiences, learning from each other, and encouraging one another to take opportunities that might feel outside our comfort zone.
I want to help create environments where we can challenge the status quo, have honest conversations, and support each other to think differently. Some of the most meaningful and life-changing career conversations I’ve had have been about confidence, self-belief, navigating change, and helping someone see their own potential.
I also believe strongly in showing people grace. We all arrive at work carrying different experiences, responsibilities, and challenges that others may never see. A little empathy goes a long way. A little encouragement can change someone’s confidence. A little support can help someone take the next step in their career.
The best workplaces I’ve experienced are those where people genuinely show up for each other, celebrate each other’s successes, and create space for everyone to be themselves.
If, through my work, I can encourage more women into technology, help people recognise the value of their skills, challenge the way things have always been done, and create environments where people feel supported and valued, then I’ll consider that a success.