As of 2022, women make up 26% of the tech industry workforce, a figure that is slowly seeing signs of uplift through investment in education and awareness.
Here at Freestyle we are passionate about having equal opportunities for all and we’re lucky enough to have incredibly talented women working in lots of different roles within our digital agency. From Frontend development to UX strategy and project management, embracing equity within our team allows us to ensure that we have a diverse range of thinking and experiences when it comes to working with our clients to reach their business goals.
We spoke with our Frontend Web Developer Gina Cooper to hear about her experience in tech and the advice she’d give to anyone looking to start their career.
What does your job involve?
I work as a Frontend Web Developer which involves quite a wide range of tasks, for example: building / maintaining websites and apps for clients, staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends and collaborating with designers and other developers.
What made you choose a career in technology?
I have always been fascinated by the way that computers and technology work. As a child, I spent a lot of time playing around with computers, which led to a natural interest in pursuing a career in something tech-related. I was introduced to coding during my final years at High School and I chose Web Development as my university course because I genuinely enjoyed it and seemed to be a good career choice.
What was your experience like when you started your career in tech development?
My experience at the start of my career was great, I had a lot of support from friends, family and colleagues. I agree that I have had limited female diversity in my work and educational environments, but I don't think this has negatively affected me, if anything it has taught me to be bold, stand up for myself and even encouraged some of my girl friends to join tech industries as well!
What advice would you give to women at the start of their tech career?
- Never stop learning.
- Stay positive and be open to opportunities.
- Back yourself and always speak up when you need to!