EMBRACE YOUR PASSIONS AND DON'T SHY AWAY FROM TAKING RISKS

By: Nichola Banerjee, Regional Marketing Manager – META & CEE, Barracuda

What challenges have you faced as a woman in your industry, and how did you overcome them?

While technology has traditionally been a predominantly male dominated industry, there are organisations that recognise the value of a diverse and equally representative workforce. The Midis group is certainly at the forefront of the space, and I consider myself blessed to have worked in various roles across this organisation through my career. Over these 15 years,

As a result, my overall experience as being a "woman in tech" has been both positive and rewarding. Yes, given the pace of advancement in the industry, working in tech requires a lot of dedication, and this can be challenging for women sometimes.

What advice would you give to young women who are interested in pursuing a career in your industry?

Achieving success in any field demands hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Embrace your passions and don't shy away from taking risks. Keep the right mindset and approach, and you will undoubtedly thrive in the dynamic field of marketing. To build a strong foundation of marketing knowledge, I recommend taking relevant courses.

Marketing also requires a diverse range of skills, including creative thinking, analytical skills, communication, and problem-solving.

What motivates you to continue working, and what keeps you inspired?

Marketing for technology companies is a field that is constantly evolving, which means that staying ahead of the curve and keeping up with the latest trends is critical. The technology industry is one that demands individuals to have a passion for learning and a desire to adapt to change. With technology advancing at a rapid pace, the skills required in marketing are also shifting. While it may be challenging, seeing the impact of your work not only on the growth and success your business, but in the ability for end customers to embrace digital transformation, can be incredibly rewarding.

How do you balance your personal life and work, and what strategies do you use to maintain that balance?

Work-life balance is not a new concept; it simply means etching out appropriate time for your professional and personal life. I believe it’s important to accept that while you might not have the perfect schedule, you can strive to achieve a realistic one. Some days, you might focus more on work, while on others, you might have more time and energy to pursue your hobbies or spend time with your loved ones. Work-life balance is something that is achieved over time, rather than being a goal for each day.

Fostering a work-life balance requires some creativity and discipline and most companies today understand that productivity is measured in different forms for different employees.

What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about women in your industry, and how do you address them?

Given just how much men outnumber women in senior leadership roles in the technology an understandable misconception is that career progress for women in the industry is limited. I however believe this has to do with the historically lower intake of women into the field. The key therefore to addressing this is to encourage girls and young women to take up roles in STEM fields..