Students inspired at Women in Tech event

Female students from schools across Leeds got an insight into the world of technology at a recent Women in Tech event hosted at our Printworks campus.

Employers and industry experts came together on 13 October in aid of Ada Lovelace Day, to celebrate women in STEM fields and highlight the opportunities available in technology.

The event was delivered by the Ahead Partnership (a non-profit organisation which supports disadvantaged young people by connecting them to employment opportunities) to acknowledge the hard work and success of women in tech as well as encouraging young female students to join more STEM fields.

The event kicked off with a speech from Saffy Blellock, former Digital Support Services T Level student at Leeds City College and apprentice at Accenture, who pushed students to take advantage of opportunities in tech. 

She said: “If there’s something you want to do in the future, go for it even if you’re scared.” 

“You come away from the opportunities you’ve taken with even more knowledge, so take every opportunity you’re given with open arms.” 

Students from local schools then got to hear from a panel discussion featuring women with a variety of job roles in the tech industry.

Panellists included Ruth Oni, Senior Data Scientist at Skipton Building Society, Ann Prince, Deputy Head of Business and Finance and Digital and IT at Leeds City College, Salma Firdos, Senior IT Auditor at Skipton Building Society and Megan Bower, Engineering Consultant at Burendo.

The panel discussion delved into the variety of careers on offer in tech fields and debunked common misconceptions about the industry.

Visiting students quizzed the panellists on some of the advantages and challenges of working in technology in the Q&A session.

One member of the panel, Ruth Oni, Senior Data Scientist at Skipton Building Society, emphasised the role of community and collaboration in her role, saying: “There is never any project where you would work in isolation.”

Panellists also highlighted the importance of skills such as communication and adaptability in addition to technical know-how.

Another member of the panel, Megan Bower, Engineering Consultant at Burendo said: “A big stigma in IT is that you’re stuck in a room working on codes. For me it’s the opposite, I really value face-to-face communication.

“There’s a whole community in the tech world, especially for women in tech.”

Throughout the day, the visiting students also experienced workshops, supported by T Level students from our School of Digital and IT.

Anita Emeribe, current Digital Support and Security T Level student and STEM ambassador at Leeds City College, said: “For me, the day was about more than just technology. It was about representation, confidence, and helping young girls see that STEM is a space where they belong too.”

The event showcased the extensive opportunities on offer within tech industries from finance to project management and architecture alongside the importance of representation.

Sukhdeep Virdi, Head of Digital and IT at Leeds City College, said: “The day was a resounding success, filled with great energy, thoughtful questions, and a genuine passion for technology. We are immensely proud to support young women as they explore STEM career paths, and we look forward to hosting more inspiring Girls in Tech events in the future.                                

“Thank you to the Ahead Partnership and everyone across the department and wider organisation who helped make this day such a memorable experience for our visitors.”