Women In Tech – One To Watch
On Thursday evening past, I had the great privilege to be invited to an evening of networking with future female tech leaders from the recent Women in Tech Awards ‘Ones to watch’ category.
We came together at James Street South Restaurant with an opportunity to connect with likeminded women and hear from guest speakers, Patricia O’Hagan MBE, CEO of Core Systems (NI) Ltd and winner of the Outstanding Woman in Tech Award 2022 and Lorna McAdoo, Director of Operations and Business Development at Version 1.
As an organisation, Women in Business understand the importance of creating and fostering connections and networks. This event certainly did just that. We as women working within the tech industry had the opportunity to meet and chat with other females in similar or very different roles but with the same ambitions. Personally, I believe it is vital for women to engage in networking events like this and more, it is important to reach out and help each other as best we can but also to promote each other for an inclusive working environment.
Women in business is an organisation that is brilliant at facilitating events such as this to give women within various industries and businesses, whether employed or self-employed, to make connections and hear of success stories such as Patricia’s or Lorna’s and the challenged they faced, overcome and the rewards of their hard work and resilience.
The event was very kindly sponsored by VANRATH with several the women nominated in the ‘one to watch’ category from VANRATH. Barbara McKiernan, managing director of VANRATH was also in attendance and she also gave some very inspiring advice to everyone in attendance.
We touched on many very important aspects of developing a career within the tech industry but also on some of the challenges faced by women in business such as mental health and wellbeing, having a work life balance, childcare, juggling many responsibilities as well as maintaining a professional and progressive career. For me it was nice to hear how other women have approached and overcome such challenges and their advice in doing so.
My main take away snap of advice is to look after yourself, maintain yourself and you will be the best version of yourself.
