My Journey From School Girl To Business Owner

I didn’t have the usual route into the technology industry. I didn’t attend university, but instead took a more ‘hands-on’ experience led approach to learning and progressing my career. I think it is very important to get the message across to those still in education that university is not the only way to achieve your career goals and that the path you take is never a straight one. 

After being denied entry into the Royal Electrical and Mechanical engineers at 16 on medical grounds, I attended college and studied Physics, Electronics, Maths and IT. It was whilst I was still at college, I was offered a part time role at a recently created satellite communications company, which is where my career started. 

Once I had completed my A -levels I was offered a full-time role at the company with the opportunity to complete a HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering one day a week. Needless to say I took the role and spent the next 3 years working, developing my knowledge and skills in the work place, whilst reluctantly attending college 1 day a week.

I had always had a very inquisitive and problem solving mind, and during the early years I was able to explore and develop many of these skills working on a variety of IT, networking and communications systems. I was introduced to customers, manufacturers and various communication providers. This not only enabled me to grow my technical skills but also my customer understanding and a more personable approach for building professional relationships.  

Over the years I learned loads, gained vital experience and travelled all over the world. I was promoted to manage a small team initially, that had previously managed me, which proved challenging as a young woman in a male dominated environment. I overcame the challenges over time and by working to understand the individuals within the team. More promotions followed and I was given the opportunity to build and grow the whole technical team as well as the technical offerings of the company and manage high value complex projects. I went from quite honestly a general ‘dogsbody’ to Engineer to Manager – heavily involved in all aspects of the company operation at every level.   

Following a Private Equity investment, I was offered the position of Chief Technical Officer. At this time I had visions and ambitions for building the company further to make sure it remained a key solutions provider with a high standard of support for the wide customer base, however the other board members did not have the same vision. At this time I also suffered some personal health issues and I decided to leave the company 2 years into this role. 

3 years after leaving, I have created my own business, providing consultancy and technical guidance services to a range of clients globally within a wide spectrum of industries. I have now worked with the United Nations, Medical Equipment Manufacturers and Renewable energy providers to ensure vital, sometimes life changing, data is available no matter the location in the world. I often find the people and solutions I need to design satellite communications for alot more interesting than the satellite system itself!

I also now know the importance of making time for yourself, and that having a day off or going on holiday does not mean your career will stop. In more recent years I have taken up surfing, motorbikes and climbing- all things historically I did not have time for. These hobbies have helped me to challenge myself whilst enabling me to have some much needed downtime in a positive way.

I feel very lucky to have worked with so many talented and passionate people over the years, and have learnt many things from them. I love working with people that challenge and question your perspective, as this is the best way to learn, grow and change the world. As a leader and company founder, I think it is essential for the innovative positive growth of the technology industry, to find, encourage and support future generations in different ways. There is a big untapped talent pool out there that just needs a small chance to make a big difference.