Jasvinder Brar: BT graduate
Employer: BT
University: City of London University
Subject: BSc business computing
I enjoyed my technical degree but, when thinking about my career, I wanted to have a business role that provided plenty of contact with people. My placement year with a consulting company provided experience of working life and taught me business knowledge and people skills.
More women are joining the IT industry: organisations like mine are keen to attract graduates from all backgrounds
Stepping up to challenges
My organisation develops telecommunications for consumers and businesses: I work in a division called BT Operate. My role involves looking at systems and platforms, checking that they are running effectively and making sure that back-ups are in place. I manage improvement projects to maximise productivity by ensuring that processes are efficient. I work with operational managers, people in finance and retail managers: people across all levels of the business. Although it varies across each team, on my current project there are only 2 women and around 30 men. When I first joined I felt intimidated and worried that I wouldn’t be listened to. Making myself chair team meetings and do presentations – the things I found difficult – has given me confidence.
Bringing alternative skills
Women see things differently to men and offer alternative skills. At my organisation we like to have at least one woman on each project in order to provide a female perspective. When it comes to things like maternity leave they are also very accommodating. It’s important to find a company that is supportive – I know women working at other organisations who prioritised having a family and suffered at work as a consequence.
More women are joining the IT industry: organisations like mine are keen to attract graduates from all backgrounds. It makes for a more rounded workforce. As a business sector IT is so varied – the potential for women to gain high-level jobs is massive. There are roles for everyone, not just for those from a technical background and women are getting involved in every area. I hope to progress to a director position within my department and believe that anything is possible as long as I’m motivated and know what I want.