Heather Campbell: My career in technology
Choosing a career in technology
Growing up, I wasn’t one of those people who knew exactly what they wanted to be when they were older. Once I made it through my studies and established I wasn’t going to be the next Adrian Newey and have a jet-setting career in Formula 1 making race-winning cars, I assumed I’d do a maths degree (this was my favourite subject throughout school, and something I’d always shown a flair for). However, when the time came to select a university course, in the end I picked the only degree choice that didn’t include maths – deciding to do Business Information Technology at Queens University.
As soon as I did my first programming module – I was hooked. I knew I made the right decision, and my placement year only confirmed it for me! I really loved the challenge of designing and developing software, and the satisfaction of delivering something that brought value and direct impact.
Working in the tech industry
Throughout my time working in tech, I’ve always felt incredibly valued across different teams and projects. At the start of my career, the industry gender gap was evident – and I initially found my placement year a little bit daunting as I was the only female student.
This resulted in many hours watching ‘Phoenix Nights’ and 'The Office’ just so I could keep up with the chat during lunch breaks - but once I started to build relationships within my team and with the other placements students, I grew super relaxed and really enjoyed my placement as a result; deciding to return once I graduated.
Working in the tech industry has been an extremely fulfilling career. From solving technical challenges to working at the forefront of innovation, there are endless opportunities to grow and learn new technologies and business domains. No two projects are the same – which means there is always a new challenge to get your teeth into. I’ve benefited from the opportunities it brings to travel and take in new cities and cultures, as well as the flexibility it provides to be able to work from home and perform at a high level, whilst being there for school runs and all the other important mum-things.
Throughout my time in tech, I’ve worked with talented people who have spurred me on to take on challenges and grow in ways I didn’t think possible. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been my experience of returning to work after maternity leave. Having been effectively out of the business for one year, I suffered a huge loss in confidence as it felt like the organisation and technology had moved on at such a rapid rate. If I could go back to that point, I think I’d do some things differently as I shied away from doing certain work that would have been good for me, or pushed me out of my comfort zone.
On the positive side, it made me realise that what had served me at school wouldn’t in the workplace. I needed to take more ownership of my career - promoting my self, my skills and my abilities.
My time at Kainos
I joined Kainos nearly 15 years ago, having previously worked as a placement then graduate student at a telecommunications company. Throughout my time here, I’ve worked across multiple insurance, government and healthcare projects – including Defra, Department for Transport and Welsh Revenue Authority.
On returning to work after having my first child, I moved to a four day working week which gave me the balance and flexibility I needed to be an architect and a mother. Since then, I’ve continued to progress up the architecture route to my current role as a Principal Architect.
To date, my biggest accomplishment within Kainos has been delivering the Contact Tracing and Advisory Service (CTAS) – the Covid-19 contact tracing service in England. This was a huge challenge in terms of fast-paced delivery, with teams working seven days a week to deliver new features to respond to policy changes and gather the information required to manage the outbreak. I take an immense sense of pride in how the team pulled together to deliver the solution and the important role it played in managing the pandemic.
There is a strong sense of community and networking within Kainos – and this is something I’ve really enjoyed being part of throughout my time here. From joining the Charity Committee to being part of the AWS Community Leadership team, our communities each have an incredible, knowledge-sharing culture which empowers, connects and supports our people to flourish and grow.
Developing my career at Kainos
Over the last 15 years, Kainos has continued to encourage my development – both professionally and personally. From participating in formal training like ‘Emerging Leaders’ and AWS certifications, to accessing dynamic coaching and mentorship initiatives, Kainos has helped develop my technical skills, knowledge, application, and qualities – shaping who I am today. By reinventing what's possible through digital innovation, Kainos is an inspiring place to work - with incredible opportunities, projects, talent and global expertise which drive me on to do incredible things every day. As well as that, people really care about each other here; constantly looking for opportunities to help lift each other up.
Why it’s important for more women to join the tech industry
The tech industry offers an amazing range of diverse roles. From software development to cyber security, the opportunities are endless. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know you’ve played a part in delivering meaningful work that has made people’s lives better through technology – talk about having an impact! The projects delivered during Covid-19 were great examples of that. There are so many more roles now compared to when I started, and lots of exciting opportunities to specialise in things like Security, Machine Learning and Data. Whilst I love the more traditional architecture side, that is only one career path out of many – including Product, UX and Delivery.
For people looking a balance between having a fulfilling career and being able to be an amazing parent (without missing the important stuff), the tech industry is a great fit. It provides flexible working and a good income that has allowed me to work part-time without having to compromise. One of my favourite parts of the week is picking the kids up from school on a Thursday and taking them to gymnastics, swimming and football. I don’t underestimate how lucky I am to be able to do that.
Five tips for women just starting their careers in technology
- Explore all of the career options and paths out there. There is something for everyone in this industry.
- Be brave when it comes to opportunities. Your team have faith in you – so make sure you have faith in yourself!
- Don’t judge your career and progression against anyone else. We’re all different – so trust your own journey.
- Find the community that will best inspire and challenge you to keep learning.
- Don’t forget to keep up with the things you like outside of tech which provide balance. For me, that’s yoga, exercise, and time with my family. It helps you keep perspective.
Working in technology has provided me with an interesting and varied career, enabling me to work across a range of technologies and domains. I’ve found it a great environment to work and grow in.
The final
It’s an honour to be a finalist in the FDM everywoman in Technology Awards ‘Digital Star’ category. It's fantastic recognition - and I feel that others have really seen the value of the work I’ve done and effort I’ve put in. I’m looking forward to an uplifting night hearing all the amazing success stories of what the other finalists have achieved. I’m sure it’ll be an inspirational event! Good luck to all the finalists.