Women in the spotlight: Lauren Taylor
A summary of your role and time at Kainos
I started at Kainos as a Trainee Placement Software Engineer on Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals service followed by Civil Service. I then went back to university to finish my final year of Computer Science at Queen’s University Belfast, before returning to Kainos as an Associate Software Engineer. Since then, I’ve delivered software to Her Majesty’s Land Registry and more recently the NHS Digital Covid-19 Testing project. I’ve also been heavily involved in Kainos Inspire, our women’s network. As their Duty Chair, I’ve organized several live panel events, strategised our annual action plan and worked with closely the community to gather feedback.
Who is your biggest role model and why?
I credit my biggest role model to every woman in tech who’s paved their career before me. I surround myself with inspiring women, whether that be close friends or those in leadership positions excelling their roles and uplifting those around them. Without these women, I wouldn’t have known what I was capable of and the opportunities available to me.
Why did you choose a career in tech?
I chose a career in tech because it’s the forefront of innovation, and as technology progresses and becomes more accessible, we’re able to harness it as a tool for good. I wanted to become part of that movement and learn how to help people use tech to solve long-term problems and improve lives.
What’s your experience of being a woman in the tech industry?
I’ve found being a woman in the tech industry equally challenging and rewarding. Outside of Kainos, I volunteer as a conference and meet-up organizer, which has allowed me to build a strong network of contacts across the industry. Having this network gives me great support and I find it really rewarding to connect with others, through sharing positive stories and being equipped to handle any adversity.
Why do you think it’s important for more women to join the tech industry?
It’s important more women join the tech industry because diversity creates better products and services. Women make up one of the many elements of a diverse workforce, and with them being an underrepresented group, there’s a lot of work to be done regarding the pipeline and retention rates. Personally I feel the opportunities available for flexible working and competitive pay are a huge win and shouldn’t be slept on.
What advice would you give to young women who are just starting their careers in tech?
My advice to young women starting their careers is to continuously build-up your network of tech folks. You never know when you’ll need to ping someone you crossed paths with a few years back. These people can also champion you behind closed doors, which can open you to opportunities you didn’t know existed or ever thought were possible.
How has Kainos helped you to develop your career?
Kainos helped develop my career by providing a structured approach to learning and development. Everyone here is assigned a People Manager, who’s always there for you to ask for career advice, figure out your long-term goals and how to achieve them. Kainos is also invested in your learning through letting you get certified on valuable technologies, for example last year I got AWS certified as a Solutions Architect Associate.
What does Kainos do to encourage women to start/progress their career in tech?
Kainos encourages women to start and progress their careers through various programmes and initiatives. They’ve ran Code Camp for many years, and I was recruited through their Artificial Intelligence Camp. Once you’re in the company there’s continuous support, such as their Women’s Mentorship Programme; where each participant is assigned a mentor to harness for career advice and progression.