Welcome to the official highlights page of Women in TEC! One of our flagship events (which is so popular for members and employers alike we run it twice a year), focused on empowering women and non-binary members, and is dedicated to celebrating industry trailblazers who are championing gender equality in the technology, engineering, and consulting sectors.
We recently caught up with Phoebe, who attended Women in TEC 2023, about her experience at the event! If you’re keen to discover how to make the most out of a Bright Network event, keep reading…
Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you applied to attend Women in TEC
Hi I’m Phoebe, a final year Economics student at University of Essex who has just finished a Smartphone Product Management placement at Samsung. I decided to join Women in TEC because I wanted to network with like-minded individuals, gain insights into the technology industry, and explore opportunities on career growth, especially as a future graduate. With my new found knowledge of the Tech industry from my placement, I wanted to share ideas and also understand where I can put these skills into good use.
What was your key highlight/takeaway from Women in TEC?
My key highlight from the event was that there was a lot of representation on stage and my main takeaway was that your background does not define where you go in life. I also liked one of the insights from the keynote speaker, Wenshu (Life Science Consultant at TTP), who said that the difference between your comfort zone and outside of it is growth (I really liked how Wenshu demonstrated this through a Ven diagram, it’s something I really found insightful).
A few points were made, including finding the right mentors, realising your own uniqueness and always taking constructive criticism. Also the panellists took the time to understand what they want to do and shared tips on how to tackle imposter syndrome.
I made a LinkedIn post to summarise the event and I think it really articulates the day.
How do events like this help you in your professional development?
Attending Women in TEC helped me in a lot of ways:
- Providing a platform to connect with professionals in my field of interest
- The workshops and panel discussions helped me learn new skills or refine existing ones, which helps me be more competitive in the job market
- Hearing from successful women with different background in the technology industry inspires and motivates me. It also shows that if they can do it, I can do it too
- By participating in such events, I can raise my profile within the industry (on LinkedIn, for example), leading to more opportunities and recognition for my achievements
- Engaging with other women who are navigating similar challenges boosted my confidence in pursuing a career in a male-dominating industry
What would you say to someone thinking about attending WiTEC next year?
Attending WiTEC is a fantastic opportunity! You'll gain valuable insights, develop key skills, and connect with inspiring individuals in the tech industry. Definitely an event that I’d recommend to all aspiring women out there. Whether you know or don’t know what you want to do in life, coming to these events will give you a clearer direction on where to head.
What advice would you give to future Bright Network attendees so they can get the most out of these events?
My 5 step plan that I follow is:
- Preparation is Key: Research the event, speakers, and companies attending. Know what you want to achieve
- Network Actively: Introduce yourself, ask questions, and exchange contact information with professionals and peers
- Participate Fully: Attend workshops, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions. Engage with the content to gain valuable insights
- Follow Up: After the event, reach out to the contacts you made. Express your gratitude for their time and continue the conversation. LinkedIn is definitely your best friend in this case
- Reflect and Apply: Consider what you learned and how you can apply it to your career. Take action based on your new found knowledge and connections
Finally, would you do anything differently if you were going to attend WiTEC again?
I think what I would change is that I would network and engage more because it seems that we only had a limited time with everyone so I didn’t have a chance to visit all the booths. I would make sure to time myself better next time.
View the full photo album here
Feeling inspired by Phoebe’s experience? Find out how to attend the next Bright Network event here.
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