This International Women's Day, we're excited to spotlight the diverse experiences of women in the technology (and broader STEM) industry. While these fields have historically been male-dominated, but as our very own Aleksandra says, " there is absolutely nothing that would preclude women from pursuing a career in tech and enjoying it." Here, some of the women from Lancom Technology graciously share their journeys within the tech industry, offering valuable insights into what it means to navigate and succeed in the wonderfully diverse world of technology.

Aleksandra Gruszczyk, Software Developer

Can you share a little bit about what it is that you do and what a typical day for you is like at Lancom Technology? 

I’m a software developer. I work on multiple projects for Lancom’s clients, mostly solving code-related issues and developing new functionalities. My typical day sees me sitting in front of three screens, reading and writing code, and searching for answers. In coding, half of the success is in asking the right questions and gaining deeper understanding of the processes, structures, and requirements, so that’s a skill I’m focused on developing. 

Did you always know you wanted to work in a STEM based industry? 

I used to be a social anthropologist, so I come from a completely non-STEM-related background. But coding was something that had always fascinated me, I guess it fits my psychological profile: I love to learn and to create new things, and solve problems in a logical, research-based way. Programming allows me to do all those three things at once, with a super short feedback loop. Your code either works or it doesn’t, if it does – that's great, and if it doesn’t, well, you start looking for answers again. 

Can you share a bit about your experience getting into the industry? Did you study? How did you land your first job in technology? 

Wanting to code and starting to code are two different things for sure. I wanted to try coding for a long time but didn’t get to do so until a friend told me about a programming bootcamp organised by DevAcademy Aotearoa. It was a full-on experience, full time and learning-intensive, and it required plenty of effort and sacrifices from me and my family. But it was so worth it! After I graduated, I passed the AWS Cloud Practitioner, and afterwards also earned a Scrum Master certificate from Scrum.org. I met Toni from Lancom at the AWS graduation event and got interested in Lancom. When a job offer for a graduate developer at Lancom showed up, I decided to apply – and here I am! 

Do you have any advice for women wanting to pursue a career in technology or STEM in general? 

I’d say go for it! STEM might sound scary, or boring, but it is neither. It’s not that different from other disciplines, you just need to give it a chance. It requires a lot of dedication and perseverance. But programming languages are still human-made and follow human logic. There are specific rules but learning them is not that different from learning German, or Japanese – in fact, it may be even easier. STEM-related jobs are still male-dominated, but there is no inherent gender-based differences that would preclude women from pursuing a career in tech and enjoying it. Sure, an all-male workplace can be quite challenging, but my gender has never been an issue in the workplace. Open communication is key! One last thing, switching careers and learning to code was not a one-person journey for me, I had tons of support and guidance from people around me. It’s easier when you have help, so don’t be afraid to ask for it. 

Are there any resources, or programmes separate to university that you would recommend for women wanting to upskill or learn more about technology? 

I highly recommend DevAcademy bootcamps, as well as the AWS and Microsoft cloud courses for those who aren’t necessarily interested in programming but would like to work in technology. Both AWS and Microsoft have special courses dedicated for women who want to enter the field of tech or upskill, and both the instructors and the attendees are incredibly supportive and understanding. 

Toni Southon, CFO and HR Lead

Can you share a little bit about what it is that you do and what a typical day for you is like at Lancom Technology? 

I am the least technical person in Lancom! But I love what tech can do and I love working with smart people. I cover Finance and HR which is a pretty broad remit.  

A typical day for me could span talking with customers about business issues, with key vendor partners around services or most likely working with internal people to ensure they have the tools and capability to do what they do so well for our customers and working to implement back into Lancom some of the tools and technology we use with customers- and vice versa. 

Did you always know you wanted to work in the technology? Did you study any STEM related subjects?

For me this is very much full circle. I actually went to university with the full intention of doing an Information Management degree but ended up through circumstance changing my major to accountancy and management. Throughout my career I’ve skirted the edge of the technology world as most finance people do – and in all honesty – for many years probably overestimated my technical ability. Working with the talented folk here at Lancom has certainly opened my eyes to the depth and breadth of real technical talent and the potential of technology in the right hands. I firmly believe in the mantra that we automate the ordinary and humanise the extraordinary. 

Do you have any advice for women wanting to pursue a career in technology or STEM in general? 

My advice is very generalist. Remain curious. Understand business basics and how profit works and where the dollars flow. Be outcome focused not process focused. And leverage your strengths – communication, collaboration and getting s!@ done. 

Are there any resources, or programmes separate to university that you would recommend for women wanting to upskill or learn more about technology? 

Both AWS and Microsoft run amazing programmes to assist women to get a foot in the door with coding. AWS – CloudUp for Women known in NZ as Hāpori Wāhine, and Microsoft’s 10K Wāhine. 

 What I recommend to anyone is to play with technology and use it to solve a problem or to improve something. Read up on the AWS working backwards principles. In technology there is so much opportunity that unless you’re clear what you want to do and how you want to change your world you could end up just “doing and learning tech stuff” but not actually moving forward 

Jireh Joie Delima, Systems Engineer

Can you share a little bit about what it is that you do at Lancom Technology and what a typical day looks like? 

I’m a System Engineer. My typical day mostly involves assisting clients with troubleshooting their issues, checking the backups for their servers, monitoring new tickets and always making sure that we resolve any IT issues they have or escalate if needed specially those priority tickets.  

Did you always know you wanted to work in the technology industry? 

To be honest, I never thought that I would pursue a career in tech. However, when I applied for university, I did some aptitude tests and I placed under the category of IT. So, since then I got introduced to IT and have found it challenging but fun too. 

Can you share a bit about your experience getting into the industry? Did you study? How did you land your first job in technology? 

I studied Information Technology in university. It was challenging at first as I didn’t know a lot about computers or technology at all really. For my first job, I applied as a tech support. It was hard at first as it was so different from studying, but they provided training, and the learning didn’t stop there. 

Do you have any advice for women wanting to pursue a career in technology or STEM in general? 

Start by gaining a foundation in the basics of technology, there are many online resources available for this. Technology is a vast field with various specialisations so make sure you explore the different areas to find what interests you the most. Technology is constantly evolving, so embrace a mindset of continuous learning. Believe in your abilities, take risks and be assertive. Remember, the technology industry benefits from diverse perspectives, and women have a valuable role to play. By combining technical skills with confidence, networking, and a continuous learning mindset, you can thrive. 

Are there any resources, or programmes separate to university that you would recommend for women wanting to upskill or learn more about technology? 

Yes, there are many online courses and resources available. Both Microsoft and LinkedIn have some great courses. Some others that I like are  Codeacademy, Udemy, and Pluralsight. These resources cover a range of skill levels and interests, from coding and programming to career development and networking. Depending on your goals, you can choose the platforms and programs that align with your specific needs and interests in the tech industry. 

Priya Balachandran, Senior Customer Success Manager

Can you share a little bit about what it is that you do and what a typical day for you is like at Lancom Technology? 

It varies but a typical day would involve LOTS of cross -collaboration with every member within Lancom from Finance, Procurement, professional services and stakeholder management. Being the bridge between technology and the customer.   

Did you always know you wanted to work in STEM? 

No, that was never the intention, but as time lapsed STEM was gaining traction in the industry. What attracted me was the drive for innovation and embracing new norms. 

Can you share a bit about your experience getting into the industry? Did you study? How did you land your first job in technology? 

Yes and no. I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Eng Electronics but landed my first role in the IT industry instead.

Do you have any advice for women wanting to pursue a career in technology or STEM in general? 

Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, if you don’t try you won’t know. Connect and get to know those who are in the STEM industry. Skills can always be nurtured and developed. The more you connect with like-minded individuals the better the exposure and understanding STEM.

Are there any resources, or programmes separate to university that you would recommend for women wanting to upskill or learn more about technology? 

It all depends on your area of interest. STEM is broad. If you are interested in cloud technology, I would recommend the She-Cloud up program. They are various Women n tech groups (online) that organise meetups where women with various skill sets come together to share ideas and network. This also applies to the software development and testing industry. Look up some online and you may be surprised on just how easy it is to connect 😉