The future of technology should be shaped by diverse voices. That’s why we are proud to spotlight the incredible women in tech in our team who are pushing the boundaries of innovation, tackling challenges, and inspiring the next generation of leaders in the field.
This article is part of a series of interviews with our team who share their careers experiences. Meet our second interviewee: Megan Yates , Technology Sales Consultant at Netcentrix.
💡What is your current role?
I am the Technology Sales Consultant here at Netcentrix. My role is to help organisations identify their challenges and understand their goals for the future and provide a tailored solution to achieve an efficient and cost-effective technology set up, all whilst having their security posture at the forefront of that new solution.
💡How did you get started in IT?
I finished my Psychology degree in 2012 and wanted a break from Education before going back for a masters. 10 years later… Technology is my education!
💡Can you share a little about your career to date?
After working at a Tech company for 2 years, I had worked my way around the Customer Service areas and had found whilst creating solutions to customers issues, I was essentially designing an organisations resolution through new technologies and ventured over to sales to continue this role in greater detail. I had the opportunity to work for a Software Application start up focusing on Employee Engagement, which I loved as I have a real passion for using technology to improve and sustain an incredible company culture. I also was working for a great friend and strong female mentor, and although it was cut short due to COVID, I learnt more in those 9 months than I had ever before.
Following this I went into a pre-sales consultant role which is where I gained my Microsoft accreditations and helped customers combine multiple technologies to achieve the best results. However, my love for sales could not rest! I became Head of Sales and trained a team who were new to the technology sector and watched them succeed in the start of their careers. It was very special for me to train a team of mostly male colleagues as a woman in tech and see my other female leaders excelling with an emotional intelligence view to consultative sales.
Leadership will always be a goal for me but wanting to progress further I moved back into Account Directorship and since then, have looked after customers of all sizes and have been focused on helping organisations achieve the best solutions for their future ever since!
Now as the Technology Sales Consultant, I get to combine Technology with internal cultures and bring on new clients with sustainable solutions.
💡What is it about technology that keeps you engaged and passionate about your role?
Technology is ever changing which means there are new ways to use it to your advantage. It influences culture and employee satisfaction as well as the organisations productivity. Use it correctly and you’ve struck gold.
💡Have you noticed a lack of women in the technology industry throughout your career? If yes, how has this changed as your career has progressed?
At the start of my career, I had one female leader who was pioneering for more women in senior roles. As my career has progressed I have seen a huge shift in which many of my colleagues that I started with have advanced into senior roles so there has been a shift. The next step for organisations in this sector, are to start creating diverse senior management teams/boards to further the movement. Without a diverse team at the top, the modern workplace cannot be fully explored and idea sharing will suffer.
💡Do you believe your gender has ever impacted the way you have been perceived or treated in your career?
I have been very lucky that I have largely not been severely impacted by my gender. However, more needs to be done to change workplace environments to be more mindful of limited women in teams and language used. I have been part of emails referring to “Gents” far more than I would like to admit! Whilst I haven’t personally been affected, many women have which is why Women in Tech is so important.
💡What do you think businesses should be doing to encourage more girls and young women to consider careers in technology?
Aside from making the workplace more accessible for women in general (which is a HUGE one), the message that needs to be shouted from the rooftops is that you do not need to be an engineer or technical to start working in tech. Not only are there so many different roles available, but tech is also easy with the right leadership and environment to learn.
💡What is the one piece of advice you would give to a young woman looking to enter the industry or just at the beginning of her career in technology?
Do not change who you are because you are in a male dominated field. Our superpower is our emotional intelligence and that comes with incredible results. Find a mentor, male or female, who supports you and can be your sounding board. One of my most valuable mentors was male and everything he taught me has helped me succeed.
Stick to your guns, use your inner confidence, and if you’re struggling with anything – no question is a stupid question.
We’re spotlighting the incredible women who are part of our team. Keep your eyes peeled for our next Women in Tech installment.
