What's It Really Like?

There's no better way to get an idea of what a career is really like than to ask somebody who has experienced it for themselves, so we asked Professor Wendy Hall, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton about her career as a very successful woman in the IT industry. Read more about Wendy here, and then read on to get the inside information about a career in IT!

Was it hard to get started as a woman in IT when you first began your career?

I started out as a mathematician and got interested in computers because I could see the potential for their use in education. It wasn't until I moved back to the University of Southampton (where I originally did my maths degrees) as a computer science lecturer that I realised how male dominated the discipline was. And yes it was hard initially being a women in such a world but I'm used to it now. I hugely enjoy what I do and wish more women could be inspired to consider a career in computing.

In your opinion, what opportunities are offered by a career in IT to young women today?

There are fantastic career prospects for anyone in this area. The industry is driving much of the innovation we see around us in all walks of life and so it's possible to be involved on a spectrum from very technical to very people-oriented. It's such an exciting industry to be involved with - people don't realise this.

What is the best thing about working in IT?

The excitement and the buzz!

And the worst?

Not enough women :-)

What advice would you give to a girl considering IT as a career?

Go for it - don't be put off by how it is taught in school at the moment or what the career teacher says! Talk to people in the industry to find out what it is really like (its not all programming)!

How do you see the future of the industry from a female perspective?

It can only get better :-)

Which women have you found most inspiring, and why?

Dame Stephanie (Steve) Shirley, first woman president of the BCS, because her story is so inspiring!