It has been a long time since I sat and wrote a blog post on this account.
The reasons are numerous and to some extent are of no real consequence here.
Yet today, I find myself pondering and thinking over the last week. I was lucky enough to attend a Women in Tech conference as part of my day job managing and heading up the GIS (Group Information Systems ) Vendor Management team, for ComputaCenter.
The event was called Women of Silicon Roundabout, and was hosted by Maddox Events. The event was hosted at the London Excel centre, with a mini networking event held the night before at the Fox@Excel by the taxi company, Uber.
Initially this was a little unnerving for me, given that I usually only visit the Excel during MCM Comic Conventions. Being there in business dress, and to be surrounded by wonderfully, inspiring and awesome women was a little strange at first; and somewhat disconcerting. What made these two days even more powerful for me, was I was still recovering from a serious bout of depression and agoraphobia. So being in a hall with over 4500 attendees was a big deal.
I managed it and although those who know me knew that my social tick was visible; to everyone else I was personable, passionate, enthusiastic and a charm to be around.
It was a great opportunity both in being able to network but also to listen to some amazing speakers. There was also the opportunity to attend deep dive sessions on specific subject areas, looking and discussing soft skills, career development areas, hands on work shops and experience, personal development areas, and examine new and future technologies, including robotics and VR (Virtual Reality)
There was so much to absorb and take in, I don’t think I could ever do it justice in a single blog post. Things that it got me to think about and consider as a result of this event was; is it truly equality we want or equity? We all need to remember to Lean in. Getting a sponsor person or two is never going to do your career any harm. Remember to network and find a mentor to develop your career gaps. Develop and work on a Personal Development Plan; and include things like what you want, where you want to be and why and when you want to achieve it by. Remember to set your development plans against SMART objectives, and set aside a Power Hour once a week, to work on yourself, and your career development. The Power Hour, allows you to be selfish and focus on what you want on your career, that in the long-term will allow your company to also grow and develop. Most importantly for your career to develop it takes hard work, dedication and luck. Luck can come from your ‘posse’, which includes, your network of sponsors and mentors, along with your ability to grab opportunities as they arise and take a risk. The risk may not only be on grabbing an opportunity as it arises, but also within your own self unwavering belief that you can do it. We don’t have to tick off all the boxes, but we do need to show a willingness to stand up and be counted
For me the whole event was positive, awe-inspiring, and generally just wow. There was so much to absorb, so many talks to attend, and sessions to see, that at times it was a little bit overwhelming.
The organization also had this covered with break away spaces set up away from the hub bub of the event allowing you to just stop, gather your thoughts, and re-charge your batteries, before going back into the foray.
For me I cannot wait to attend next year, with hopefully more of my ladies from work, and have our own stand, and possible a place on centre stage giving a talk.
Here is to personal growth, being awesome and Seizing the day
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