By Insight UK / 5 Nov 2019
1. Can you give us a bit of background on yourself and what you do at Insight?
I’m from Kansas originally and went to University in the states. I received an honours degree in Political Science, Law, and Philosophy and worked full time working in bars and restaurants throughout my time at university. My intention was to go on to be in law or politics, but after my interview at Insight I related so much to the values that I completely shifted my mindset and wanted to pursue a career in technology.
I am a part of the InsightEDGE graduate programme, so I have spent the first 4-5 months in training where I learnt about how Insight operates, where the tech industry is going and our solutions. I’m currently an Internal Account Manager in the Corporate Commercial team, working on reactivating previous Insight clients, while having a focus on driving our services.
2. What tech industry trends do you predict for the next decade?
I expect steady adoption of IoT (Internet of Things) with the likes of remote working on the rise, completely revolutionising the average ‘9-5’ working day.
3. What’s the most frustrating thing about the tech industry?
What I find the most irritating about the tech industry is also what I find the most exciting. I am a planner. I love to have goals to meet and a checklist! However, the tech industry is so fast paced and unpredictable that creating a 3 or 5 year plan can be challenging.
With that being said there is strength in a constantly evolving industry; it encourages organisations to take an adaptive approach to stay ahead of their competition and ultimately provide a better experience for its customers and employees.
4. What’s your earliest tech memory?
I remember using technology as a child, but mainly dial – up and the big bulky computer in our office. But probably a more prominent memory of tech is my CD player. We owned acres of land on a farm in Kansas and I would listen to my CDs on the player while mowing the fields. Every 10-15 seconds the CD would skip a few seconds of the song playing due to bumps on the ground, but that was a given with those players.
5. How would your best friend describe you in 3 words?
Inspired, relentless and a dreamer.
6. What one piece of tech could you not live without?
My phone. While it’s not something obscure or even unique, my phone gives me a link into every aspect of my life. With my family living so far away, being able to call or use WhatsApp to send photo updates is vital to me feeling like I’m not missing out on their lives.
7. What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I love animals and philosophy. I grew up on a farm in Kansas, I didn’t live near many people so I spent the majority of my childhood with my animals; donkeys, horses, pigs, goats, dogs, cats, ferrets, etc. The farm was also an animal rescue, so we worked with the local shelter and took in the larger animals that couldn’t live in the house. I’ve always had a soft spot for animals; even moving to England I had to have some animal to love and that is how I got Muggsie, my ferret.
Hand in hand with spending a large portion of my life surrounded by animals, I started reading philosophy around the age of 14. I now read philosophy books daily; Peter Singer is someone who truly inspires me and makes me question my actions constantly.
8. What do you need to be successful in the tech industry?
Openness, creativity and problem solving skills. Technology is constantly evolving and you must have an open mind to continually learn new content, think outside the box and question the status quo.
I also believe that you mustn’t be scared or hesitant to put your ideas forward. Tech lives and thrives on new concepts and ideas, so being confident in your ideas is vital to moving forward in your career in the world of IT.
Look out for the next instalment in this series on Insight’s nominees for the Women in IT Excellence Awards
