Switzerland in the spotlight: an interview with Victoria

 ⇒ How did you get into IT, what do you like about it?

Even as a little girl, my dad took me into the fascinating world of the university (by the way, he was the only father who took his child to study 😉). That's how I got to know numerous technical devices from the 90s and 2000s, LAN parties were part of our everyday life. 

I got my first computer game for my 5th birthday, and from then on it was clear: I loved those colorful icons on the screen and dreamed of working in a field related to technology. Becoming a princess or a firefighter was never my thing. So my heart was set on the world of game development from an early age, although today I particularly enjoy IT consulting.

⇒ Women in IT – what comes to mind when you hear that?

The first thing that always comes to mind is: yay, diversity! And I don't just mean gender diversity, but also other factors such as age, background and interests. A diverse team has unbeatable advantages over a homogeneous one. It's important to me to emphasize: there is no specific demographic that can handle a task particularly well. Rather, the interplay of different thoughts, characters and approaches is crucial.

⇒ Do you think women are underrepresented in IT?

In the 60s, the profession of computer scientist was shaped by women (there were even articles in magazines like Vogue about it back then). Despite significant contributions by women to the history of IT, many people don't know much about it. Structural barriers, such as limited employment contract options and a lack of autonomy for women in the 20th century, meant that IT was dominated by men for a long time. Fortunately, there is a change today – towards a more balanced gender distribution, even if it is not equally advanced everywhere. It takes time, as structural reasons continue to influence the underrepresentation of women in IT.

⇒ At catworkx, the proportion of women is relatively high - have you had this experience before?

Yes and no. In various groups and environments, I have often found myself to be the only woman or in a minority of less than 10%. In other areas, however, the gender ratio was very balanced or even heavily female-dominated. In my opinion, it also depends on how a group welcomes newcomers. A less than welcoming atmosphere can make new members feel uncomfortable or even withdraw. I can say: at catworkx, women play an important role, they are welcome here and appreciated.

 ⇒ What do you like about catworkx?

I really like the diverse collaboration at catworkx! The company is an outstanding example of how career changers can also successfully pursue technical professions. A degree in computer science or engineering is not a mandatory requirement to work in Atlassian consulting or programming. Everyone at catworkx, managers and employees alike, places a high value on respectful interaction with one another, and efforts are always made to make improvements. At catworkx, you will find open ears and support in every corner. In addition, both catworkx and the TIMETOACT GROUP as a whole are committed to the Women in Tech Initiative and the Diversity Board.

 ⇒ Do you have any other tips or advice for our readers?

Have faith in yourselves! Your logical, abstract or structured thinking is not affected by your gender. Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Be brave and venture into the diverse and ever-expanding world of IT. You don't necessarily have to be able to program or develop algorithms – IT offers numerous interdisciplinary topics that require a broad skills set. Interested in becoming an Atlassian consultant or expert? Then contact our HR team and ask what opportunities are available to you. The colleagues at catworkx will definitely welcome you with open arms.

Dear Victoria, thank you for the interview. 😊