“Go for it!”: Creating Inclusive Experiences for Women in Tech

Lucy Beauchamp is a Coder Academy graduate, and after completing her internship with Hismile, the company was so impressed that they asked Lucy to stay on as a junior web developer. After making the transition to a new career in coding, her only regret is that she didn’t make the change “years ago”.  

Corina Pelichowski is also a Coder Academy graduate, and has gained experience in several exciting roles in her new tech career. When we first caught up with Corina, she was working as a senior associate software engineer at L3 Harris Technologies, and since our interview, she has moved into a software developer role with Black Sky Aerospace. Her exposure to different roles and working environments has given Corina an appreciation of the importance of, “ensuring that everyone has the support and resources they need to thrive.” 

NextEd Group is the parent company of Coder Academy, and Eve Ollerenshaw is somewhat of a legend around the offices. As the Pro Vice Chancellor & General Manager of Group Quality, Accreditation & Compliance, and the Group Privacy Officer, Eve’s contribution to Coder Academy is more than equal to her impressive title. As part of the senior executive team, Eve has been instrumental in important policy implementation, and on a more personal level, inspires her colleagues by speaking candidly about her own experiences as a trans woman, while “believing in the potential of others, speaking up against inequality and discrimination”. 

Let’s dive into the interview now to learn more about the impressive contributions of these women in tech.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the tech industry, and how have you overcome them?

Lucy: I’ve been fortunate not to have faced significant issues, but I’ve definitely experienced imposter syndrome, which I know is common in this field. Overcoming it is still a work in progress, but it’s been about recognising my achievements and reminding myself that everyone in tech feels this way at some point. Seeing how far I’ve come in such a short period of time has also helped me build confidence.

Corina: While I’ve been fortunate not to face direct discrimination, I’m acutely aware of the challenges many women encounter in tech. The pressure to prove oneself and combat stereotypes can be intense.

I initially felt the need to downplay my femininity to fit in, especially in a male-dominated environment. Over time, I realised that being true to myself while focusing on my skills was the best way to gain respect and recognition.

What role do you think gender diversity plays in the success of a tech team or company?

Lucy: Gender diversity brings different perspectives and ideas, which is important for innovation and problem-solving. A diverse team tends to be more creative and better at meeting the needs of a wider audience.

Corina: Gender diversity is critical to a tech team’s success because it brings different perspectives, ideas, and problem-solving approaches to the table. A diverse team is better equipped to create innovative solutions that resonate with a broader audience.

What are some of the misconceptions about women in tech that you have encountered?

Corina: I’m aware of some prevalent stereotypes that persist in the industry. One common misconception is that women are less technically capable or that they’re more suited to roles in design or project management rather than hardcore coding or technical leadership positions.

Even when I was looking at the job market, I would avoid those leadership roles or the higher paying ones because I believed I wasn’t good enough. Now I apply anyway and it’s up to them to make that call.

Do you feel you’ve had to work harder than male colleagues to advance your career and be recognised?

Lucy: I have been incredibly fortunate to not have faced this myself; however I’m aware that this is a challenge many women face in the industry.

Corina: So far, no one else on my team has gone through the promotion process so I don’t know whether it’s hard overall or it was hard just for me. However, I did learn a lesson or two from one of my female colleagues in a different department.

She was constantly overlooked for a promotion and was promised that something would happen… eventually. Manager feedback and reports showed that she was going above and beyond her role level but it was always some minor technicality that prevented her from rising up. Yet the other males in her department were given better titles and pay.

So, when it came time for me to gather the courage and ask for a promotion I got everything in writing; even emailing a recap of verbal conversations with details and asking for a reply. I pestered people with emails, follow-ups, and reminders to the point where I may have been annoying.

Not only am I a software developer, I’m also the scrum master. I run the team meetings, do a fair bit of the onboarding for new members, train other staff, and organise team building activities. Despite doing all of these things, I still needed the formal qualifications for both and to sit through an interview panel to prove I was worthy.

It felt like a lot of work rather than just my efforts being recognised.

Do you agree women face a lot of challenges in leadership roles? What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?

Eve: I have a history of having to live as a male, so I can compare the opportunities associated with both genders.

How do I overcome them? Being honest, treating everyone with respect, believing in the potential of others, speaking up against inequality and discrimination, being open about my identity, challenging others when their views discriminate, and of course by excelling at what I do. However, the level of excellence required is greater than if I identified as male.

Are there any particular women in tech who have inspired you? If so, who and why?

Lucy: While I don’t have a specific individual in mind, I’m inspired by the many women who have paved the way in tech, showing that it’s possible to succeed in a male-dominated industry.

Corina: When I first started in this role, there was one other woman on the team. She was so lovely, welcoming, and I felt a sense of, “Us gals have to stick together.” She knew how to code and was extra patient with me when I was starting out.

She also kept the documentation up to date, especially the process of onboarding new employees. It really helped me out so when she left, I kept it up to date and we use it all the time.

What impact do you hope to make in your field over the next five years?

Lucy: I hope to contribute to creating more inclusive digital experiences that cater to a diverse audience. I’m excited to see what technology can do, particularly in making tech more accessible and user-friendly.

Corina: I want to either run an internship program for graduating software developers or become a workplace mentor for those who are starting out.

Can you talk about any initiatives or projects you are involved in that promote gender equity in tech?

Corina: I was part of the “Women In Engineering” group which ran workshops, talks, activities, and lunches for the women here. It was great to have a get together once a month and do these things. But some of the guys here wanted to be part of it too so we expanded and changed the name to “We3” to include everyone.

What policies or initiatives have you found most impactful in creating an inclusive environment for women studying or working at Coder Academy?

Eve: Coder Academy has had a scholarship program to encourage participation in technology courses for a number of years. As a policy this is awesome.

The fact that the group’s board is made up of 50% women including the chair is pretty incredible for an ASX listed company.

I am proud to say that we were one of the first institutions in Australia to have a SASH policy to ensure the safety of our WOmen students, similarly policies around inclusivity.

How do you think companies and educational institutions can better support women in tech?

Lucy: Companies and educational institutions can support women in tech by offering mentorship opportunities, creating inclusive environments, and really pushing for diversity in leadership roles.

Corina: Offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work and flexible hours, can help women balance their professional and personal lives, making tech careers more accessible.

Showcasing successful women in tech through talks, case studies, and media can inspire and motivate other women to pursue and persist in tech careers. There’s a picture at my work of Hedy Lamarr and I wish we had others like her around the place.

(Austrian-American actress Hedy Lamarr was also a tech inventor.)

Eve: Looking at things from a humanistic perspective, it is time societies globally ceased classifying people’s capabilities (physical, emotional, intellectual) on the basis of gender.

Every person on this planet is born with infinite capability. But gender defines and constrains this creating learning environments (social, educational, communication, creative) that limit the role that WOmen are able to play. Emerging technologies provide an amazing opportunity for equality of opportunity to be employed, to be promoted, to lead, to create, to contribute to change for the better.

How has your perspective on gender equity in tech evolved since you started your career?

Corina: When I started my career, I wasn’t fully aware of the gender disparities in tech. Over time, I’ve come to realise how important it is to actively promote gender equity. It’s not just about providing opportunities but also about ensuring that everyone has the support and resources they need to thrive.

What advice would you give to young women considering careers in tech?

Lucy: Just go for it! Don’t let self-doubt or thoughts of, “What if I can’t?” hold you back. The opportunities are there, and you’re more capable than you think. I honestly wish I had done this years ago.

Corina: I love my job. I love coding and solving problems and appreciate that it’s not as math-heavy as I initially thought. But it is hard work. You have to do the hours and there are no shortcuts… except for your keyboard ones.

What advice would you give to women, including trans women and non-binary individuals, looking to advance into leadership positions, especially in the tech industries?

Eve: Go for it! It is your right to succeed and to lead. Have a mentor. Remember, there are a lot of super successful people in this world that are not men.