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This year, 8x8 is sponsoring the Women in Tech Festival. As part of this, we’re highlighting some of the talented women who work across departments helping us deliver on the 8x8 eXperience Communications Platform. In this interview, senior software developer Jessica Mowatt discusses her background in physics, her career path, some of her proudest moments as a software developer, and more.

8x8: Did you set out to work in IT or did you get here by chance?

Jessica Mowatt: Originally, I set out in a quite a different direction, but still within the STEM context. I studied for a physics master’s degree with the goal of doing a PhD and becoming a researcher in cosmology and astrophysics. When I started doing internships during the summer breaks, I got my first taste of computational physics and coding. It was some time before I eventually decided not to proceed with academia and go into tech instead. I was fascinated with how my computer worked, how a picture is rendered, and how the program knows where I want to click.

That curiosity led me to apply for a job at a software company in York that I knew I wasn’t qualified for. They needed Java skills. But they saw something in my interest and approach that led to them offering me a job in the software testing department. This developed, and I have moved into a variety of roles in IT, including software development, DevOps, R&D, and training and supporting real users in the field—the full software lifecycle, really.

8x8: When you told people you were going to work in IT, what was their reaction? Has it changed now?

JM: My friends, I think, were a little surprised at the direction, given what I studied at university and my initial plans. But they’re not that surprised as it’s STEM. I’m not sure my mum and grandparents understand what it is that I do, but they are highly supportive.

Helping give agency to people with Down’s Syndrome

8x8: What has been your proudest moment working in IT?

JM: A proud moment for a software tester or developer can seem tiny, like resolving a bug, but it has a big impact on how the product or app performs. Making an impact is an underrated part of the work that a developer does. I worked on an app that has a major impact on the lives of people with Down’s syndrome. It’s probably my proudest moment so far. The ‘Health Swap’ app from Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) gives people with Down’s Syndrome agency over their meal choices. It helps them make healthy choices and provides a gateway to a world of digital information and tools. Technology should do that: be inclusive and accessible.

8x8: What would you say has been your toughest moment in IT, and how did you get through it?

JM: Imposter syndrome is a major barrier for people, not just at the early stage of your career. I still deal with it. I think we all feel a little unconfident or compare ourselves negatively against others, even when you know that you have loads of valuable relevant experience. What has helped has been being honest and open about it in a safe environment. My local Women in Tech events in York have had some fantastic workshops around building confidence, learning how to talk about your value, pay rises, and more. They always highlight the importance of psychological safety – how you shouldn’t feel like you cannot ask a question because it usually means that someone else in the room probably wants to know the answer, too.

8x8: In your opinion, do women have equality in IT careers?

JM: It has improved, I think. But there’s still some way to go before we get equal numbers of senior women in leadership roles. The rate of promotion for younger women isn’t the same as men. This could be being addressed by more women coming into STEM as a whole, which we are seeing. 8x8 is actually ahead of the curve, I would say. We do have a lot of women in senior roles.

What the future holds for women in IT

8x8: What do you see as the biggest challenges for women in IT today?

JM: Improving the long-term career path for women, helping them secure leadership roles through internal promotion rather than parachuting external people in would be a big advance. More women need to come into the industry, especially as we increase our use of technology and engagement with it. More women in tech would drive changes in how products are designed and developed.

8x8: What do you think will be the next big trend for women working in technology?

JM: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are already two of the biggest trends, but I think they would benefit from the input of women (or a more diverse demographic in general) to avoid unconscious bias and provide emotional intelligence and empathy. Analytics and AI make up a key part of our offering at 8x8 and help inform and power our clients’ chatbots, but sometimes people want to speak with people. A more empathetic chatbot could make a big difference, not just to the company deploying it but also to their customer’s day.

8x8: Would you recommend IT as a career to young women or women returning to work?

JM: Definitely. It’s a great sector and there are a lot of support networks and people who are committed to helping young women progress in the industry – like Women in Tech. There are so many roles that no matter what your interests are or how you like to work, you will find a niche. There are also so many industries that make up the IT ecosystem that offer plenty of opportunities. It’s growing and evolving all the time.

My answer would be the same for women returning to work, whether from a previous IT background or not. The industry calls on many transferable skills from other sectors. I think women face an additional challenge in coming back to something, whether that’s a bias towards hiring new graduates or someone with more recent experience, or self-imposed barriers caused by imposter syndrome.

The old attitudes are going away

8x8: Do you think attitudes toward women in IT have changed over the years?

JM: Many of the stereotypes have been abolished, both male and female. People whose attitudes were shaped in the eighties, for example, are retiring and there is more representation of women and other diverse demographics in the industry. I think there’s more of a focus on getting the right skills rather than making a decision on gender.

8x8: Have you mentored anyone? What has been the biggest challenge or reward?

JM: Recently I helped mentor someone through a module in a coding camp. Her partner had put out a call on social media and, while lots of men answered with support, I reached out to offer help as a woman. We connected and did the JavaScript course together. It was a great feeling to celebrate success with her and bring more women into tech.

8x8: On your journey, who has been your biggest influence, either at the personal level or the aspirational level?

JM: My dad has been a huge support throughout my career – well, my life really – sitting me down at a computer at the age of four and spurring me on to apply for roles in IT. I currently work with an inspiring colleague in our office in Romania, Mădălina Sebeştea. She’s a young woman who has risen to lead a team of developers while remaining very humble. She’s a joy to pair program with.

There are also a couple of presentations I’ve seen recently that have really struck a chord with me. One is from Sophie Weston, she’s worked in DevOps and is an ambassador for Women in Tech in York. She presents on psychological safety and the importance of an environment where you can ask a ‘stupid’ question without being shamed in any way. The other is from Alison Kinloch, a principal technical architect at BJSS who has talked about her journey through tech. It’s inspiring to hear their stories and understand how they have faced challenges as women in the technical world.

8x8: Finally, are there any other points you would like to make?

JM: Women want pockets, too!

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