Rethinking Pathways into Tech

Growing up, all I wanted to be was a “businesswoman”. I didn’t fully understand what that meant, but I knew it involved building something meaningful. I began my career at a tech start-up working in Human Resources (HR), fitting to my degree in Psychology and Business Management. Just two months later, I was offered a consulting role as a Business Analyst. I felt unsure whether I was ready but remembered a quote by Richard Branson: “If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you're not sure you can do it, say yes, then learn how to do it later”.  I said yes and that decision changed my trajectory. 

There’s still the perception that careers in technology follow a straight line from a computer science degree. In reality, the pathway is much broader. A Women in Technology Report by BCS shares that in the UK, women make up around 21% of IT specialists. Yet women remain significantly underrepresented in computing and engineering degrees. The gap between education and workforce participation suggests that many professionals enter tech through alternative routes rather than traditional STEM pipelines.  

Tech isn’t just coding

Across most industries, organisations need business analysts, transformation leads, product owners and more. These roles require technical literacy but equally demand human-centred skills. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report consistently ranks transferable capabilities including analytical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability and active learning among the most critical skills for the future workforce.  

This isn’t just true for those earlier on in their career, it applies to many re-entering the workforce. When I think about female leadership, I think about my mother. She sacrificed her own career to prioritise our family and after almost two decades off work, she rebuilt her career and now leads a major payroll transformation programme. Her story reflects something research repeatedly highlights - women’s careers are often non-linear, yet capability doesn’t diminish during career breaks. 

Tips for Entering and Thriving in Tech 

For those considering a move into technology: 

1. Say yes to stretch opportunities.

   Studies including research from Harvard Business School

    highlight that women are more likely to second-guess themselves and self-select out of job opportunities based on confidence or qualification perceptions. Rather than ticking every box, saying “yes” to a stretch role can accelerate exposure, learning and visibility and help you build confidence through experience. 

2. Invest in continuous learning. 

   
   The tech industry increasingly values skills and practical experience alongside, or even over, formal degrees. Alternative training pathways such as coding bootcamps, online courses and short credentials have grown rapidly as viable ways to enter the tech world.  

3. Seek mentorship and sponsorship. 

   
   Formal mentorship and sponsorship programs can make a significant difference in career progression. 

   McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace report

    finds that women are less likely than men to have sponsors, and this gap is linked to slower advancement indicating that organisational support structures matter.  

4. Recognise your transferable skills.

   
   Communication, critical-thinking, problem-solving and adaptability are among the top capabilities sought in tech. By leading with what you can bring, you position yourself well for meaningful work in digital and technology roles. 

Careers in technology are rarely straight lines. They are shaped by curiosity, resilience and continuous development. Between my mother’s journey of re-entry and my own pivot into consulting, I’ve learned that pathways into tech can be wide. The future of digital transformation depends on diverse experiences and leaders who understand both systems and people. Sometimes it starts with a young girl dreaming of making a difference or with a woman brave enough to begin again. 

About the campaign

In our pursuit to shape a more equitable future, our March TechTogether campaign will focus on supporting the next generation by joining the National Careers Week campaign, empowering women in tech, advancing equity by design, and evolving the landscape of online safety.