International Women’s Day – Meet Rebecca Williams

International Women's Day

Can you tell us a little bit about you and your role at Ten10?

I’m Rebecca, I’ve been working at Ten10 for just over 2 years now. I’ve been with my current project for 2 years, working on rebuilding legacy systems, including data migration, with a big focus on accessibility and, more recently, automation.

Outside of work I enjoy keeping fit by mainly weight training and running. I am currently training to become a Fitness Instructor in my spare time.

What drew you into the tech industry?

I find it really exciting what technology can do for us and how it can improve our lives. When I was at university studying Cybercrime I just knew technology was the industry I wanted to be in. I love that it constantly changes and evolves, and that you really do learn something new everyday, most of the time multiple things! I have learned so much over the last 2 years working at Ten10. Overall I just find it fun and I’ll never be bored of my work.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

To me, International Women’s Day is about celebrating all the amazing things women around the world have achieved, and raising awareness of where inequality still exists. It is so important that women support each other, and continue to educate on why this day is important because inequalities still exist around the globe.

According to stats from the Tech Nation report, only 19% of the tech industry are women. This shows how equal representation of men and women in the technology sector still has a long way to go. I feel proud to work for a company that takes equality, diversity and inclusion seriously and are ultimately working towards closing this gender gap.

What women inspire you and why?

Ada Lovelace: a mathematician who is considered to be the first computer programmer due to her work on the Analytical Engine made by Charles Babbage. At the time, math and science focused subjects were not widely studied by women. Ada was credited with the creation of the first algorithm intended to be carried out by a computer. Ada also theorised a method for the analytical engine to repeat instructions, which we know today as looping. This is just some of the work of Ada Lovelace.

Alaina Percival, Kimberly Bryant and Alice Bentinck: have all founded non-profit tech organisations, Woman Who Code, Black Girls Code and Code First Girls, dedicated to helping and inspiring girls to excel in technology careers, providing them with the support and resources needed to do so.

Grace Beverly: she started out as a fitness ‘influencer’. I find her so inspiring because she has built 2 multi-million pound businesses by the age of 24. She shares both the good and bad situations she faces as a female business owner on her social media pages.

My amazing friends outside of work, all inspire me, their roles include – a branch manager, a nurse, a trainee solicitor, a very successful hair-stylist and an intelligence officer. This picture on the right is of me and my best friend in Thailand.