We are incredibly proud to have launched our first Women in Tech internship this year, marking a significant step in our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the technology sector.  

Currently, women hold just 28% of all jobs in tech, and this figure drops to 22% when we look at tech roles across European companies. As a company, we recognise the crucial need to support and empower women to break into the tech industry. Our Women in Tech internship aim to create opportunities and break down the barriers that women face in entering this industry.

We are thrilled to welcome our first intern, Hannah Gorry, a Computer Software Engineering student from the University of Bournemouth.  

We recently sat down with Hannah to discuss her journey into software engineering, her experiences as a woman in tech, and her aspirations for the future.  

Background and Introduction

Q: What initially drew you to study technology? Was there a specific moment or influence that sparked your interest?

A: I’ve always been drawn to the logical aspect of technology—there’s something really satisfying about working out how to solve a problem or make something work. But if I had to pinpoint a major influence, it would be movies, especially sci-fi.  

Q: How has your university experience shaped your understanding of the tech world so far?

A: University has been a steep learning curve for me. I understood the basic concepts of software and computers, but having lecturers who’ve spent years in the tech industry has helped me grasp everything on a deeper level. Being one of the few girls on my course has been eye-opening, too.  

Q: What do you enjoy most about being in the tech field?

A: What I love most is the freedom. There’s rarely just one way to solve a problem or build a piece of software, and I enjoy figuring out which approach works best. Tech evolves so quickly that there’s always something new to learn.

Women in Tech

Q: As a woman entering the tech industry, what has your experience been like so far? Have you encountered any surprises or challenges?

A: It’s definitely a male-dominated space. I’d say at least 90% of the people on my course are male. It was a bit intimidating at first, but everyone’s been lovely and supportive.  

Q: How do you think the tech industry could become more inclusive for women and underrepresented groups?

A: Honestly, it’s a tough question. I think it starts with better representation in schools, so younger girls feel more comfortable getting into tech early on. The problem is that there are so few women in the industry, and they often have less experience than the men because they started later.  

Experiences

Q: Can you share a project or experience that made you feel especially accomplished and what did you learn from it?

A: We had a week at uni where JP Morgan came in and acted as a client. We had to do meetings with some of their managers and build them a project. It was a great insight into the industry and how the business world operates.  

Q: What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned during your studies or this internship about working in tech?

A: The biggest lesson is that just reading about something isn’t enough. You need to practice coding and building stuff as much as possible.

Q: What advice would you give to other young women who are thinking about pursuing a career in tech?

A:  It’s hard, but it’s definitely worth it. My advice would be to practice as much as you can and go to events like hackathons.  

Personal Insights

Q: Are there any hobbies or interests outside of tech that you’re passionate about?

A I love playing the piano, and I’ve also taught myself to juggle. Photography is another passion of mine—I’ve got an old film camera that I love using.

Q: What’s one thing you’re hoping to learn or achieve before the end of your placement year?

A: I really want to pass some of the Microsoft exams and get a few certifications under my belt. That would definitely help me in the long run.

We are incredibly excited to see what Hannah will accomplish during her internship with us at Power 365 Solutions. We look forward to supporting her journey and watching her thrive, both during her time with us and in the bright future that lies ahead.

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