Introducing

TINA

TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANT/

NS TODAY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

On Childhood

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

I remember that when I was little, I wanted to be a dancer, a performer or someone on the stage. I really liked and enjoyed dancing. I also enjoyed maths but when I came to the UK when I was nine, I started enjoying English a lot more and I think I truly learned to become more analytical and articulate after analysing a bunch of poems, books and visual media in my English Literature classes.

At University

I know you studied economics at University and how did you decide you wanted to study that subject?

My dad was pretty firm in me doing a STEM related subject and I didn't like science and didn't want to pursue it so I decided to go for Economics because I wanted to grasp how money plays a role in society. The entire international politics, economics and the business aspect of it so i decided to venture in the subject. I went to SOAS where we immersed ourselves from a developmental economics angle often and I quite enjoyed it.

Start of your career

Your current role is completely different to what you studied, how has your career journey been from studying Economics to being a technology consultant?

It’s all thanks to Code First Girls. I am not sure if everyone knows about this online community but I was introduced to them during my final year and attended one of their courses and really liked it. I knew I wanted to work in Tech but CFG gave me the confidence to apply for roles within Tech. I realised that Tech is everywhere and there is also an endless creativity in Tech. Additionally, I have a few ideas within the Tech sector that I want to launch and I just found a space right now that offers longevity but also creativity.

Was this your first role after you graduated and what was the job application process like for Capgemini?

Yeah, that's correct, I started this role right after graduating last September.The application process was like every other big corporate job. I had to do the online interview and then the video interview then the assessment centre. The assessment centre was for a day so I had to go to Worthing and stay in a hotel.

What was the deciding factor for you to go with Capgemini?

Honestly, I was just so tired of getting rejections and this was the option that paid me more so I chose this but, I also appreciate how they look after their people by the culture embodying honesty and boldness. They are pushing for diversity right now which I appreciate because when I joined, there were lots of young people of colour in my cohort which made me feel quite safe.

Typical work day

What does a typical work day look like ?

I have had a few rotations in the company but currently I am working as a SAP Test Analyst and a typical day is working closely with functional consultants, project leads, delivery managers and developers to test the new functionality we are pushing to go to post production and then to live.

There isn't actually a lot of coding involved because that is the developer role which is a separate department. The role involves more of scripting, executing and then checking with the governance if it fits because I am working with a pretty huge public sector client so there is a high risk you want to avoid and you have to be pretty pedantic and thorough.

What do you enjoy at work and what do you find most challenging?

I enjoy working with Tech and with people who are more knowledgeable than me.

I have in the past found internal politics and misogyny that goes un-addressed in the whole corporate culture systemically quite hard sometimes and I have recently struggled to find out what I really want to do. That career crisis was quite hard when I saw everybody figuring it out and jumping to different roles and new companies.

Another thing I find quite challenging is sometimes you have to wait for other people to approve the functionality and the codes to transport different environments and having to chase them a lot. Having that blockage and being tactical in figuring out the response to give back to the client can be slightly pressing.

Skills

Apart from the technical skills, what other skills are needed?

First of all you need to have an interest in learning about technology and the second thing is personable skills.

You need to learn when to ask the right questions and take control of the conversations in the meetings.

It's nice if you are analytical so you can really analyse what is needed and how it really affects the bigger picture of the launch. Apart from the work as a SAP test analyst, I do a bunch of other work within the company. I am involved in a group called REN, Race & Equality Network and I am the REN 360 mentoring stream lead so I think going into work with the empathy you have off-work and also bringing the energy confidently in meeting rooms will help hone your sense of self and also visibility within the company.

Motivation at work

How do you keep yourself motivated at work?

I think talking to my colleagues helps me. I appreciate the casual chill talk with my colleagues as there is a very vibrant, kind and diverse energy in the team. Even though that may not always be the case in every project, I appreciate listening to music and podcasts while working.

One of the podcasts I am listening to is Asian boss girl, a podcast on bringing a twist on the Asian baby girl being more boss, being more in charge. They speak about female lived struggles like boobs and periods to more like intricate stuff with family, the recent one they wrote a letter to their parents and that was so touching and I had to take a breather cuz i was melting down.

Future plans

What are your future plans in terms of your career?

I think broadly speaking, I want to be a product owner. I think being able to see the end to end cycle of a product as an owner would be helpful because I have a few ideas of my own that I want to launch.

Advice

Any advice to someone who is looking for a similar career in engineering?

I would say don't be afraid to take control of the conversation and get ready to feel deserving because we only attract what we feel ready for.

Passion

Anything you would like to share besides work?

I have the ‘Truthful Tales with Tina’ series on Youtube and instagram, please check them out because the collective team have worked really hard to curate it. Episode 3 is on the channel already and another project I am volunteering as the Editor in chief of NepSoc Today magazine, which is another unpaid passionate pursuit of vessels who believe in storytelling truly - and we've dropped volume 2 recently so go check it out. :)

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