TechWomen100: Meet Bethan!

I first embarked on my STEM career during my studies for my BSc in Mathematics, Operational Research and Statistics. 

After attending a fantastic event for females interested in technology, I was contacted and fast-tracked to the Vodafone UK Technology Graduate assessment centre. I was offered a role on the technology stream and from this point onwards, I have recognised and appreciated the power of networking and equal opportunities for women in the technology arena.

When I rejoined the company earlier this year connecting with other women in data, or those looking to move into data, was a priority for me. I set up a Women in Data internal network which has had a great amount of interest. Driving the initiative myself, I am currently finalising our committee so that we can begin empowering, upskilling and connecting with women across the globe. 

I have also supported recruitment networking opportunities for female students, and have featured as a panellist on a webinar to celebrate Ada Lovelace Day in 2020. I am now navigating my way through academia alongside my full-time work, and have started a Professional Doctorate in Data Science. This is an opportunity I will relish and it gives me the chance to take full reigns on my career path, to one day become a data scientist myself.

Vodafone has such a range of learning and development opportunities which are open to all. I’ve been particularly pleased to have access to a range of O’Reilly books which can be quite technical; they are a great resource to support both my current role and my studies outside of work. With my studies ahead, I cannot wait to further my career and continue to encourage and unite women across technology. I hope to incorporate my interests in sex-disaggregation of data, geo-social networks, and analysis of online networks and language to identify discrimination against women and others with mental illness and drive change in policy.

I live with mental health conditions and the support my manager and Vodafone give me is fantastic and enables me to do my job well with the confidence that my wellbeing is fully supported.

I have a direct experience of how women, and female-specific networks and events, have uplifted me from the very outset of my career. Vodafone has a clear mission for better representation of women across the business, especially with their goal to become the best employer for women by 2030 and there’s a range of networks for different interests, as well as external events for younger girls and students interested in STEM roles.

My passion for this area is unbounded and I hope to be, and see, the change.