Victor Richards not only gained 25,000 steps in one day during his work experience placement, but also gained comms skills and insights into the world of work at Imperial. Victor spent three days within ICT and Property Communications teams, focusing on photography. Hear from Victor in his own words:
About me
I’m currently a year 10 student studying for my GCSEs, and along with the mandatory Maths, English, etc. I also study separate sciences, Spanish, Drama, Film studies, and Fine Art. Out of school, some of my hobbies are playing basketball,
doing photography, and travelling to London whenever I can!
Working with the creative side of my hobbies, along with my love for London, Imperial has been the perfect place to carry out my work experience.
What did you get up to on work experience?
Over the course of 3 days, I was lucky enough to have a packed schedule catered specifically to my interest in photography.
Day 1 and 2
I was kindly shown round the stunning South Kensington campus, capturing many iconic spaces, buildings and landmarks. One that really stood out was the immensely impressive Queens Tower, which, after a very interesting chat with the staff, I discovered was recently refurbished and reopened, and is now standing there in all its beauty, on the Queen’s Lawn.
Staying on the theme of the Queen’s Lawn, especially in the sun, I found that it was the perfect place, not only to sit and get some work and photo editing done, but also just to relax and take in the lovely campus environment that Imperial creates.
The breathtaking location of the campus, within South Kensington, and all of its beautiful architecture, really make Imperial a wonderful place to be.
In the mornings of both the first and second days, I was initially greeted very warmly by the very kind and courteous staff, and then I was straight on to shoot a combination of the property, the security team, and even an amazing new returnable coffee cup system that is being trialled in a cafe in the Senior Common Room.
Along with the incredible opportunity to take photos, I was also very fortunate to be able to meet the official Imperial Photographer, Thomas Angus, a specialist in his field, to talk to me all about not only his specific style and approach to taking photos, but also about his journey to how he got to where he is now. Moving forward, with his advice, Imperial has provided me with a very interesting and useful insight into this professional world.
In addition to the photography side of the work experience, I was also given a tour around many of the buildings and lecture theatres, whilst accompanying the ICT AV team, which was equally very interesting, as I got to see how yet another role plays into this brilliant university.
Then, to finish up the first two days, I was invited to join the Property Division, where I was given a very insightful workshop on how to market and advertise all of the different food sites around campus. I was then given my own creative freedom to make up my own restaurant and make a poster of my own with the skills that I had been taught.
Day 3
Lastly, on my third and final day, I accompanied the ICT department to their Professional Services Hub out in White
City.
Out in white city, there was an absolutely stunning building, yet I found that it slightly lacked the same community feel that was clearly present within the South Kensington campus. However, seeing that a new campus is on its way to White City, I definitely see the potential in the area. All the staff here were yet again beyond friendly, which clearly made this community feel present again!
Day three mostly consisted of editing my photos, which was evident in my step count! From almost 25,000 on day 1, to very little this day, truly showed the concentration that I had!
I also very much enjoyed spending my afternoon writing this blog and finding out all about some other roles, which I discovered play a large part in this university.
and finally..
Overall, in just 3 short days. Imperial has managed to make me feel incredibly welcome, and I can really tell that Imperial values its sense of pride and community. Thanks to all of the staff involved, I have thoroughly enjoyed myself, and I have come away from this having learnt a lot more about how so many small parts and job roles contribute to the great institute that is Imperial!
I am also very grateful for the lovely merchandise that I was gifted upon leaving, really reinforcing this amazing community feel that Imperial gives off.
If I had the chance to come back, I would say yes in a heartbeat, just showing how worth it it is to do a work experience placement here!
Amanda Ishagi, 1st Line Support Analyst, joined Imperial in September 2023 and stepped into an ICT Service Desk role with relatively little hands-on experience in the field of technical and customer support.
Hear Amanda’s journey from novice to expert in her own words:
At the time, I knew it would be a challenge, but also a great opportunity to learn something new and push myself out of my comfort zone. Looking back, the biggest thing I’ve gained is confidence.
In the beginning, even simple customer support tickets felt overwhelming. There was so much to learn, systems, processes, terminology, and how to troubleshoot effectively. But over time, with consistency and patience, things started to click. I learned that it’s okay not to have all the answers straight away. What matters is knowing how to approach a problem, where to look for solutions, and when to ask for help.
One of the biggest factors in my progress has been the support from colleagues, especially my Team Leads, who have always been very supportive in my development. Being part of a team where people are willing to share knowledge and guide you makes a huge difference. Whether it was shadowing others, asking questions, or just observing how experienced analysts handled issues, I picked up a lot just by being around the right people.
“Take notes, stay curious, and try to understand the why behind what you are doing, not just the steps. Over time, you will build both your knowledge and your confidence.”
Starting out, I was also the only woman in the team, which often surprised the customers I dealt with, but in a positive way. It was something that stood out to them and often made interactions more memorable and uplifting. It’s been a unique part of my journey and something I’ve taken pride in.
I also found that building relationships with team members within and outside the team is essential for this role, as it makes it easier to ask for help and lean on each other when needed. Through this, I have met some amazing people from all walks of life, which has been a real bonus.
Of course, it hasn’t all been easy. There have been challenging days, high workloads, difficult tickets, and moments where things didn’t go as planned. At times, it felt like there was too much to keep up with. But those moments were also where I learned the most. They taught me resilience, time management, and how to stay calm under pressure.
If I had to give advice to someone starting out now, I’d say do not be afraid to ask questions, and do not be too hard on yourself. Everyone starts somewhere. Take notes, stay curious, and try to understand the why behind what you are doing, not just the steps. Over time, you will build both your knowledge and your confidence.
This journey has been a stepping stone in my career, and I am proud of how far I have come since those early days. I am still learning every day, but that is what makes this role rewarding.
Amanda’s Line Manager, Jeff Wiltshire – First Line Support Lead,watched Amanda grow into her role and said:
Reading this really made me smile, as it perfectly captures Amanda’s journey…and I’ve had the privilege of watching it first-hand.
From day one, what stood out was Amanda’s attitude. She threw herself into everything with real determination and curiosity, and has absorbed knowledge like a sponge. It’s not just her technical skills and knowledge, it’s also how she approaches problems, how she communicates, and how she builds relationships with both colleagues and customers.
Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed either. There have been more than a few occasions where I’ve had to gently (and sometimes not so gently!) send her home because she was still working well past the end of the day, determined to get things sorted. That level of commitment says a lot!
What I’ve always appreciated is how comfortable Amanda is asking questions. She has never been afraid to say “I don’t know”, and that is exactly why she has progressed so quickly. That openness to learn has been a huge part of her growth.
And now, in a bit of a twist, she has become one of our “go-to” analysts, especially for some of our more enthusiastic customers. I’m not sure whether to apologise or congratulate her! 😉
It’s been genuinely great to see her confidence grow and her skills develop in such a short space of time. She should be really proud of what she has achieved so far.
Further information
If you would like to join ICT – check out our Jobs page.
Cascade Waddell, Product Operations Analyst at Imperial shares 10 Usability Heuristics developed by Jakob Nielsen and Rolf Molich:
As a Product Operations Analyst with a UX design background, I regularly assess digital products against usability standards. To guide this assessment I rely on the 10Usability Heuristicsto identify usability issues and opportunities for improvement of producst at Imperial. These 10 steps can also be used in all parts of the product lifecycle.
Here are the 10 Heuristics made simple:
1. Visibility of system status
The user should always be aware of their current position in the system. This could be a confirmation message with a tick after completing an application or an order. It could also be a progress bar at the top of the screen.
2. Recognition rather than recall
The system should help the user to recall previously entered or commonly selected information. For example, a form field that suggests recent entries, so the user doesn’t have to remember or retype data.
3. Help users recognise errors
Errors should use clear, plain language with instructions so that a user can understand it. For example: 404 · Page not found – Return to the homepage
4. Flexibility and efficiency of use
The system should adapt to the user’s preferences so that they don’t spend time recalibrating the system. For example: the system allows the user to hide widgets.
5. Aesthetic and minimalist design
Interfaces shouldn’t overwhelm the user with unnecessary information so that the user can focus on the primary task. For example: using a task centric layout.
6. Help and documentation
Help content should be easy for the user to access and should be written clearly. Ideally, it sits at the top of the screen or in a visible and predictable place.
7. User control and freedom
The user should be able to undo actions, navigate back, save progress, and resume tasks when needed. For example, there is a back button to go back and change previously entered information.
8. Error prevention
The system should prevent mistakes, such as blocking invalid inputs or give the user validation feedback. For example, showing an error if an email address is incorrectly entered.
9. Consistency and standards
Pages should look and behave consistently so the user doesn’t need to relearn the interface on every screen.
10. Match between the system and the real world
The system should use familiar language, icons, and concepts that reflect real-world experiences. For example, using a shopping basket icon to represent online orders helps users immediately understand what actions they have taken within the system. This alignment reduces confusion and makes the interface more intuitive.
In conclusion
Using this framework consistently has helped ground assessments in defined heuristics rather than gut instinct. If you’re looking for a strong starting point to evaluate an app or website, this framework is for you.
Comment down below if you’ve used this framework or any others to assess the usability of a website.
I am committed to nurturing the next generation of female leaders in technology and facilitating pathways for their success.
As a Digital Education Support Analyst, I provide assistance and guidance to individuals using digital educational tools and platforms. This includes troubleshooting technical issues, offering training sessions, and developing resources to enhance the digital learning experience.
What do I love about my role?
The opportunity to empower others in their educational journey through the effective use of technology.
How did I get here?
My fascination with education technology began during my time at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, where I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems with a minor in Business Administration, and a concentration in UI/UX design. Following my passion, I crossed continents and found myself at The Harvard Graduate School of Education, where I pursued a Master’s degree in Technology, Innovation & Education.
Over the course of my academic journey, I’ve been exposed to cutting-edge educational technologies and pedagogical approaches, broadening my perspectives on education and its intersection with technology. Alongside my educational endeavours, I gained experience in student services and worked as an Applications Analyst at Qatar Foundation. More recently, I was entrusted with establishing an ICT department for an upcoming school and university.
My future aspirations
I am driven to expand my role in mentoring and empowering young women within the tech industry. My experience as an alumni interviewer for Harvard has granted me a unique perspective, now finding myself on the opposite side of the table where I once sat. Moreover, being nominated for the ‘Everywoman’ awards in the Digital Star category has intensified my dedication to supporting and championing women in digital fields.
I am determined to advance my expertise in educational technology and pursue leadership roles in this domain. I am enthusiastic about exploring opportunities for advanced training and certifications, which will deepen my understanding and enable me to make a more significant impact in the realm of digital education.
I would also love to be involved in the creation of internship programs tailored specifically for young women. These initiatives aim to provide them with invaluable opportunities for learning and growth in a supportive environment. Such programs not only offer practical skills and experience, but also foster a collaborative community where both mentors and interns can learn from each other. I am committed to nurturing the next generation of female leaders in technology and facilitating pathways for their success.
My influences
My parents have been the most influential and inspiring figures in both my career and personal life. They have always been my pillars of support, giving me the wings to fly and encouraging me to dream big. From a young age, they instilled in me the belief that nothing academically was ever off-limits, regardless of my gender. Their unwavering support and encouragement propelled me to pursue my passions and strive for excellence in all endeavors.
One of the most valuable lessons they imparted to me was the importance of continuous learning and self improvement. They always encouraged me to up skill myself and pursue further education, knowing that knowledge is the key to unlocking new opportunities and achieving success. Their belief in my potential and their dedication to my personal and professional growth have been instrumental in shaping the person I am today.
Maintaining a work-life balance
Creating a work-life balance is crucial for my well-being, and I prioritise it by taking life outside work as seriously as in work. I plan my week and weekends in advance, ensuring I have events and activities to look forward to. One activity that fulfills and energises me is networking. Being new to London, I thoroughly enjoy meeting new people and exploring the vibrant restaurant scene in the city.
Whether it’s attending Harvard alumni socials or participating in Ramadan meetups, London offers a plethora of opportunities for social engagement. These networking events not only allow me to expand my professional circle but also enable me to immerse myself in the rich cultural diversity of the city. By engaging in activities that bring me joy and fulfillment, I find that I can recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
My advice
One invaluable piece of advice for women entering the tech industry is to prioritise education, recognising that knowledge is a powerful asset that can’t be taken away. Give yourself due credit for your work, and don’t shy away from occupying the space you deserve in any room. Embrace the confidence to contribute your ideas and skills and when you do so, don’t forget to portray kindness and empathy to other women who were once in your shoes.
I feel there is something new to learn every day and it can be from anyone we meet.
I am the Head of Research Management Applications. Along with my brilliant team (Chris Gibbs, Antonio Aliberti and Anthony Thomas), I look after the various applications that support the research lifecycle at Imperial.
What do I love about my role?
Our focus is to make the journey of a researcher (from idea to publication) smooth and world-class. What I love about my job is the variety of work that we get to do as part of this. One day we are debugging complex java/python code while another day we are with a researcher to understand their requirements to conduct secure research. The range of technologies that we work on makes everyday interesting.
How did I get here?
I finished my Master’s degree in Computer Applications in 2005 when I started my career with Oracle as an Oracle Applications Technical consultant. I grabbed opportunities to progress my career as they came along and had the honour of working with prestigious companies like ADT Security Services, Hewlett-Packard. I finally made my way to Imperial in 2014.
My future aspirations
I want to build a team which is resilient and has each others’ back. I strongly believe that the success of a manager comes from making their team successful.
My influences
If I have learnt valuable life lessons from the most experienced people in my life, I was reminded about the basics of life by my younger son, who once said to me at 3 years old, when he noticed I was getting anxious because of an issue – “Mummy, take a deep breath and relax, you will be fine!”
Managing a work-life balance
One of the most important aspects of my work-life balance is my strong family support – a loving and resilient husband, who always has my back and two adorable and co-operative children who understand that mummy may not be always able to cook them hot dinners, yet they’re still happy to just be by my side!
I enjoy early morning runs to maintain my physical and mental health. I also love cooking and hosting parties for family and friends.
My advice
My advice to aspiring women in tech is that if you have come this far, you will be great! There is nothing you can’t achieve if you commit to it. Just remember to prioritize your health and wellbeing too.
I feel there is something new to learn every day and it can be from anyone we meet. All my managers at Imperial have inspired me and a commonality among all of them was their passion for what they were doing and excellence in their work.
Want to join ICT?
We have some great and diverse roles in ICT, and we are always on the look out for the best tech talent.
If you are interested in human behaviour and business technology, you can help design great IT systems.
I’m a product owner in the Student Lifecycle Product Line squad, co-ordinating and prioritising the work we are delivering to harmonise and improve students’ experiences of their Imperial journey.
How did I get here?
I came from a customer services background, having worked in and managed centres in various industries. I was seconded to an ICT project and saw the work of a business analyst and realised I was fascinated by how business teams and ICT have to adapt to work together to achieve the right outcomes, and how hard that is to get right!
The step from BA to Product Owner seemed sensible especially as I learned more about Agile methods of delivery and it made a lot of sense to me.
My future aspirations
I don’t really think about much the future; I’m more drawn to what seems like the most interesting challenge. That’s probably a terrible thing from an earnings perspective, but I’d rather be happy than rich!
My influences
My heroine is Alice in Wonderland. There are lots of good analogies in those stories – both good and bad – for how business sometimes works! But no matter what was going on around her, Alice was always curious and open to her next adventure (plus an everlasting tea party sounds great)!
Managing a work-life balance
I’m interested in lots of things and as part of my midlife crisis I have recently taken a drawing class, tried stand-up comedy, joined a choir, and started doing fitness classes in quite a serious way. When I’m on campus if I’m not in the office you’ll probably find me poking around in the Abdus Salam Library – it’s an amazing perk to have one within such easy reach. So the same scattergun approach applies in both my personal life and career!
My advice
You really don’t need to have a technical background in coding and development to find a niche in ICT – I certainly don’t! If you are interested in human behaviour and business technology, you can help design great IT systems.
Want to join ICT?
We have some great and diverse roles in ICT, and we are always on the look out for the best tech talent.
“I believe that the most important thing is to be curious and open minded, and not be afraid of change, because it allows us to grow and improve.”
I’m currently on secondment with the ASK Development team as a Junior Developer after having completed the ServiceNow Bootcamp during summer 2023.
What do I love about my role?
I really enjoy working with and using the ServiceNow platform, and I hope to advance to an expert level.
How did I get here?
Years ago, my background was more focused in arts and crafts. I used to have a cake shop in Sardinia before moving to the UK about 11 years ago. After working as a cake designer for four years in London, I decided to change my career path to concentrate on IT.
I began as a junior first line analyst in an investment bank before being given the chance to work in asset management. This gave me the opportunity to get a job at Imperial in a similar position. Alongside this, I resumed my academic studies to obtain a BA degree, which I completed during the pandemic.
My influences
My younger sister and one of my friends motivated me to change careers. They both helped me to realise that I did not have to limit myself and to think outside the box.
Managing a work-life balance
I love starting new activities and some of my favourite hobbies are knitting and crocheting and studying new languages.
My advice
If you’re interested in technology, start with the basics and figure out which area you want to specialise in. It is such a broad field that you will be able to pick a path that aligns with your goals.
I believe that the most important thing is to be curious, open minded, and not be afraid of change, because it allows us to grow and improve.
Want to join ICT?
We have some great and diverse roles in ICT, and we are always on the look out for the best tech talent.
As women in technology we should use our strengths relating to engagement and multi-tasking to deliver great solutions. You have a voice – use it! Don’t be embarrassed to ask about areas that you feel need more focus and never be afraid to ask follow-up questions.
I joined Imperial in December 2021 as the Change and Release Lead. This means I track planned changes within our environment to ensure they have been planned and tested via release management and then considered by their peers through the change management process.
For the last nine months I have also been covering the IT Service Management (ITSM) Lead role which has meant as well as dealing with change and release Management I have had to oversee the processes, procedures and work related to the service we provide. This covers a broad range of areas including advice, solution development and service improvement.
What do I love about my role?
One of the best things about this role is the variety of areas that you get to engage with. This ensures you are always ready and able to learn about other areas being worked on and allows you to consider it from all sides including the technical, user and customer journeys, as well as any impacts relating to downtime, communications, users and any simultaneous conflicting activities or changes
In my role as the ITSM Lead, I really enjoy engaging with different business areas and finding ways we can improve how they deliver their services and the way they work, which all in turn improves user experience and customer satisfaction.
How did I get here?
Prior to joining Imperial, I worked in local government working for Southwark Council for 18 years starting off as a personal assistant and moving into project management. I dealt with everything from business reviews to headquarter fitouts. I was focussed more on the customer side with an external IT Service provider where we needed to manage their service delivery and engagement to ensure any required changes to take place were planned into the schedule.
I worked as the equivalent of a Product Owner for a number of the property management systems which were used to manage the council’s assets and deliver the housing, revenues and benefits services. I was able to get a well-rounded view of systems and services through third-party procurement process and on occasion having to transition these service back to an in-house provision.
Having initially trained in the Prince 2 project management style I have also completed a number of courses in human-centred design and the UK Government Digital Services’ design principles.
My future aspirations
In the future, I would like to get an in-depth understanding of every product we manage. I look forward to watching the development of the replacement for ICIS and SOV as part of the Great Service programme.
I enjoy seeing the pride and ownership we show in ICT in delivering the best we can for our students and customers. I am interested in moving into a product owner role as I like the idea of being able to deep dive into one section of services and doing all I can to ensure that we are getting the best outcomes and improvements for our users and customers.
My influences
I am grateful for my experience of powerful women who have demonstrated that through commitment and hard work, you can be proud of who you are and know that you have done the best that you can.
There is satisfaction to be found in a job well done and it is so important to do something you enjoy. I have a bad habit of working too much, but balance this with knowing that I will be able to hold my head up and know that I did all I could.
I have had a number of managers who always ensured they built their staff up and supported them in progressing and developing even if that would mean they moved on. I ensure I take the same approach with my team and that my staff know exactly what they are expected to undertake and ensure they are appropriately challenged and have opportunities to learn and develop. I believe that by providing a safe and supportive team environment, you can inspire staff to take ownership and initiative of the work they do and they will then model this behaviour in their engagement with others.
Managing a work-life balance
I find it hard to be idle so I enjoy a number of hobbies – some would say too many! I originally trained as a chef, and although having to cook for my husband and three children means it can feel more like a chore, I still love baking and find the routine and process relaxing,delicious and not at all disrupted by listening to true crime podcasts!
When I get some time to sit down and watch television, I am usually crocheting or working on a Sashiko project which help to address my creative side and I love that at the end you have something to show for your efforts.
My advice
Always try and avoid going into a situation with preconceived ideas and solutions.
Put yourself in the shoes of your customers, the agents and the technical side and ensure that you consider the entire user journey to identify where the issues are, so that any proposed solution is fit for purpose, delivers what you set out to achieve and improves the overall user experience.
As women in technology we should use our strengths relating to engagement and multi-tasking to deliver great solutions. You have a voice – use it! Don’t be embarrassed to ask about areas that you feel need more focus and never be afraid to ask follow-up questions.
Want to join ICT?
We have some great and diverse roles in ICT, and we are always on the look out for the best tech talent.
Lizzie Eustace, Head of Communications and Jenny Rae, Chief Information Officer promoting ICT at the Women in Tech Festival 2023. (Image copyright The Channel Company)
Ten of our ICT staff attended the Women in Tech Festival 2024 to celebrate women who are shaping the technology industry and to meet up with women from across the tech sector who are advancing organisational diversity, making unmatched connections, and empowering and cultivating female leaders.
The festival was hosted by Computing and CRN, to ‘bring together the brightest minds and most influential women to connect with each other, share their stories and encourage future leaders.’
ICT merchandise (Image copyright: The Channel Company)
ICT sponsored the event and had a stall to showcase our Women in ICT campaign that encourages women to ‘Join or community of problem solvers’ as part of our recruitment efforts.
It was a really exciting and packed agenda, with many breakout sessions focussed on leadership, inclusivity and accessibility, as well as mentoring sessions available to support career progression.
The event hosted some inspirational talks from Olivia Schofield on Creating Networks and Patricia Gestoso, Global Director, Customer Support and Operations, BIOVIA, on Automated out of work: AI’s impact on the female workforce. But the best bit was being able to meet and network with so many women over lunch and during breaks.
It is better to give, than to receive!
Bouquette Kabatepe, our Digital Accessibility Officer, appreciated Olvia’s advice.
“My favourite was the keynote speaker Olivia Schofield, and her simple advice on networking of go out there and offer to “give” first.
Jenny Rae, Chief Information Officer, agreed that you should “build your network! Events like Women in Tech give you the great opportunity to hear from people who you can learn from and also give back to by sharing your knowledge and experience.”
Bouquette gave herself a target of connecting with ten people on LinkedIn that day, which she managed to hit, including Olivia herself!
Bouquette Kabatepe and Caroline Carter networking (Image copyright The Channel Company)
Bouquette says: “Sometimes realistic achievable targets are good for one’s self-confidence. Even if it just means proving to yourself that you can achieve the targets you set for yourself.”
Olvia suggested going out there and offering to ‘give first’ and think about what you can offer and help other people with. This mindset of giving and helping others first is a really great thing we can take back to our team in ICT and will greatly improve our service, especially when it comes to thinking about our user-centric approach to product delivery. If we all give first, the returns can be enormous!
“I have ten new connections now who are lovely and successful people in their areas. And I met them in person at the event – how cool is that!” Bouquette Kabatepe, Digital Accessibility Officer, ICT
Small changes helping people reach their full potential
Lizzie Eustace, Head of Communications, gave a great overview of the day and reflected on the many highlights and, how great it was to share them with so many fellow ICT colleagues.
“After a fabulous breakfast buffet spread, I sat down with the event brochure and met my first challenge – deciding which sessions to go to. They were all interesting!
My highlights were learning more about neurodiversity in the workplace and hearing from a panel of experts who were not only knowledgeable and experienced in their field, but also diagnosed with neurodiversity themselves. Their honesty and insight highlighted how small changes in the workplace can help everyone reach their full potential and thrive.
The session inspired me to learn more so I researched the topic on Gartner and spoke to some colleagues who also expressed an interest and desire to ensure we continue to strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace. I’d love to see Imperial do more to embrace neurodiversity.
Jenny agreed with recognising the “importance of embracing diversity across our teams and utilsing the different skills and approaches a diverse team can bring.”
One of the final speakers was Amanda Brook, CEO of OpenUK. Amanda trained as a lawyer and now specialises in open-source law which for anyone interested in this area it is truly fascinating.
“I found myself frequently inspired by the women leaders and speakers which left me with a warm glow and renewed passion for working in the tech sector.” Lizzie Eustace, Head of Communications, ICT
Closing the visbility gap
Judy Asenguah, Technology Delivery Manager, most enjoyed the session on ‘Closing the visibility gap for women in Tech’ by Rupal Patel. Judy said “As women in tech we are ready and we are enough as we are. We don’t need to fake it to make it! Confidence is not fixed – anyone can practice being confident until they are, it’s a learning process.”
“I will start challenging assumptions about myself and understand that I will make mistakes along my journey and learn from them”. Judy Asenguah, Technology Delivery Manager
Robert Sprigens, Product Portfolio Officer and EDI Champion for ICT found the issue of underrepresentation in technology is not just exclusive to this one industry. There were multiple organisations from a variety of industries, all showing commitment to improve representation in their technology functions.
Robert said apart from the fun Halloween-themed food, the best thing about the event was the positive response to Imperial as a university being amongst the private sector organisations, showing its commitment to improve the number of women in the technology field. We really demonstrated our message that Higher Education is a modern environment, with a variety of tech opportunities.
Robert took many ideas away from the event but will ensure openness and honesty through conversation as a major step forward in overcoming challenges at work. Conversations help share ideas and solutions.
“Adopting techniques used by other people isn’t cheating, it is shared learning.” Robert Sprigens, Product Portfolio Officer
Jenny suggests, “We all need to take time out to reflect and learn from others – self development is something we have to make happen as you drive your own career.”
I’ve recently been appointed the role of Chief Information Officer (CIO)*. In this role, I lead the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Division at Imperial and I am responsible for all aspects of Imperial’s Technology Strategy which will support the organisation to realise its digital ambitions.
“My passion is in bringing product management practices to IT departments, with the goal of delivering business value through technology.”
How did I get here?
My passion is in bringing product management practices to IT departments, with the goal of delivering business value through technology, and that is why I joined Imperial in January 2022 in my first role in Higher Education (HE) as the Director of Digital Products.
Prior to this, I spent a large part of my career in the telecoms industry working for Vodafone, BT and OneWeb in a variety of product management and business transformation roles. I have fifteen years’ experience in product management and business transformation, and have worked for FTSE companies in senior positions, but I also have experience working in the start-up world, which has given me a greater understanding of differing organisational structures, values and their customers’ needs.
“Spend time understanding the organisation you are in and how it operates, this will help you to change the role of IT in the organisation and build relationships in teams outside of your own.”
I studied a Business and Operations Management degree at Oxford Brookes and have an MBA in Business Administration from Henley Business School – this gave me the knowledge to put into practice in my career, but I am always continuing to learn.
*Jenny was appointed Imperial’s interim CIO in 2022 and was appointed CIO in October 2023.
My future aspirations
I want to create amazing experiences for our Imperial students and staff, delivering this through cross-functional empowered teams who are all working towards the same vision.
My advice
You should focus on outcomes rather than output. Technology isn’t a standalone activity; it can transform an organisation when it is used to achieve an outcome.
Spend time understanding the organisation you are in and how it operates, this will help you to change the role of IT in the organisation and build relationships in teams outside of your own.
Victor Richards not only gained 25,000 steps in one day during his work experience placement, but also gained comms skills and insights into the world of work at Imperial. Victor spent three days within ICT and Property Communications teams, focusing on photography. Hear from Victor in his own words:
Cascade 
I am driven to expand my role in mentoring and empowering young women within the tech industry. My experience as an alumni interviewer for Harvard has granted me a unique perspective, now finding myself on the opposite side of the table where I once sat. Moreover, being 
Creating a work-life balance is crucial for my well-being, and I prioritise it by taking life outside work as seriously as in work. I plan my week and weekends in advance, ensuring I have events and activities to look forward to. One activity that fulfills and energises me is networking. Being new to London, I thoroughly enjoy meeting new people and exploring the vibrant restaurant scene in the city.
If I have learnt valuable life lessons from the most experienced people in my life, I was reminded about the basics of life by my younger son, who once said to me at 3 years old, when he noticed I was getting anxious because of an issue – “Mummy, take a deep breath and relax, you will be fine!”
I came from a customer services background, having worked in and managed centres in various industries. I was seconded to an ICT project and saw the work of a business analyst and realised I was fascinated by how business teams and ICT have to adapt to work together to achieve the right outcomes, and how hard that is to get right!
I’m interested in lots of things and as part of my midlife crisis I have recently taken a drawing class, tried stand-up comedy, joined a choir, and started doing fitness classes in quite a serious way. When I’m on campus if I’m not in the office you’ll probably find me poking around in the Abdus Salam Library – it’s an amazing perk to have one within such easy reach. So the same scattergun approach applies in both my personal life and career!
I find it hard to be idle so I enjoy a number of hobbies – some would say too many! I originally trained as a chef, and although having to cook for my husband and three children means it can feel more like a chore, I still love baking and find the routine and process relaxing,delicious and not at all disrupted by listening to true crime podcasts!
Prior to this, I spent a large part of my career in the telecoms industry working for Vodafone, BT and OneWeb in a variety of product management and business transformation roles. I have fifteen years’ experience in product management and business transformation, and have worked for FTSE companies in senior positions, but I also have experience working in the start-up world, which has given me a greater understanding of differing organisational structures, values and their customers’ needs.