Women In IT – Becky Wilson

The second in our series of ‘Women in IT’ blogs is Becky Wilson, Microsoft Licensing Practice Manager in our Microsoft Licensing Team …

How long have you been in the industry?

I have been in the industry for eight years now.

What roles have you held?

I have held varies roles within the industry:

  • Sales Account Manager (Tech Data)
  • Sales Support (Phoenix)
  • Microsoft Business Development Executive (Phoenix)
  • Bids Executive (Phoenix)
  • Microsoft Business Development Manager (Phoenix)
  • Microsoft Licensing Team Leader (Phoenix)
  • Microsoft Licensing Practice Manager (Phoenix)

How long at Phoenix?

I joined Phoenix seven years ago.

What made you choose IT?

I saw it as an opportunity to fund my Master’s degree in Psychology after finishing my Undergraduate degree. Upon finishing my Master’s I was already immersed in the world of IT and had begun to build a good career in the industry. I was finding the industry fast paced and exciting, with lots of different opportunities and varied options for my future.

Did you face any challenges when starting out in the industry?

There are so many different directions you can take in IT.  It took me a while to figure out exactly where I would fit. I loved to write and wanted to have a specialist subject area, which took me to bid writing, but I missed customer interaction. I really get a lot out of building relationships.  IT is such a varied industry, there really is something to suit every skill or need.  It just took me some time to find my place, and that was my biggest challenge.

What changes have you seen in the industry and Phoenix over the years?

More and more women are taking on leadership roles within IT and at Phoenix. Women are given exactly the same opportunities at Phoenix as men, which is really refreshing! We are still a little outnumbered, but I see that changing over time.

What can be done to encourage more women into IT?

I think that there is the view that you need to be male to be a success in IT.  Due to the fast-paced nature of the industry I think that there is a view that it’s a choice between career and family, although I don’t think that this is the case due to the ever-increasing flexibility available, especially at Phoenix. The more exposure to successful women in IT who have balanced their career with their personal lives would be a huge encouragement for others to pursue a career in IT. Moving forward I think a mentor programme would be great.