Shannon Smith

I want to be the voice of the common people! I didn’t have the normal route into IT and do degree and I found for years I battled with imposter syndrome thinking I didn’t deserve to be the in the room. But the more I speak to people, the more I realise I know just as much, maybe a different perspective than the traditional IT route and its important to share. It isn’t just about women in tech, its about getting anyone regardless of background or age into tech. The more inclusive we are, the broader we become. Inclusion creates better vision and collaboration.

I’m a service delivery manager, I am assigned a number of Waterstons clients to essentially be the bridge between the client and their IT Needs. This can be a full managed service, a SOC, Networking, Transformation Technical projects, business consulting – I always explain my role as the translator between Waterstons and the Client.

1. Dynamo board obviously! It’s the first time I’ve ever tried anything like this, and if anything thought the experience of the interview etc would be good. I really never thought I’d get it. I shocked myself, it was a real eye opener to realise that my opinions and perspective matter and its time to share my career story.
2. Coming out of IT – Strange one I know! But I left IT for a year to be an innovation manager, this was actually a real key part of my career, I learnt that my skills were transferable and its really important to take yourself out of your comfort zone to grow and learn further. I came back to IT because I really missed it, but I did  enjoy the exposure of innovation. I worked with NWL on their NUAR project, which is now going a full product being rolled out nationally, its like seeing your baby fly the nest!
3. Being a woman in tech – and not to batter men. When I started my apprenticeship, it was a classic women’s toilets was the cleaning cupboard and they never had a female on the team. To many this might have been really intimidating at 16 gnd off putting but if anything I just drove me further to become successful and inspire more women to come into tech. Things have hugely changed now and I love looking around the room seeing a good split of genders and inclusive companies.

I talk, a lot! I do read a lot of news and LinkedIn feeds, but I love having conversations with people, hearing what they are working on, what did work and what didn’t work – I usually enjoy what didn’t work the most as it brings a real open forum for people to join in the conversation and share their own experiences or ideas.

I’m a mum so I’m taxi to football, cricket and swimming. I’m also the target practice for nerf guns and standing on Lego. When I do get time to myself I love to go on a wander with my camera and practise some photography.

1. Influence and Advocacy  if you want change you’ve got to get involved! There is no point sitting on the side lines and expecting change. Be involved, voice your opinion and work with us.
2. Support region growth – the north east is incredible! Not only do we have some of the best beaches, football teams (red & white only!!) but the people in the north east are brilliant. Everyone is so helpful, friendly & hardworking; I really want to make the north east the buzz of the tech sector so we have a region to celebrate across the UK and beyond.
3. Networking Opportunities – we are all ‘dead canny’ some of us are slightly funny, some are really clever, but we are all a really friendly bunch. Everyone involved wants to drive the sector growth, their personal and business development, there is so much access to resource through our events, training programmes, workshops. We are a really good community of tech and non tech companies, and I think by building a network of us then there are only more positive benefits for everyone.