Pragruthi what first got you interested in Tech?

As a kid I had a fascination with a PC game ‘Ages of Empire’. It still fascinates me today how clever the in-game AI was and how much tech has evolved since then.

In middle school once of my subject choices was computer science, which introduced me to the world of tech at a very early stage.

Can you tell us a little about your role and what a typical day is like for you?

Recently no two days have been the same. I have been fortunate to get exposed to various aspects and stages of projects from design  development, implementation and support to drafting estimates.  I love the problem-solving aspect of my job: resolving bugs, developing new product ideas and experimenting with new features, which all help to keep me engaged and busy.

What obstacles do Women in Tech face?

Irish statistics show that less than 25% of women work in STEM skilled roles.  This gives an impression that tech might not be a great choice for women, which is absolutely not the case.  As Ireland is now widely viewed as a leading technology hub, more needs to be done at school level to educate girls about the the vast array of opportunities that are available in the STEM World.

What advice would you give to a woman thinking of pursuing a career in technology? 

If you are passionate about technology, then go for it as there are a myriad of opportunities for women in this field. It’s a hugely rewarding career with plenty of scope for career development.

What are your thoughts on the next transformation in the tech industry?

Post-pandemic there may be an online learning revolution for students, which increases the demand for LMS (Learning Management System). I previously used Moodle cloud for one of my thesis on LMS and would highly recommend it.

Also with bitcoin and blockchain becoming popular terms it might be good to see quantum computer and quantum key becoming a reality outside of the lab.

Are there are particular women in tech that have inspired you?

It was inspirational to see how Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer at Facebook, led the social media giant from a $56 million loss in 2008 to an astounding $18.5 billion profit in 2019.  I was given Sheryl Sandberg’s book ‘ Lean In’ as a graduation present, which is a great guide for job hunting and finding your way early in your career.

A quote to live your life by: ” If your offered a seat on a rocket ship , Don’t ask what seat!  Just get on “- Sheryl Sandberg.

When travel restrictions are eventually lifted what destination would you most like to visit?

I would love to visit Greece, in particular the beautiful island of Santorini with it’s picture post card scenery . I also  can’t wait to try their famous classic baklava!