With a knack for analysis and management, Rohela began her digital career path as an insight analyst. As her career progressed in the civil service, Rohela continued to challenge herself and left to become a freelance business analyst. Now she uses forefront technology to deliver solutions for her clients.
After university, like many graduates, I was unsure of what I wanted to do. I knew that I was a very analytical person and I also enjoyed managing projects. I got a role in the Department for Work and Pensions as an Insight analyst, which allowed me to use my analytical skills but also gave me opportunities to speak to the end users of our products. I could understand what worked and what didn’t work for them.
I then became a business analyst in the Home Office, I loved this role as I was able to use my analytical skills but I also got create and manage the requirements of the software engineers when building software/ mobile products. After that role I progressed through the career ladder in the Civil Service and then left to challenge myself in the financial sector.
At the moment, I am working as freelance business analyst for central government. I love my role as I get to challenge my client’s assumptions and get to be part of a team that builds a product that I know will work for the end customers.
Working in government can be tough as you are working with customers that may be going through an incredibly stressful time in their lives, so knowing that you are making their life easier with the product that you have helped to build is a great feeling.
The analytical component of my role and the ability to use cutting-edge technology every day is what I really enjoy about the job. However I also relish going out talking to people who are going to use our products, knowing that it will make their day to day easier.
Working in government can be tough as you are working with customers that may be going through an incredibly stressful time in their lives, so knowing that you are making their life easier is a great feeling.
For other women progressing through the digital industry, my advice would be don’t be embarrassed to admit when you don’t know something.
In the past, I spent a lot of time in meetings not understanding what was being said but was too scared to interrupt and ask questions. I have learnt from experience it’s not just me that doesn’t understand, there are always other people in the room that are in the same boat as you.
When starting out on a digital career I think building a network is key.
Often it is not easy but if you live in an area where there is not an active meetup community then you can create your own physical or virtual network. If you do not currently work in technology/ Digital industry then the easiest and quickest way to build your network is via social media.
Twitter can receive bad press and rightly so but it is a good tool to build a network. I have also noticed that there is a growing number of technologists on Instagram.
