Inspired by Ada Lovelace’s legacy as the world’s first computer programmer, we teamed up with AtkinsRéalis to spotlight women shaping the future of tech today. AtkinsRéalis embodies the same spirit of innovation Ada championed - using data and technology to design sustainable cities, build critical infrastructure and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
We spoke with Candice Long, Dhruvi Parikh, Fran Bond and Millie C about their journeys into tech, the diverse roles available, and what the future of the industry looks like in an AI-powered world.
Here’s what they shared with us.
NO WRONG TURNS: DIFFERENT PATHWAYS INTO TECH
There is no single “right” route into a tech career - and these women prove it.
Fran started out in a secretarial role with a languages background, not a technical one.
“I don’t have a tech background,” Fran explains. “My strengths are networking, presenting and confidence building. Today, as an IT Asset Lifecycle Management Director, a huge part of my role is about listening and supporting my team. Those so-called ‘soft’ skills are what make me effective.”
Candice began her career in retail, trained as a mechanic, and worked in health and safety before finding her way into tech.
“I never imagined I’d end up in a digital role,” says Candice. “I met someone from AtkinsRéalis at a village Christmas party who told me about the opportunities in tech. I applied and now work as a Digital Solutions Engineer. It just shows that the right conversation at the right time can change everything.”
Millie found her path to cybersecurity consultancy through hands-on experience.
“I did work experience with AtkinsRéalis in rail telecoms and was offered an electrical and electronic engineering apprenticeship based on that,” she says. “I went on to do a degree apprenticeship in Digital & Technology Solutions. That mix of learning and doing gave me confidence early on.”
Dhruvi followed a more traditional route - and shows that’s valid too.
“For me it was a clear decision from school,” she shares. “I loved maths, moved into computer science, started as a software developer and joined AtkinsRéalis as a Product Analyst. I’m now a Research & Development Lead.”
There are endless opportunities in tech, whether you have a knack for numbers or you’re a people person. “It's about being bold" says Fran - attending events and putting yourself out there could be the key to you finding your future role.
NO STUPID QUESTIONS: LEARNING ON THE JOB
Spoiler alert: no one in tech knows everything.
Tech is built on constant change – which means successful people are the ones who keep asking questions.
“I will always be honest if I don’t understand something,” says Fran. “At AtkinsRéalis we talk about failing fast.”
Standing out can feel scary. We all remember the feeling of not knowing something in school. But here's the truth - in tech, being the one who asks questions isn't a weakness. It's your superpower. Ask questions and think differently: what would Ada Lovelace do?
LEARNER TO LEADER: BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE
At Next Tech Girls, we believe that women in tech are stronger together – and these women's stories show what happens when we use our voices to lead and lift others.
“Senior management was highly dominated by men,” says Dhruvi. “In ten years I’d never had a female boss. I wanted to be the example I didn’t see. Today I’m leading a team of three very capable and smart women.”
For Millie, starting early helped her grow fast:
“I matured quickly because I was working while I studied,” she says of her apprenticeship experience. “Through hard work and support, I’ve had promotions and now manage my own work, delivering security projects across multiple industries.”
Leadership isn’t just about job titles. It’s about using your position - wherever you are - to make tech more inclusive, empathetic and future-ready.
YOUR FUTURE IN AN AI-POWERED WORLD
So… are the robots coming for your job? The women of AtkinsRéalis say: not if you’re ready to work with them.
“AI isn’t going to replace humans,” says Dhruvi. “But humans who use AI will definitely replace those who don’t.”
AI is changing every industry, and understanding it - even at a basic level - is becoming essential.
“AI will touch almost everything we do,” Dhruvi continues. “That’s why we need more diverse people shaping how it’s built and used."
Millie highlights that human skills are only becoming more important:
“In cyber security, so much of our work is human-centric – understanding behaviours, building trust, communicating risk. Women often excel at those skills, and they’re going to matter even more as AI scales. Perhaps we’ll come to dominate in the advent of AI.”
The tech industry has always been driven by people who dare to imagine something different – from Ada Lovelace’s early algorithms to today’s engineers designing sustainable, secure and intelligent systems.
The women of AtkinsRéalis are living proof that innovation thrives when diverse voices are in the room.
CURIOUS ABOUT A FUTURE IN TECH?
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