Next Tech Girls Team
Less than 1 in 5 people in the UK tech industry are women – our aim is to prove that the next generation are ready to smash the stereotype and break into the industry. Here’s what happened.
Next Tech Fest 2024: An Overview
Hosted by NatWest Group, this year's fully-booked event welcomed over 300 aspiring tech professionals from across the UK. Featuring a jam-packed agenda, our attendees dove into sessions including exploring emergent technology with Digitas, discovering user-centred design with Triad, and trying their hand at coding in Python with the team from NatWest.
Over 30 volunteer mentors from organisations including Google, LinkedIn and IBM facilitated Speed Mentoring sessions and shared their experience from across the industry. These mentors represented a wide range of roles, including Software Engineers, Scrum Masters, Product Managers and Data Analysts, and offered attendees valuable insights into the diverse career paths available in tech.
Key Stats from Next Tech Fest 2024
In just two years, Next Tech Fest has become a powerhouse for change in the tech industry. We’ve seen phenomenal growth, from attendee numbers to the organisations contributing their expertise to bring the event to life.
200% increase in attendance year-on-year
12 workshops, 2 panels and 2 speed mentoring sessions
Over 30 mentors from more than 20 different organisations including LinkedIn, Google, IBM, Deutsche Bank and the NHS
100% of attendees left feeling inspired
94% can’t wait to come back next year!
Highlights from Our Attendees
Mayukha, a sixth form student who attended said, “I was extremely inspired. I loved the range of workshops and how friendly everyone was. The speed mentoring was my favourite session as we could individually ask our questions and get a personal story of a woman in tech.”
Mona, a university student, agreed. She said “One of the mentors, Emma, was amazing. She had so many helpful insights!”
Connecting aspiring women in tech with industry role models is a huge part of the work we do at Next Tech Girls, and Next Tech Fest was no different. Four founders of tech start-ups joined our Changemakers panel to share their insights at the event. Speaking of her experience, Hamdi, a sixth form student said "Hearing these role models who I see as superhumans share their experience of mental health struggles and how to overcome them made me feel like I can be like them!”
Insights from Our Directors
We caught up with our Directors, Emily Hall-Strutt and Gayle Thompson-Igwebike, to hear how initiatives like Next Tech Fest are supporting future careers. Gayle said:
“It was a privilege to host today's event, there was so much energy and talent in the room! Seeing young women connect with the experienced mentors was exactly what we set out to do. This event isn't just about inspiration—it's about building powerful networks to form real pathways into tech.”
Emily agrees. She says “At Next Tech Girls, we know that the future is bright and brimming with potential, the remarkable growth in attendance proves it. Our job is to fuel that potential by providing the right tools for the journey. Looking to the future, our aim is to forge new partnerships, and expand our reach so we can ensure that every woman with a passion for tech has the chance to thrive in the industry.”
If you’re excited to start your tech journey, here are our top takeaways from the event.
5 Key Takeaways for Your Tech Journey
1. Every pathway into tech is valid
There’s no one ‘right way’ to get into tech. We heard from speakers who had joined the industry through bootcamps, apprenticeships and university. Focus on your learning style and goals. As Jennifer Okoh, a Makers graduate said “In a bootcamp, you're coding from day one. The experience is hands-on with real-world situations.” If you like a practical learning environment, this could be right for you. If you prefer a mix of theory and practice at a slower pace, university could be your path. This insight was also echoed by Sian Wilson of Day One, during their "You Are Enough" workshop, which gave attendees the confidence and skills to shine in interviews and land their dream jobs, whatever their chosen tech career path.
2. Build your personal brand
In our Personal Branding workshop hosted by Saragossa, our speakers said “Ignore the pressure to sound a certain way on LinkedIn; employers want to know what you bring to the table. Find your own voice and be confident to stand out on LinkedIn, while your CV should be more straightforward. Be mindful of the industry you work in. Some sectors like finance might require a more subtle tone, but there’s always space to give your profile your own unique stamp.”
3. Work your network
There’s no reason to go it alone if you’re looking to get into tech. Organisations like Next Tech Girls can offer advice on how to start a tech career, get valuable hands-on work experience or meet some new friends. Crucially, they open the door to a community of young women on the same journey as you, and experienced women, working in the industry, who can share words of wisdom. Join the Next Tech Girls community by signing up to our newsletter.
4. Find a mentor
Speed mentoring was the number one session at Next Tech Fest. A mentor can help you find the right path into the industry and offer advice throughout your career. LinkedIn is a great platform to find a mentor, but there are many other professional networks who can support your career growth. At Next Tech Girls, our Role Model community share their stories and experience of breaking boundaries in the tech industry. They help guide young women who are new to the industry to navigate challenges, build confidence, and achieve success in their tech careers.
5. Know your worth and master negotiation
Empiric hosted a session on how to negotiate, a key skill for a thriving tech career. Remember, it's a two-way conversation—so know your priorities before you step into the room. Is it salary, work-life balance, or something else that matters most to you? Being clear about what you want will help you advocate effectively and find the right fit for your career goals.
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Watch the Next Tech Fest recap below:
