Last week, the Vogue Codes Summit gave us the opportunity to hear from the likes of Karen Walker, Shama Sukul Lee of Sunfed, Valeria Ignatieva of Work180 and our very own Lucy Lloyd, CEO of Mentorloop.
Lucy and Valeria led the panel discussion, “Work wonders: startups, dream jobs and how technology is changing the game” sharing learnings and insight from the past four years. They challenged assumptions and unpacked the true experience of being a co-founder of a female-led startup and the importance of mentoring in their journey.
“The biggest superpower you can have, is a willingness to ask for help” – Lucy Lloyd
CIO of Westpac, Anastasia Cammaroto, summed it up – “Women in tech shouldn’t be science fiction.”
It absolutely shouldn’t.
And so we’re thrilled to have spent the day with the three winners of our Vogue Codes competition, driven to empower the next generation of women in tech.
Gen Pyman, 21
Innovation is a word that is thrown around a fair bit these days but walking into the Vogue Codes event in Melbourne this week felt like a place where people really were shifting the common narrative. I was in awe of the entrepreneurs, influencers and global business owners in the room, numerous industries brought together in the name of technology. It was incredible to see fashion driving so many important conversations, especially around gender equity, sustainability and ethical consumerism.
The day left me with many key takeaways, but I think the greatest insight for me was redefining what it means to have a career in tech. So many women spoke about their experiences of moving into a field they weren’t perceived to have the technical skills for, but it was a welcome change to hear Lucy ban the label “non-technical co-founder.” Seeing women thrive in their work because of their intelligence, confidence and a healthy dose of optimism is an incredible feat. I am very grateful to the Mentorloop team for the opportunity to attend the event and cannot wait to hear the many more success stories to come!
What’s next for Gen?
Digital technologies have created a fundamental shift in human-computer interaction. Where the digital and physical world used to be almost completely distinct, we are now witnessing the two intertwine. Bringing material themes into the digital sphere, I hope to build a career that can augment human experience and assist in solving some of the most pressing challenges of today.
With a background in life sciences and science communication, I am particularly interested in digital disruption in health and education. I hope to be a driving force behind digital technologies in healthcare, developing a holistic and personalised approach to health.
Amy Wolchyn, 21
I really loved hearing from Karen Walker! She was so well spoken, and the way she talked about social media really made me think differently about branding and storytelling. It was a completely different view on it that I had never considered before.
As a fashion student, I also was really interested in what was said on the Sustainability in Fashion panel. It’s really fantastic to hear about all the innovation going on in fashion and tech, and it’s really inspiring! I had a really fantastic time at Vogue Codes, and I’ll keep the day with me for a long time!
What’s next for Amy?
Technology is the present and the future, and I want to be in the thick of it. I want to develop the future that I want to live in; sustainable, exciting, and human-centred. We live our lives surrounded by all sorts of technology, and I am excited to build a future in which this technology can help us become better friends, more caring community members, and happier people.
Erika Hamilton, 21
Growing up in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, my access to STEM subjects at school and innovative companies was very limited. I was taught general science at school until year nine as there weren’t enough skilled teachers to teach speciality arms like biology, physics or chemistry… I never thought I was someone who could work in STEM as I don’t have a science or mathematics background and that’s the version of STEM that was portrayed to me.
VOGUE Codes helped me realise that working in the field of STEM is not strictly about science and numbers, it’s about a drive for answers, continually asking questions and indulging in your creativity. I discovered new businesses and ideas that will shape the world of tomorrow and met inspiring women doing work that I would love to be a part of. Thank you Mentorloop for giving me the opportunity to sit at the table and discover the future of STEM and the inspiring women that are involved in this movement.
What’s next for Erika?
I believe that digital technology has the power to connect humankind in a way we have never seen before. It breaks down barriers between us like nothing else has before, and allows so many different voices to be heard and have their own platform. I am excited about a world that becomes more connected and more inclusive as it progresses and changes faster than we could ever imagine.
Personally, I’m so thrilled to see the next generation of women after me so excited, inspired and tenacious when it comes to building a career in STEMM.
With so many options it can be difficult to navigate a career in its early stages. A mentor can provide that much-needed direction, reflection and support – unlike many other relationships.
