EPIC Centre hosts inspiring women in tech panel for students

The EPIC Centre in Paignton celebrated National Women in Tech Day today with a women-led Q&A panel discussion for KS4 students about careers in technology.

Women in Tech Day, observed on April 4, honours women’s contributions to technology globally. It highlights the need for gender equality in the tech industry and advocates for the advancement of women.

The panel featured NPI Manufacturing Engineer at GLM, Sophia Martin; Applications Engineer at G&H Photonics, Kim Marchant; Digital Marketing Executive at Superb Media, Izzy Lilley; and Sammy, who is currently studying to be an engineering technician at Bay Photonics.

All four women shared insights into their typical working days, career paths, and experiences within the industry. The conversation emphasised the importance of self-confidence, networking, and overcoming imposter syndrome. It also touched on the challenges of balancing career and family, as well as the need for encouragement and support in male-dominated fields.

After the discussion, the speakers gave students a tour of the EPIC Centre’s companies to give a greater sense of their roles and working environments.

Kim, who described herself as being quite new to the area of photonics, said: “I’ve worked in lots of different areas. I have three daughters, and being an engineer, I was always happy if they showed an interest in my subjects. My youngest daughter did, but my middle daughter said she didn’t want to do these technical subjects because there were too many boys, and she wanted to be with her friends. She went down a path she later regretted but was able to turn things around. Now in her 20s, she’s an aircraft mechanic studying to go on and do a degree.

“I think for girls, there is a sort of peer pressure to go into subjects where your friends are. When you’re doing your GCSEs, you’re perhaps not as focused on the distant future of what you want to do for your career. But what I can say from my own experience and my daughter's is that even if you do something that you perhaps don’t feel passionate about, you can still change your career direction later. There’s always a door that opens.”

Sammy said: “You’ve got to own it and fight for what you want. It’s your future at the end of the day. I don’t want you to feel intimidated by males doing it because it doesn’t matter. It’s really important to do what you’re passionate about.”

“As a university student, I remember walking into a lecture hall of over 100 students in my first year and seeing only a handful of girls. That was so intimidating. I think, as a woman, you feel like you have to fit a certain stereotype to be an engineer. In some ways, I had imposter syndrome because I dressed differently from the guys and had different priorities. Some of them were completely focused on the subject, while I wanted to be a more well-rounded person. I think you can do all of those things and bring other qualities to your work that other people might not have.”

When asked what advice she would give to her 14-year-old self, Izzy said: “I would tell myself to be more confident. Speak up when I want to and pursue the things I’m passionate about instead of being afraid of what people will say or fearing failure. I’d also remind myself to be comfortable with failing because it happens.”

You can watch a recording of the event on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/events/7313223387957374976/about/.