Spotlight Interview with Head of Engineering, Tanya Spate
We had the privilege of speaking with Tanya Spate, an accomplished individual serving as the Head of Engineering at Infogrid. Through this interview for Women in Engineering Day, we asked key questions about her accomplishments, challenges and what lies ahead for women in the industry, showcasing just how much is possible within this space!
Tell us a little about your history in the engineering industry?
I started in the engineering industry in 2015 as someone who had never touched code before. I started to build a stock system for the company I worked for, first in Excel and then in a piece of software called Microsoft Access which is where my coding really began. I became hooked. I begged for over a year to be allowed to move into the IT department. Finally, they gave me a chance in 2015.
8 years later I’m a Head of Engineering at a green tech start-up looking after around 15 people. I’ve worked in Healthcare, E-Commerce, Digital agencies and Finance where my team reached circa 45+. I work closely with my Managers to create a sense of community, a space where everyone can fail and question the status quo in order for continuous growth in people and our tech.
What has been your most rewarding experience since joining the engineering industry?
As a leader, I get to support people through their career aspirations. There is nothing better than seeing someone lack confidence in themselves and helping them to learn to fly.
What do you think are some of the advantages of being a woman in the engineering industry?
Achieving a balance between work and personal life is remarkable, especially if you have children. This allows me to manage my professional growth while also being available to drop off and pick up my son, and spend quality time with him.
What do you find are the biggest challenges working within the engineering industry?
I find the biggest challenge is good feedback that can help to implement change. As leaders the further we move up the fewer people we have around us and it’s easy to get into a habit of thinking that feedback isn’t as important, the ‘it can wait’ mentality or being afraid of it as we fear the outcome. However, I’m a big believer that feedback is even more important the further you move up in a company.
The theme of this year is #MakeSafetySeen. What do you think the engineering industry could do more of, support with, or make advances with to work towards a brighter future?
I think we need to open up more opportunities for women who never saw the engineering industry as an option. Most job specifications still state a computer science degree is necessary when in reality there are a lot of exceptional self-taught developers in the industry today. There are a few career switcher programs out there but I don’t think people know they exist unless they go looking for them. We need to be spreading the word on the type of roles that exist in the engineering industry to educate as many people as we can from all stages of life.
What advice would you give other women who are considering entering the industry?
Always be yourself. It’s easy when in this industry to accept the way things are and follow along with the masses. Don’t be afraid to be different and to question.
What is next for you in your career?
One of my greatest Managers once said, “Your best roles are in front of you.” I hope to remember this quote and apply it wherever I end up going in life.
Connect with Tanya on LinkedIn
