Learn from Nakai as she shares her experience and gives advice for attending IT's not just for the boys!

I started researching career events in my last year of university and came across TARGETjobs IT’s not just for the boys! event. This was indeed a lucky find!

In order to attend the event it was necessary to submit an application. I was nervous, as it was more detailed than I had initially anticipated. Looking back, the information that I used in this application really helped me with subsequent applications. It’s also a great opportunity to get down ‘on paper’ what excites you about the technology sector.

There was a telephone interview prior to the event. This was a great opportunity to practice all the skills required for future internship, placement and graduate job telephone interviews.

Before the interviews and the event I was quite nervous so browsing the IT’s not just for the boys! website and seeing how lively and engaging past events looked, was really helpful. I also used this as an opportunity to research and highlight companies that I was interested in. This was invaluable as there were so many companies I had never even considered, especially as I didn’t come from a stereotypical computer engineering background. It really proved to me that there were opportunities in the technology field for someone like me.

Just before the event I was extremely nervous as I had only been to a few on-campus networking events and nothing of this size. I made sure I picked an outfit that was clean, presentable, professional and comfortable. This meant I could really engage with the speakers and activities and not worry about anything as the day went on.

The day itself was amazing and went by so quickly! The speakers, especially Anne-Marie Imafidon’s inspiring talk, really got me motivated for the rest of the day. Especially as it resonated so much with me and the other girls that were there. There were group activities later on and this gave you an opportunity to meet and speak to my peers, this was great as I didn’t know anyone prior to attending.

By the end of the evening it was difficult to leave – as I tried to say goodbye and thank you to everyone (plus attempting to jot down everyone’s names for LinkedIn and/or Facebook at a later date). However, this was great because I met quite a few other girls at subsequent interviews and assessment centre days (and I think seeing a friendly face at these future stages really put me at ease).

I thoroughly enjoyed the day and ended up attending several assessment centres and interviews for graduate schemes as a result. I am really pleased to say that I will be taking up a positon at Capgemini in September and I cannot wait to get started.

All made possible by the really unique and awesome day that is IT’s not just for the boys!, organised by the really supportive team at TARGETjobs (who have kept in touch since the event last year!) 

Amira met IBM at IT's not just for the boys! Since she has secured her dream security placement with IBM

My name is Amira Remadna and I am second year student at Oxford Brookes university; studying a combined course- computer science with business management. During my studies it took me a while to realise what I really wanted and what my passion is. The support I received from family and friends and TARGETjobs IT’s not just for the boys! event really helped this process.

I have always been a maths girl, which lead me to study maths stream at secondary school. At the very last minute before applyi

ng through UCAS I changed my personal statement and my course from foundation degree in science to maths with business management information, international business and research studies- in order to have a business management and computer science degree.

After my first year at university and getting involved in societies especially being the Oxford Brookes faculty ambassador for both departments (business school and computer science) I started to lean towards the computer science route. I attended IT’s not just for the boys!, which is a special event  ran by TARGETjobs, designed exclusively for female students who are looking to find out more about opportunities within technology . It was an excellent day and it made me realise how big the sector is and the amount of different opportunities available. At the end of the day you gain such confidence and inspiration you realise that you can achieve anything regardless of your gender.

When I first decided to apply for a placement I had very little confidence because I had no work experience related to technology. I thought it would be impossible for me to get experience as I knew other students already had a lot of experience. However I did not give up, I decided to start working and build my CV before applying. The event extremely boosted my confidence and has allowed me to develop as a candidate and helped me to secure my placement.

My dream job has always been with IBM and luckily for me they happened to be one of the companies that attended the event. During the day students participated in a team challenge, which was a perfect chance to showcase my skills to IBM. The longer I spoke to IBM representatives and current graduates on their schemes enabled me to gain more information from them, which helped me stand out from the crowd. It was simply the perfect chance to meet IBM and learn tips for their applications. Moreover, I spent all day interacting with various companies and great people such as senior managers at Dell.

Straight after the event I applied to IBM and it was my one and only application, so I put in all my efforts, to get my dream job. After passing the first stage of the application form, I attended many interviews where I showed my interest in security. Each stage of the application grew more challenging, until one day I received an email stating I had passed the assessment centre, where I then received an offer for a security role interview.

My interview went well, despite the fact I am not studying a security degree. Nevertheless, it was exactly the job I wanted and after a few days I called IBM and I told them that I’m ready to take the challenge and willing to learn before the final interview. Within a short period of time I was able to learn Linux and various other technical systems, which I believe enhanced my application and prepared me extremely well for the interview. Shortly after my interview I received the news that I secured the job! I was one of three students who secured a placement with IBM and the first and only Oxford Brookes student to secure a role within security. I am now extremely excited to start my role with IBM on 28^th June and grateful to the IT’s not just for the boys! event for helping me in gaining the confidence to land my dream job! 

If you love tech, this is not to be missed! Sravani Royyuru shares her experience at IT's not just for the boys! event and her Spring into Technology programme with J.P. Morgan

October’s IT’s not just for the boys! event was a fantastic way to get tech savvy women clued up about the real-world applications of technology. The day was hosted at J.P. Morgan in Canary Wharf, which was a fantastic backdrop and provided a snapshot into the power of technology within financial services.

Throughout the day, interactions with the different companies provided valuable insights into the different roles of technology across multiple sectors. As the day progressed, the opportunities to participate in simulated assessment centre exercises, networking with Technology MDs and the Panel Q&A with senior females in tech, all helped to dispel myths and discuss challenges about being a woman in technology. I also received some great tips and tricks to make myself stand out from the crowd. The icing on the cake was the ‘Lean In’ style presentation by Anne-Marie Imafidon (founder of social enterprise STEMETTES) – her passion and humour was electric and in turn enthused the whole audience.

Following the event, I was extremely interested in applying to many of the employers who were involved in the event, including J.P. Morgan. Interacting with the J.P. Morgan representatives allowed us to gain perspective into what starting as an Analyst may be like, and I found myself appreciating the culture that I saw. This led me to apply to their Spring into Technology programme, despite being from a non-computer science background, the event gave me confidence in my analytical skills. Following a phone interview that tested my passion for technology, I was offered a place on the programme and spent three fantastic days in Canary Wharf, learning in detail about the firm’s focus on technology, its developments in client facing platforms and the overall opportunities available to STEM graduates.

My confidence to apply to J.P. Morgan, as well as the detail I could provide in my interview, is largely because of my participation in IT’s not just for the boys! – I would like to wholeheartedly thank the whole team at TARGETjobs Events, all the inspiring women on the panel and all the companies who were at the event for a fantastic day. I fully recommend this to everyone – if you love tech, this is not to be missed!

Cindy Jiang secures a summer internship with AIG

Cindy attended the TARGETjobs Event IT's not just for the boys! event in November 2016. As a result she's managed to secure a summer internship with AIG - one of the companies she met on the day! Congratulations Cindy! Read about her day below and why she recommends that you take every opportunity and attend the next event!

My name is Cindy Jiang and I am a second year student at the University of Birmingham studying political economy. “It’s not just for the boys!” was a great and inspiring event which has highly influenced my professional life plans. Despite not coming from a computer science background, through my own research and  meeting various companies on campus in my first year I slowly begun to develop an interest in IT. My knowledge of technology is quite limited (in regards to coding or logistics) but I am fascinated in the challenging and innovative industry of IT.  This event was therefore the perfect opportunity for me to go outside my comfort zone and learn more about the various positions and schemes some IT related companies had to offer!

In order to attend the event, the team at TARGETjobs require students to complete an online application - this ensures that only the highly motivated and genuinely interested students attend the event. The application process was really smooth, I first had to submit my CV and outline the reasons which inspire me to attend the event. Having passed this stage I was then selected for a telephone interview, which again I had to prepare for but it wasn’t too difficult- it's important to demonstrate your true interest to the event.

I personally really enjoy these events as you are able to meet so many representatives from companies that you have either barely heard of or not heard of all and you get to speak to lots of other like minded students. The event was very well organised and the incredibly friendly members of TARGETjobs and the company representatives made me at ease throughout the whole day. The event I attended was held in the fascinating Bloomberg offices in London, with superb facilities! The day started with the amazing guest speaker Kate Taylor (an empowerment coach) and followed by many activities which involved team challenges and networking sessions.

During a networking session I was able to meet a representative from AIG and at this stage I was very unfamiliar with the company and insurance. Through this conversation however I learned a lot on the insurance industry, but more importantly i learned more about AIG. I had the chance to talk with a member of the graduate recruitment team who outlined the various positions they have to offer to undergraduates. I seemed to have the right skills set matching one of their positions and I was highly recommended to apply to a scheme. At this event I was also able to chat to recent graduates from the various companies and learn first hand more about their respective roles. I was able to compare and make my own choices of which companies and areas I would most likely see myself working in.

Following the event I carried out further research and submitted an application for a summer internship with AIG. I successfully passed the online application process and was kindly invited for an assessment day a few months later. This process seemed to go pretty quickly and I have now secured a Commercial Underwriting Summer Internship with AIG for summer 2017!

To any student who is still unsure of your future career path, my recommendation is to be curious and attend as many interesting events as you can! Years go by quickly, so make the most of it, meet employers and develop new skills- it is always in your advantage!

If you've just read Cindy's story and it sounds familiar! Why not apply to attend one of our next IT's not just for the boys! events! Visit the website here to find out more!
targetjobsevents.co.uk/its-not-just-for-the-boys

'Thanks to this event I have the job of my dreams with a company I love'.

Georgia - ThoughtWorks, I got the job! 

I first attended the ITs not just for the boys event in March 2015 and to be honest I hadn’t heard of many of the companies before I signed up. I researched the companies when I was looking for which ones I wanted to complete the sessions with when I came across ThoughtWorks. I could see from the website and social media that it was a fun and young company, so I thought I’d take a chance and put them as my first choice for the sessions. My god I’m glad I did!

When I got to the event I was greeted with a lovely atmosphere from everyone, companies and attendees alike, and I immediately knew that no matter what the outcome, this was going to be a good day. When it came to the group activity session this was a perfect opportunity to show the companies there what I could do as a potential employee but in a fun, stress-free environment. There was no pressure and the other girls were really friendly and open to ideas for the task. I knew at this point that I wanted to work for ThoughtWorks so I used this task as an opportunity to show how well I could work in a group, and how I could communicate my ideas, at the end of the day if it didn’t work I didn’t lose anything, but thankfully everything went smoothly for me and my group. After the presentation of your group task you have the chance to network with the companies and get some contact details, this was the best part of the event for me.

In normal careers fairs there is always a rushed feeling. It sometimes comes across that companies want to tell as many students as possible about the opportunities without getting into too much detail with any one student, while this is understandable, I prefer to get a feel of the company by talking properly to the recruiters, and this event was a perfect opportunity for this. I got an email address for the graduate recruiter at ThoughtWorks and the leader of our group task also passed my details on to her (anything is good that makes you stand out from the crowd!). From then on I emailed the graduate recruiter to keep my name in the air while I continued my studies and I actually based my dissertation around the company development process to make me stand out a little bit more.  When it came down to actually applying for the position I felt so much more relaxed as I had already built up a relationship with her, and it allowed me to focus on why I wanted to work for them and the tasks I was being given. Two weeks after I began the process I got the call to say I was in, I was ecstatic!

To think it all came from one (free!) event where I just thought ‘oh what the hell!’ and I have secured a graduate job in a fantastic company.

So, if you’re on the fence about going, go! What do you have to lose? More importantly think of what you can gain! Thanks to this event I have the job of my dreams with a company I love and it was honestly only possible because of this event and the TARGETjobs team. So finally, Good luck, enjoy, and just go for it!

Ruth tells us how attending IT's not just for the boys! helped her secure her role with IBM!

I attended the ‘IT’s not just for the Boys’ event in November 2014. I wasn’t very sure where I was going post degree; I liked the idea of doing a graduate scheme but wasn’t sure if I’d suit them or who to apply for! So when I received an invitation to apply e-mail from Target Jobs I thought it sounded the ideal networking event for me. Since the event I applied and was accepted onto the two year IBM Consulting by Degrees Graduate Scheme and started in July 2015 as a Technical Consultant!

IT’S Not Just for the Boys Event

There was an application process consisting of a form and phone interview when I applied for the Bloomberg London event. I was super pleased to hear I’d secured a place giving all the big employer names who were attending, such as; Bloomberg, IBM, Deloitte, HP and ThoughtWorks.  The event itself was held at Bloomberg HQ in London which is an amazing building! We were all given had a chance to network with each other before going into the event and the mix of degree backgrounds was really interesting.

The event comprised of several talks from high profile women in the tech world who spoke about their journeys and achievements. It was surprising how many career changes they’d had and how many had only moved into technology careers later on!  There were also team challenges where we got to work with each other and representatives from the attending companies. These challenges includes such things as coming up with a new technical venture for a telecom company and were a great chance to work with new people and ideas whilst getting feedback from the company reps.

The day was finally wrapped up with refreshments and the chance to network with the company reps. I had come to the event most keen to speak to the IBM reps so made my way over there! The IBM reps were really friendly and encouraging and after a short chat convinced me that I stood a good chance with applying to their grad scheme!

IBM Application

I applied for 5 grad schemes, but IBM was the one I really wanted. The first step was a CV check to ensure you met the minimum 2.1 degree. From there I was given the IPAT test to take – a numeracy and logic exam which had me mildly terrified since I hadn’t touched mathematics properly for a few years! However, my revision paid off and I passed the IPAT and was through to the full CV check stage. Shortly after this I received an invitation to an assessment centre in Southbank!

I heard the next day that I’d passed the assessment centre but still didn’t have a job as my CV now needed to undergo a business review. Luckily I only had to wait three weeks to be called up and offered a position starting at IBM Southbank in July as a technical consultant!

Working at IBM

I’ve really enjoyed my time so far working for IBM. I started with an intake of 23 graduates and underwent a month of training down in Hursley before embarking on client projects. Since joining I’ve worked in Edinburgh and London and had the chance to work with some big clients and have also been lucky enough to be sent to Copenhagen and Amsterdam for training which was awesome!

I also now write for IBM as part of an international Graduate Blog, so feel free to have a look to get an insight into the scheme! https://consultingbydegrees.wordpress.com/category/all-countries/

Ruthy,

Technical Consultant @ IBM

My CbD grad Group

 Amsterdam Training

 Exploring Copenhagen

If you're interested in a career in technology then pre-register here to be the first to find out about our next female only technology events http://targetjobsevents.co.uk/its-not-just-for-the-boys/pre-register

We hear from Christina Avraam who has secured a position with Capital One after attending our IT's not just for the boys! event in December

I’m very excited to confirm that I have been offered a position at Capital One after visiting the headquarters for the ‘IT’s not just for the Boys!’ event! The position I have accepted is the 2 year Technology Graduate Rotation Program which I start in September 2016!

Stage 1 – IT’s not just for the Boys! Event

Since I had a limited background in technology (a Multimedia & Graphic Design Bachelor’s degree and I am currently doing a Masters in Marketing) I was initially just coming to the event to see what options I’d have, and what steps I would need to take, in order to work in technology. Needless to say I was nervous and didn’t think I stood a chance to work in technology; the event cleared up all those nerves and made it clear to me that you only really need a true passion for technology to work in technology!

During the event, which was hosted at Capital One’s headquarters in Nottingham, I had the opportunity to meet like-minded women from all fields who were there due to their passion for technology. I met people from many different companies (AIG, ARM, Bank of England, Cognizant, Deloitte, Tesco and Capital One) who gave me a good insight into their company and the programs they had available. The day consisted of a lot of amazing food, amazing people, presentations from inspirational women and a group exercise where a group of us discussed a possible Mobile App with one of the companies.

During the networking section of the event, I met a young woman who was already in the Technology Graduate Rotation Program at Capital One; she sat with me and spoke to me about Capital One as a company and told me all about her experience. It was at this moment that I put my nerves, and hesitation about being qualified, aside and decided to apply.

Stage 2 – Initial Application

The first part of the application process consisted of filling out forms about my education, previous employment etc. (basically putting together a CV). It was very quick and easy. After I submitted these, I was asked to complete some online tests which included Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning tests. These were all well organised and easy to follow through the platform.

Stage 3 – Video Interview

A few weeks later, I was invited to do a video interview; which consisted of logging onto a platform with introductory videos explaining the process. A question would show on screen, then I was given 2 minutes to prep my answer (which was not recorded) and finally; 5 minutes to answer the question while being recorded. There were approximately 7 questions; the prep time given was more than enough to put together my answers.

Stage 4 – Assessment Day

About a week later, I was informed that I had passed the video interview and the next stage was an assessment day. This is where it all started to get real! I went up to Nottingham again to visit the headquarters and was greeted by a group of awesome people who were already working on the Technology Graduate Program. They were kind enough to talk to all the people who came in for interviews that day – there were 9 of us in total. The first interview was a ‘Job Fit’ interview where I spoke to a very friendly woman about my ambitions, previous work experience etc. I was made to feel very welcome and the interview was quite relaxed.

After this, I had a ‘Presentation Interview’; we were all given a topic a few days before to cover in this interview. I put together a presentation and had 10 minutes to present my findings to the interviewer. Again, this was quite casual and I was able to ask more questions about Capital One when I had finished my presentation. After this, we all had a tour of the headquarters and enjoyed a complimentary lunch in Capital One’s impressive restaurant.

Finally, a group of 5 of us were taken to the last interview of the day; group assessment. We were presented with a topic and we had to discuss amongst ourselves the possible solutions and path to take. We were being observed by 3 interviewers but it still felt very relaxed.

Stage 5 – Final Interview

I was in class when I found out that I had passed onto the final stage. It was so exciting! I had to go up to Nottingham again a few days later for the final 30 minute interview. This is when I met the Senior Director of Technology; this interview was the most relaxed and casual interview I had. It was very much focused on the questions I had about the position and company.

Stage 6 – Excitement!

When I received the call I was in a group meeting in University; the excitement got the better of me and I ended up jumping up and down in excitement with my group members in the middle of the Library! The only thing that was on my mind was how happy and grateful I was that I had applied to go to the IT’s not just for the Boys! event. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity if it wasn’t for all the friendly people I met at the event and all the information I gathered just by being there.

 

If you're interested in a career in technology then pre-register here to be the first to find out about our next female only technology events http://targetjobsevents.co.uk/its-not-just-for-the-boys/pre-register

What to wear and how to prepare for TARGETjobs Events!

I have been at TARGETjobs Events for just over two years and the two questions we always get asked about our events are: What should I wear? and Do I need to do anything to prepare?

For our events we recommend that you dress as you would for a job interview. Get your outfit together and try it on in advance in front of a full-length mirror. Your outfit doesn’t have to be a plain black suit and white shirt – colour is fine. Nor do you have to go completely against your personality in terms of appearance – you’re looking for a good match between who you are and your potential employer.

The most common mistake we see? Footwear! Some of our events can involve a lot of walking and some of the venues we go to have a lot of stairs, so make sure you can walk in your shoes. On the other hand, don’t even consider wearing trainers (not even black ones!). We had someone turn up to an event in bright green trainers once, and needless to say, we turned him away. Ladies: if you want to wear high heels, there’s nothing wrong with bringing a smart pair of flat shoes in your bag as back-up – we do it all the time!

Men: wear a suit, shirt and tie (make sure they have both been ironed!) and wear matching socks.

Ladies: skirts or dresses should be no shorter than just above the knee and make sure you check the length is still OK when you sit down! Always try to avoid chipped nail polish, too.

Finally, keep any piercings discreet, and it is more than OK to wear religious dress.

What should I do to prepare for the event? Our top three things: research, research, research!

The most common misconception that our attendees have about events is that attending one is a fast-track to a grad scheme or internship. Our events are an introduction to an employer, so the more you put in to prepare, the more you are going to get out of it!

Recruiters are not there to answer the simple questions that you find on their websites. Hopefully you will have already done some research into the companies for your interview so attending the event is now your chance to find out the nitty gritty. Demonstrating your knowledge of a company will not only help you come across as someone who knows what you are talking about, but enables you to have better conversations and hopefully be more memorable. Remember there could be 50+ other students in the room that they will also talk to!

Have a list of questions written down in your pocket so you don’t leave the event thinking ‘I wish I’d asked that’. A few students also bring business cards. It’s not at all essential, but it can make you look professional and on the ball. It’s particularly helpful in networking situations if you meet people you’d like to stay in touch with.

Check out all of our upcoming events on the TARGETjobs Events website.

Best of luck and I can't wait to meet you at our next event!

Katie

Top tips for the TARGETjobs Events application process

Hi, I’m Nakita and I’m a junior project manager at TARGETjobs Events. I’ve been at TARGETjobs for just over a year and I have some great tips for the TARGETjobs events application process.

The application process for attending a TARGETjobs Event is pretty straightforward. You will be required to complete an online application form and, if you fit the criteria, have a telephone interview. The two stages have been broken down below to help you gain a better understanding of both stages.

Application form

• Before submitting your application form it is important that you read the application criteria, usually found on the overview page of each event’s website. You also need to ensure that your CV is no more than two pages long.
• The application form is the first step of the application process. It consists of providing personal details, your current university details and your predicted/achieved grade. The next section involves a 200 word covering letter. This is probably the most important section as it usually determines whether you will be invited to attend a telephone interview. You have been given the chance to show why you would like to attend so take advantage of it! This should include how you will make the most of the opportunity and what work experience or activities you have done to show your passion for the specific sector you are interested in.
• Once you have submitted your application form, one of the TARGETjobs Events team will be in touch via email, letting you know whether you have been successful.   
• If you have been unsuccessful, do not be discouraged from applying again. Our events are usually very popular and it is more than likely we will have more than one per year.

Telephone interview

• If you have been invited to attend a telephone interview, – well done!
• Our snazzy interview booking tool allows you to choose an interview time that suits you, which means we're expecting you to be prepared and ready for our call.
• How you answer the phone sets the tone instantly for the interview, as it's our first interaction with you as a person, not just as a CV. Consider your greeting;: beginning with 'good morning/afternoon, this is Nakita speaking' will instantly make you sound prepared and confident, and create a much better first impression than a 'hey' or, as I have experienced, 'what?'. Not the best way to start. Equally, you want to finish your interview on a positive note, so have a question or two prepared (but not 'when will I hear from you?') and thank the interviewer for their time. Most importantly, be yourself! You’ve been offered this chance because you’re the kind of person the interviewer is looking for, so relax, be confident and let your knowledge and motivation for the job/event/sector shine through!
• The interview will usually consist of questions regarding why you would like to attend and what you have done previously to show your passion for the specific sector you’ are interested in.

Our events are an amazing opportunity for you to meet some fantastic companies and graduate recruiters – don’t miss out and apply today! Check out all of our upcoming events on the TARGETjobs Events website.

Why you should be an early bird!

We have some great events coming up this autumn providing you with a chance to meet some of the biggest graduate employers. Here’s why you should beat the rush and get your applications in now!

Early bird gets the worm!

·        Just like buying tickets for a festival, you are much more likely to secure a place on the event if you get your application in early and beat those last-minute Larrys!

 ·        Secure an early interview slot and you could land an early place on the event this will set you apart from everyone else! It gives you time not only to prepare for the interviews, but also to research the event partners and the graduate schemes they offer, putting you in a better position to land your dream job!

·        It gives you more time to research who is going to be there. Find out what exactly they have on offer, research as much as you can and prepare your questions – this will put you in a great position when applying for grad schemes as you will know exactly where you want to go and what you want to apply for. It will also make you stand out to the event partners you are interested in if you know what you’re talking about, which could help to secure you a place on their scheme.

·      What else do you have to do? It’s the summer! OK, so apart from your part-time, full-time or multiple jobs. Get your applications in early so that you have secured your place before you go back to uni. This way you won’t get distracted from your work or vice versa. You don’t want your application to get put to the bottom of your priority list and before you know it find you’ve missed your chance to meet graduate recruiters who could open that door to the start of a great career!

Applications are now open for Explore Sky, IT’s not just for the boys, Future Female Engineers and Women in Investment Banking, so why wait? Be an early bird and get your application in now at targetjobsevents.co.uk/.

Georgia gives her top five tips for attending an IT’s not just for the boys! event.

Name: Georgia Barker

University: Lancaster University

Degree: MSci IT for Creative Industries

I attended IT’s not just for the boys’ event and it was by far one of the most worthwhile and valuable experiences I’ve had. Through this event I secured a telephone interview for a summer internship and I now have a clear idea of the company and graduate job I am hoping to acquire.

In order to make the most of the day here are my five top tips:

1. Take a pen! – There is so much valuable information that you will learn on the day and you will want to take note of them. Event partners are more than happy to give out email addresses and sometimes phone numbers so make sure you have a way of noting them down!

2. Do some research – It will make you stand out to the event partners if you know what you are talking about! Do some light research on each event partner that you are interested in and it may be helpful to research the speakers on the day also! Being positively noticed will make you more appealing to the event partners, and may help secure further discussions with the employers.

3. Be friendly – This event isn’t just about meeting possible employers but is also about meeting other talented and creative women. Make friends! Any connection is a good connection that could help drive your future. The forums for the events are great ways to advertise positions and ask each other questions so make the most of it!

4. Be confident – Employees like people who are confident within themselves, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be an amazing public speaker, or that you have to boldly introduce yourself to everyone, but I am more meaning that you should take pride in yourself. Dress smartly, as this gives of a good first impression, and speak calmly and clearly.

5. Have fun – Finally, just enjoy yourself! This is a great networking event and provides some great opportunities but just make sure you have fun! A smile is a girl’s best accessory!

Find out about our next IT's not for the boys! event HERE!

Got yourself a space at the next IT's not just for the boys! event? Read Chelsea's top five tips!

Name: Chelsea Sievewright
University: University of Abertay Dundee
Degree: Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures


My top five tips for attending IT's not just for the boys!

If you've secured a place at IT's not just for the boys then you'll find these tips useful in your preparation for the day.  I've attended 3 times and managed to make some great contacts and I also bagged an internship with PGDS!

1. Do your homework
You're getting a rare opportunity to meet big companies at an all day event so read up on them, all of them. You may find a company you've never heard of before is offering your perfect job.

2. Be bold
It business dress, this doesn't restrict you to wearing black and grey. Look smart but stand out whether that’s a with a red blouse, or a blue pencil skirt.  There are a lot of black outfits at the conference and you want to stand out to employers.

3. Ask questions
Come up with questions for the companies you are interested in, and ask them.  This will make you look keen and show your engaging with the company, employers love that.

4. Network Network Network!
This is the most crucial part of the day.  This is where you make an impression, get email addresses and LinkedIn info. Make sure you approach all the employers you want to in this session as this is the part that will land you a job.

5. Keep in touch
Great, conference is done, you think it went well. Now is the time to email those employers and remind them of you. Say how great it was to meet them, thank them for the information they gave you and tell them you'll be putting you application in. This way they can look out for your name. If they have offered to look at your CV then grab the offer and send it. If they've said you can add them on LinkedIn then get adding!

Good luck at the event, you'll have a blast and it can be great for your career if you make the most of it.

Since attending the event with us, Chelsea has gone on to achieve so much more!
Winner of the TARGETjobs Computer Science Undergraduate of the Year Award 2015
Worked as an Information Risk and Security Consultant with PGDS as a result of attending our IT's not just for the boys! event.
Named "Women of the Future" by Equate Scotland in their "Leading Women of Scotland" Publication.
Chelsea is now the Head of Information Security at Education Scotland and a prominent STEM ambassador.

More information on the next IT's not just for the boys! can be found here.

Attending an event with us? Check out these top five tips on how to prepare and make the most of the day!

We spoke to Davina on her top five tips on how to prepare and make the most out of the day!

Name: Davina Bodley Scott
University: University of Exeter
Degree: IT Management for Business with industrial placement

My five tips for attending a TARGETjobs IT’s not just for boys event...

1. Research companies attending the seminar. Do your homework before you get there. Research is key. This will give you an idea of the companies that most appeal to you, allowing you to prioritise. It's also a great way to show to the recruiters that you have an insight into their company and are genuinely interested.

2. First impressions. Dress comfortably but smart and arrive promptly. Don’t be afraid to approach a representative with a handshake and smile. Good eye contact is essential showing you’re engaged in the seminar and networking event. This helps representatives remember you for the right reasons. Don’t be shy this is your chance to make contact face to face with leading recruiters.

3. Cover ground. Make an effort to speak to as many companies as possible. Circulate and don’t hang back. Don't be afraid to ask questions, "no question is a silly question". This allows you to build a picture of the company and where your place may be within it, allowing you to compare and contrast all the opportunities. Though remember, when you have spoken to a recruiter know when it’s time to move on, let others have a chance. Don’t outstay your welcome.

4. Network, network, network. Be prepared to network. It's difficult for everyone especially if it feels unnaturally pushy and out of your normal comfort zone but that is essentially why you are there.  This networking opportunity allows you to create links within top companies, which will be invaluable in your journey to find your internship and employment within a leading company. Remember to make a mental note of who you are speaking to and which firm they represent. These are invaluable contacts.

5. Take notes. Take a notepad and pen and jot down people’s names and contact details and any notes of value and particular interest. When you have left the seminar make quick notes of who you met and what you learnt as an aide memoire. This information will help your employability and give you valuable insight into how the application process works.

Now you know how to ace the day, make sure you're there! Click to find out more!

Sara tells us about her role with Cognizant

Name: Sara Al-Badri
University: University of Greenwich
Events attended: IT's not just for the boys! November 2013 and March 2014

So this time last year I was in a real dilemma…I was coming up to finishing my degree with no job to fall back on once graduating. I’m not sure about you, but I really struggled passing any of the psychometric tests to get through to the next stage. I had been applying for graduate schemes on TARGETjobs and found they had networking events – one being ‘IT’s not just for the boys’. I loved the idea of having a full day meeting employers that were there solely for us, fellow students in the STEM group, and most importantly networking!

The day consisted of meeting motivational business woman who sat on a panel, talking about their personal journeys and were truly inspirational – and made me want to be successful so much more. A happy coach (who only wore bright colours and made you dance!) left you really motivated and the greatest part of the experience, was the exposure you get to global employers. A couple of the sessions you get put into groups based on your skill set, and have short activities with employers based on how you problem solve/communicate/pitch. They saw how you worked and how you would fit into their company.

Now I am 7 months into my role at Cognizant, working in IT Infrastructure and now put those skills that the recruiters saw in me (at the event) into practice every day. I work within a large team both onsite and offshore daily, so it’s a very global and diverse culture we work in. From the start, I was given many responsibilities to project manage and be exposed to many roles that included: managing an offshore team to create some material in a restricted deadline for a launch, working with very senior members to create a brand re-launch, organizing events/presentation material/operational work/work with our marketing team to create material for clients and so much more...

Learning is something I do every day and has been a very smooth transition from university life to the real working world. There are challenging moments, but the most important thing and advice I can give you to take away, is that you’re not on your own, go to one of these events as it changed my life and build your network around you. Good luck!

Cognizant (and Sara!) will be joining us at the next IT's not just for the boys! event on March 20. Fancy attending? Apply now!

Adeela talks about her day at IT's not just for the boys!

Name: Adeela Saalim
University: King's College London
Degree: Computing & Internet Systems

I applied for “ITs not just for the boys!” after receiving an email from my university careers office and I was very lucky to be selected and invited to the event after going through the application process.


On the day, Katy from TARGETjobs Events welcomed us and talked us through about format of the day. Then guest speaker Kate Taylor took the stage and spoke about building “Rapport”. It was an excellent learning to takeaway and apply in your personal and professional life. After a networking lunch, where we put all of Kate's top tips into practice, Nathalie, keynote speaker talked about overcoming the hurdles being a woman and how to achieve what you yearn for.

Next, it was time for Team Challenge, this session was an excellent understanding on how to brain storm ideas and be part of a team to deliver a task. Skills session was very helpful as it provided an insight into what skills must be acquired by the graduates to be successful in technology industry.
The last part of event was panel Q&A where questions were answered beautifully by women expert in their fields. Event was wrapped up with an opportunity to talk to employers and other attendees over drinks.



It was an exciting day for me, packed with learning and knowing about opportunities available  for women. I must say that Target Jobs is doing an exceptional job to give this chance to women to explore what they can do with their degrees. I would recommend it to girls who are currently studying or have finished their degrees to attend at least one of the these events. It is a fantastic opportunity to find out what employers are looking for and how you make yourself more employable by standing out among thousands.

Sound like something you want to be a part of? Click to find out how to join us at our next event!

Jennifer proves that being pro-active is the key to success!

Name: Jennifer Brett
University: University of Birmingham
Course: Economics
Event attended: IT's not just for the boys! November and Nottingham 2014

I attended TARGETjobs IT’s not just for the boys! event in November 2014. My reason for attending was simply to gain an insight into the industry and the kind of opportunities that it could offer. Personally, the best part of the day was the opportunity it gave me to network with recruiters in an informal, relaxed environment.

At the event, I was very impressed with GE, the representatives were very enthusiastic about their work and informed me of the excellent structure of their rotational programs. The event allowed me to have a great general chit-chat with them about their work and the kinds of attributes they look for in candidates. Upon leaving the event, I felt as though the culture at GE would be one, where I could really fit in.

The event was very insightful and had been much more useful than other careers events I have attended in the past, afterward, I felt enthusiastic about my future and applying for jobs in the technology sector. A few days later, I received an email from GE encouraging me to apply. I applied straight away and soon received an invite for the online testing. The testing was challenging, but it was best to be confident about your answers and go with your gut feeling. A few weeks later, I also received emails from IBM and CHP Consulting following up from the event, but GE had been quick to respond and I progressed through to the final stage within a month or so. In January, I was offered an opportunity to begin a year placement with GE as an ITLP Intern.

I believe that being successful was partly due to being pro-active. I followed up with the people I had met at the event on LinkedIn and I did extensive research on the company to ensure that the role was right for me, throughout my interview, my passion about working for the company showed.

My best advice is to be confident and self-aware, I do not come from a technical background, I studied Economics at University but didn’t let this hold me back. Be confident about the skills you have built upon throughout your study and through extra curricular activity, and demonstrate how you can relate these skills and experiences to the particular job you are applying for!

Are you looking for opportunities for next year? Join us on 20 March at the final IT's not just for the boys! of the year!

What I gained from attending IT's not just for the boys! and why you should apply

Aminah tells us about her day at IT's not just for the boys! 

Name: Aminah Sayed

University: Queen Mary, University of London

If you want to be inspired, have exclusive information about what recruiters expect from applications, or want to simply find out what’s right for you, then the TARGETjobs IT's not just for the boys! event is a must to attend.  

From job recruiters to senior representatives, you will have the chance to hone your network skills to gain a valuable insight into how their company operates. This is truly a unique experience, so if you have any questions and want them answered first hand by those that work in the industry, come along!

I have attended job fairs in the past, but my experience at IT’s not just for the boys! is one that definitely stands out. As soon as the event started, I realised that it was no ordinary job fair. Why? Because not every event is packed with a variety of activities, essentially covering every aspect you may want to learn about. There was everything from motivating speeches, to Q&A panels, to networking with recent graduates who were once in the same position as you, and everything was organised perfectly to allow students to have a taste of everything. I gained skills that I would not have otherwise learnt; companies gave out useful information sheets and held intimate group talks detailing exactly what they are looking for in candidates. I was also given tips from recent graduates working for the companies I was interested in applying to, and was able to discuss my current application, effectively allowing me to improve my chances of getting noticed.

Motivated and inspired, I left the event fully recharged. On the train home I was eager to get onto my phone to look through the new opportunities the event had opened up to me, and have since been in contact with a few of the companies. I came away with more information and confidence than I went in with, and I look forward to the future possibilities that may lead on from this event. 

All in all you have nothing to lose so do make sure you apply!

Click to find out more about how you could attend the next event.

We catch up with Anouska Fox one year on...

Here's me, listening intently,
 at IT's not just for the boys! back in 2013

Name: Anouska Fox
Job Title: Graduate Consultant
Company: SunGard
Event attended: IT's not just for the boys! - October 2013
University: University of Manchester

I attended IT’s Not just for the Boys 2013 event; a few months later the graduate recruiter for SunGard contacted me to encourage me to apply and I applied for a consultancy role in Energy Trading & Risk Management. You can read about that part of my story here!

A year on and I’ve now been in the role 5 months – during which I had a two month comprehensive training programme on the software, financial markets and European Gas & Power markets which allowed me to develop a great breadth of knowledge. After training I began work on the ETRM implementation for a major Scandinavian energy company where I focussed on designing and building interfaces between our ETRM system and third party software.

I’ve loved working at SunGard so far, I’ve been given responsibility since the day I completed the training, personally owning designs and responsibility for build and testing. I’ve found it to be a really welcoming and open company; no one is ever too busy to share knowledge and it’s a really social environment.

I’d completed a few work experience placements during school and university – and while I’d really encourage these as an opportunity to gain insight into an industry you may want to work in – I still had no idea what to expect from my daily role. In consultancy your tasks are often highly dependent on the phase of the project; during discovery I’ll be conducting business analysis to determine the clients requirements, design is where the solution is determined and then build and test you are bringing this idea into fruition!

My role is within the technical team but I only spend about 20% of my time doing traditionally technical work such as coding – although I have gotten the chance to learn Groovy and SQL.  One of the things I enjoy the most is the collaboration with other project team members and the client; you have to really understand the businesses operations and requirements from the system. Drilling into client’s requirements and determining the best configuration is my favourite aspect of the job. It is important to stay aware of what the other team members are doing or you will not understand the project at a high level.

Outside of your day-to-day role I’ve also found there’s loads of other great stuff to get involved with, I’ve helped organise socials to outdoor ice-skating, drinks and the ping pong bar Bounce! We’re also organising the first International Women’s Day for SunGard London, where we’re going to have a Senior Women in Technology panellist session – coming full circle back to IT’s not just for the Boys!

Attend the next IT's not just for the boys! on March 20, and we could be posting your success blog this time next year!