Beth Clarke

"Being a Quality Controller fits in very well with my work environment. We need to have a fine eye for detail to make sure I code has as few defects as possible. Our software keeps people and the planet safe, so it's important my work is of the best quality so that our clients can rely on it when they need it most. Being a Trainer means I am able to help teams gel and ensure that we perform at our best so that deadlines are hit without the quality of the code being compromised. Working in DevOps, people and culture are a huge part of my role. I help teach people new skills and bring teams together towards a common goal. Through also being an Innovator, I help lead the team through harder times, and support them with their work as well as celebrating successes! Being able to simplify complex information is a key skill as our systems are bespoke and complex, so any new team members will need specific training and knowledge on how the code works, and this is something I am able to provide."

"I lead the Quality and DevOps practices for a piece of software that helps pipeline inspectors determine the risk and safety of large pipelines across the world, such as water, oil and gas. Working in Quality and DevOps means I help our teams work smarter to produce high quality, reliable software in an easier and more efficient way. The software I help to build keeps people and the planet safe, and I find that very rewarding. The practices I help put in place help ensure that our end product is highly reliable and safe, and that's what we take pride in. It can be quite a high pressure job, given the work our software is responsible for, but every day is interesting and the end result is always worth the work. I enjoy solving puzzles every day! The average starting salary for my role is around £30,000."

"Whilst at university, I learned to code for the first time. This was something I didn't expect to learn, never-mind enjoy! Before going to university, I dreamed of being an Astrophysics researcher, hence why I did an Astrophysics degree. However I realised that research wasn't for me, at least for the time being, and that I wanted to do something that had a more immediate effect on the world around me. I also knew I wanted to continue to learn about coding. So in my final year of university, I started looking for jobs as a software engineer. Without a computer science qualification, it was hard to find a job. Then I started looking into post-graduate apprenticeship schemes! Apprenticeships are a great way into lots of industries, because you don't need to have all the skills needed for the job when you start! You get to learn throughout the scheme via formal training and on-the-job learning. I'm not a software engineer on an apprenticeship scheme and it fantastic!I worked in my first job for 3.5 years and in that time I worked a lot as a software tester, test lead and working a bit in DevOps. I found that I really enjoyed the quality side of software developing and moved into a role more dedicated towards this."

"I spend a few nights a week at Scouts, and have been a volunteer with them since 2017. I get to spend time with young people of various ages teaching them skills like fire lighting, map-reading and how to make a catapult! I also go on camps on some weekends which is a nice change from being in the office or at home. I also love to go on hikes, read books, and cook! I also love playing board games with my friends. It involves problem solving in a different way, ad is a really good way to get fit whilst having fun. I'm also a member of the WISE Young Professionals board where I advocate for Women in STEM and encourage young girls to pursue their STEM dreams which is a role I really enjoy!"

"I start my day by checking my calendar for upcoming meetings. Being a software engineer means I am part of a large team, so we have regular meetings to catch up and chat about the project's progress. These meetings are vital more making sure we get our work complete on time, and ensuring everyone is getting the help and support that they need. After that, my days can vary. I spend a lot of time chatting to people in my team to find out what they need. My team is based all over the world so my meetings can be at strange times! I also write programs and scripts in powershell, yaml and Python to develop tools that automate our software development processes. I also write process documentation and create training materials that our team members can use to learn new things. I also run regular forums where team members can share helpful coding practices with each other to improve the quality of their software. I also get some time to learn and train, and I do this by taking courses, reading books or completing e-learns."

"I have A-Levels in Maths, Further Maths and Physics and went on to complete a BSc in Physics with Astrophysics at the University of Bath. I actually completely changed my mind on my career goal whilst at university. Before university, I wanted to complete a PhD and go into research. However in my final year, I discovered my love for coding (something I'd never done before my degree) and I decided I wanted a career in software. I saw the potential for how software could help people, and so looked for jobs as a software engineer. I went down the route of a post-graduate apprenticeship, which allowed me to continue learning and developing skills whilst also getting work experience and doing the job I love! Apprenticeships are a fantastic option either instead of or after university. They open so many doors for you!Because of this, I now also have a Level 4 Software Development diploma, accredited by BCS (The British Computing Society). I am also a Certified Tester with the ISTQB and a Microsoft Technical Associate in Python."