By Kathryn McKenna
Alison Ballard, Principal Digital Product Manager at Allstate NI, speaks with Sync NI in a comprehensive discussion in which we explore the evolving skills needed for a successful career in tech, the value of mentoring, and why young girls with a passion for problem-solving should pursue a ‘hugely rewarding’ career in the IT sector.
In our discussion which takes place at Allstate NI’s Belfast city centre offices, we also explore the importance of non-technical qualities such as communication skills and empathy, with Alison also highlighting the important role that practical, hands-on learning plays outside the classroom.
This follows Alison’s own career path, which was not linear. She describes how her journey unfolded naturally as she discovered her talent for problem-solving. After graduating with a degree in Accounting and Data Processing from the University of Leeds, Alison took an administrative role at the university as she found that she enjoyed working in the higher education environment.
“I chose to study accountancy as I enjoyed mathematics at school and I was interested in IT,” Alison reveals. “IT was an emerging subject at the time - when I started my degree I had never even previously switched a computer on.”
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But Alison readily immersed herself in the field of IT, and upon graduating from university she began working in administration at the university where her passion for problem-solving became clear. She says: “I gravitated towards trying to find easier ways to solve problems. Even though I was working in administration, I was starting to think about how we could automate a lot of the work which we were doing manually.”
This way of thinking led to a new role for Alison, one of Systems Officer for Leeds University Business School, and Alison has built upon this career trajectory ever since. Having moved back to her native city of Derry in 1996, Alison began working for a small IT company before becoming self-employed and working with contacts throughout the island of Ireland utilising technology to help companies solve problems.
Working as a Principal Digital Product Manager in Billing and Payments for Allstate NI,which she joined in 2012, Alison is involved in the company's global operations, with teams in Northern Ireland, the US, and India. Alison’s role is multi-faceted and involves setting a vision for a suite of digital products, customer experience and integrating modern emerging technologies including AI.
Whilst there is no fixed ‘typical’ day, Alison often connects with her local colleagues as well as those in India, before checking in with the US team in the afternoon. “My role is to have the vision of what we want our payment experience to be like for our customers,” Alison explains. Working alongside a Principal Engineer as part of the engineering team, Alison’s role focuses on setting out and achieving the team’s vision.
Communication is key as the team services upwards of $40billion going through their systems. The technology being utilised to make this happen smoothly and provide the best customer satisfaction possible is a hybrid between traditional and the newest technology. “We have a blend of older technology, which is solid and reliable, which complements the up to the latest and greatest in terms of AI and the latest modern advancements,” Alison explains.
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“We are partnering with Microsoft in order to continue providing the most modern, up-to-date solutions and be able to provide data analytics to merge in with AI capabilities, which all work to help humansusdo a lot more. with a lot less.”
Alison’s role is varied, from cascading down the vision, working within constraints, understanding opportunities, managing risks and ensuring the team remains compliant with all relevant regulations in order to maintain the integrity of their systems.
Whilst Alison’s role requires technical knowledge, she explains that within lots of alternative roles in technology, other skills are essential, such as the ability to engage and empathise with customers.
On the subject of career pathways, Alison hails apprenticeships as an important gateway into the sector, and says they are particularly relevant for younger people who have grown up with access to technology at their fingertips.
“The graduate pathway is still a very common one and reflects great dedication and commitment, but an equally important pathway we are starting to truly benefit from is apprenticeships,” she reveals, adding that the most important attribute for a successful career in IT is curiosity and a passion for continuous, self-motivated learning.“In this industry you have to continually learn as you go and be prepared to do that. Having the attitude of being eager to continually learn and focus on your own development is absolutely vital,” she shares.
“Incredibly supportive and encouraging” is how Alison describes the culture at Allstate, emphasising the pivotal role being a part of the Women in Tech at Allstate group has been, whilst also praising the influence of Stephen McKeown, Vice President and Managing Director of Allstate NI.
“Women in Technology at Allstate is about a group of women supporting each other, role modeling, encouraging and mentoring people,” Alison explains.
“We found that women were much more reluctant to put themselves forward for opportunities. For example, if they didn't tick all the boxes on a job specification they wouldn't put themselves forward for a promotion.
“Not only did we help mentor and coach one another, encouraging each other to step out and take chances, in the northwest we also formed networks with other technology companies based locally with female leaders. We joined up and went out into the schools where we would stand up in classrooms full of girls and talk about all the different career opportunities within the technology sector.
“We wanted to convey to these young girls that these are opportunities right on their doorstep and that working in tech is not “just for the boys.””
Alison continues: “Stephen McKeown is an incredibly encouraging mentor and coach who encourages everyone to strive for more and achieve the best of their abilities. This inclusive and supportive culture, alongside the Women in Tech at Allstate group, has helped push myself out of my comfort zone. Knowing that I have a network around meencouraging me to succeed has been invaluable.”
Mentoring allows yourself a perspective from someone who is not involved in your ‘day-to-day’ and can offer impartial advice and support, with Alison crediting her previous mentors for being able to give her the confidence to navigate at times challenging circumstances throughout her career. Mentoring others has also proven invaluable, allowing the opportunity to reflect on her own career. “It's a two-way win,” she says.
Reflecting on the rewarding feeling that working in technology brings, Alison appeals to any young girls who have a fellow passion for problem solving to get involved in the industry.
“Don’t let yourself be intimated by the practical side of things. The technical stuff can seem daunting from the outside looking in –but you will figure that part out. Seeing a problem and being able to fix it and automate processes to make things easier for others is truly the most rewarding experience.”
Allstate NI are involved in a number of different apprenticeship programmes and initiatives which offer invaluable practical, hands-on experience. Find out more at: allstateni.com/careers/pathways-in.aspx
