Abby Woods is the Service Transition Project Manager at CGI.
Here, Abby sits down with Sync NI to take part in the Tech Trailblazer challenge, discussing her pathway into a career in tech, what a day in her life looks like, and why CGI is a great company to foster growth and develop talent.
What does your typical day look like?
As Service Transition Project Manager, my day consists of liaising with various teams from both internal CGI partners through to different clients to help create a new network service, allowing me the opportunity to work with colleagues across NI, the UK and India.
I also help organise events for the Belfast office and CGI’s Global Technology Operations business unit while actively participating in various networks within CGI, including the Women’s Network, Disability Network and Neurodivergent Network.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on the Next Generation Network for the University of Nottingham. This involves rolling out a state-of-the-art network to enable fast and efficient services for students and staff, while improving productivity, monitoring, reporting and usage for the university stakeholders. My role is to design and develop the service framework that supports the network.
What inspired you to join this company in particular?
When I first interviewed for CGI, it was clear to me that the company lived by its values, treats members with respect and had a strong ambition to grow in Northern Ireland. I was excited to join and be able to contribute to this growth.
Did you always want to work in this industry (tech)?
No, not at all. I never imagined myself working in the corporate IT world. With a diverse background in retail, childcare and hospitality, I found my way into IT through recruitment. Helping partners find interesting and exciting roles sparked my curiosity to develop my own career through CGI.
What’s your favourite part about your work?
IT is so varied. No two days are ever the same.
I get to collaborate with amazing teams, all working towards the same goals, which allows me to feel inspired to learn and grow by taking on new challenges and always have support and training that I need. I’m not afraid to ask for help and I know it will always be there.
What would you say to other people considering a job in this industry (tech)?
Go for it!
IT is so much more than just coding (which I thought it was). You also don’t have to have a degree or “be a techie”, just be willing to learn. There are so many opportunities and career paths to explore. IT touches pretty much every industry in the world now so no two clients or projects will ever be the same.
How do you see this technology impacting on our lives?
I think it makes the world more accessible for everyone. Having access to fast, uninterrupted and reliable WiFi enables people to research, explore and navigate topics on pretty much anything. It removes limits and boundaries to knowledge and education in every aspect.
Who inspired you to work in this field?
After recruiting for Matthew Turvey (CGI Advisory) he encouraged me to look at other aspects of CGI so that I could develop my career. CGI has a fantastic mentor scheme that pairs partners for monthly coaching sessions, which I have had the opportunity to participate in. Seeing strong women in leadership positions within CGI, such as Julie Godin, Tara McGeehan and Michelle Sherrard here in Belfast, showed me that this is a great company to foster growth and develop talent.
What do you consider to be the most important tech innovation or development in recent years?
Artificial Intelligence – I’m still learning about it on a daily basis, but I think the impact that it is going to have across the world is still yet to be understood. I’m really excited to see what the future holds with it.
What tech gadget could you not live without?
My iPhone! I use it for everything. I would be completely lost without it (and google maps).
