Rachael Aluko is the Senior Product Designer at Liberty IT.
Here, Rachael Aluko sits down with SyncNI to talk about the Tech Trailblazer challenge, sharing her journey into a tech career, what her daily work looks like, and why Liberty IT is a brilliant place to grow and build your skills.
Have you always wanted to have a career in tech, and can you tell us about your pathway into Liberty IT?
I've always had diverse interests; as a child, I aspired to be a pilot, a paediatrician and so many other things but my love for design and technology eventually took centre stage. I started my academic journey with a degree in computer science, but early on I began working as a graphic designer and fell in love with the creative process. Once I discovered product design; where I could merge design, technology, and business. I knew I’d found the right path.
Product design which is also known as UX Design gave me the opportunity to work at dynamic start-ups and later at one of the biggest banks in Nigeria. Eager to expand my skills and knowledge, I pursued a Master’s in User Experience and Service Design at Ulster University. After completing my studies, I focused on finding a company that resonated with my values and aspirations, which ultimately led me to Liberty IT.
How important is Liberty IT’s ‘Women in Tech’ initiative in helping women to progress and successfully develop their careers within the organization?
The ‘Women in Tech’ initiative at Liberty IT is incredibly important, not just as a support network, but as a driver of equity, visibility, and opportunity ensuring that women feel seen, supported, and empowered within the tech industry.
One initiative I’ve been involved in recently is the Women InTech Lightning Talks, which we launched to help more women build confidence in public speaking while sharing their technical expertise.
At most tech events, women speakers are still in the minority, and this initiative is about changing that by creating a safe, supportive space for women to practice, present, and mentor others. We just successfully ran the first round of Lightning Talks in our Belfast office and the response from participants was incredibly positive. We’re now planning to roll it out to our offices in Dublin and Galway, with the goal of fostering a culture where women are not only included but actively encouraged to lead and inspire.
Personally, I think initiatives like this contribute to better design and better technology, because diverse perspectives lead to more thoughtful, human-centred solutions.
READ MORE: Tech Trailblazer: Priyanka Lingegowda, Principal Software Engineer, Liberty IT
How important have mentors and role models been in helping you optimize your career to date?
Mentors and role models have played a huge role in shaping my career. On a personal level, I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who’ve really shaped my journey. One of them was a senior product designer at one of my previous employers,at the time when I was making the transition from graphic design into product design. She helped me to navigate my transition and has been a consistent source of guidance and encouragement. I still reach out to her whenever I’m trying to make big decisions or work through challenges. Having that mentorship has greatly supported my growth, enabling me to develop confidence as both a designer and a problem solver.
One of my key priorities while job hunting was to find an organisation that values and supports women in the workplace. Liberty IT does that so well!I’ve been especially impressed by one of theinitiatives which supports women returning to work after maternity leave, providing them with mentors that have been through the same experience. This kind of support goes a long way in creating an inclusive and empowering environment, as itnot only helps women transition back into their roles smoothly but also demonstrates a commitment to fostering an inclusive and empowering work environment.
What advice would you give to other women who might not feel they have the necessary qualifications or transferrable skills to work in tech?
I would say: “You won’t know ‘til you try”. Tech is a broad and evolving field, and there’s space for a wide range of backgrounds, not just traditional computer science degrees. Many of the skills women bring from other industries include communication, problem-solving, creativity, empathy, project management which are not only transferable, but they’re also essential in tech, especially in areas like product design and product management.
My own path into tech wasn’t linear, I started with computer science but moved into graphic design before discovering product design. That mix of experiences gave me a unique perspective, and it’s been a strength, not a weakness.
If you’re curious, willing to learn, and open to growing, you absolutely have a place in tech. Start small, take a course, join a community, or reach out to someone in the field. And don’t be afraid to apply for roles that challenge you. You don’t have to tick every box to be the right fit. You belong here.
What have you learnt on your career journey to date that you would share with younger girls on why they should consider a career in tech?
One of the most powerful things I’ve learned is that working in tech gives you the chance to solve life-changing problems for people all over the world. Whether it’s improving access to insurance, supporting education, or designing tools that make everyday life easier, your work can have a real, lasting impact. Tech isn’tjust about writing code; it’s about using creativity, empathy, and critical thinking to create solutions that matter.
For younger girls, I’d say; if you’re curious, if you like solving problems, or if you enjoy creating things, tech has a place for you. It’s a field that needs diverse voices, especially women, to build more inclusive and thoughtful solutions. Don’t let self-doubt or stereotypes hold you back. You’re more capable than you think, and the industry is better with you in it. You don’t need to be perfect or have all the answers, what you do need is curiosity, a willingness to learn, and the confidence to take that first step. You do have the potential to shape the world, and tech gives you the tools to do so.
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