Dr. Leigh Johnston is an Applied Researcher at the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC), where she works with businesses to unlock the practical potential of AI and data visualisation. With a PhD in Data Visualisation and a background in UX, Leigh combines research with real-world application to help companies turn complex data into clear, actionable insights.
Leigh shares with Sync NI how a secondary school teacher helped spark her journey into tech, the value of mentorship and confidence, and why the sector offers wide-ranging opportunities for anyone willing to learn, regardless of background.
Have you always had an interest in technology, and was there a specific person or particular event that led you into your current role?
Technology in general has always been an interest of mine, partly due to growing up in the countryside where there was very little to do. However, to get to where I am today as an Applied Researcher at the AICC, my secondary school ICT teacher, Judith Evans, played a pivotal role by encouraging me to pursueInteractive Media. Without her encouragement, it is possible that I may not have gone on to pursue a BSc Honours Degree in Interactive Multimedia Design, and a PhD in Data Visualisation underpinned by UX and AI.
What would you consider to be the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of your job?
Apart from working with a very upbeat and positive minded team, the most enjoyable and rewarding aspect is seeing the impact our work has on our customers, and the value it brings intransformingtheir business.
In terms of career development, how important is it to build a professional network and attend industry events?
Incredibly important. Growing up I was always told to ‘network, network, network’, andthese events not only showcase the latest technology, but they also provide us with a unique opportunity to meet others who share the same interests, and exchange knowledge. Events like these can open many doors, andyou don’t know what could be around the corner.
How much impact can a mentor have on your personal development?
Personally, having a mentor is vitally important. Do they have to be from the same industry? Not necessarily. My mentor was a family friend, Eileen Sowney, who at her time was the only female director atFirst Trust Bank.She understood what it was like to work in a male dominant industry. She always said, ‘the only downfall we have is our own lack of confidence, not lack of ability’.Having confidence is the willingness to try.
What guidance would you offer to any young person on why they should consider a career in technology?
The world of technology changes rapidly and every day is different. By embarking ona career in technology, you will have the opportunity to play a significant part in peoples’ lives and change them for the greater good. My advice would be to find an area of technologyYOU enjoy, find a community in relation to this field, and attend events to ‘network’ with others who also share the same interest you do. And one thing to remember is, ‘if at first you don’t succeed try, try, try again’.
What advice would you give to women considering a career change or return to work but are daunted by the prospect of working in what can be perceived as a male-dominated industry?
The advice I use/have is a quote from Eileen, "One thing I've seen is that, often, if a woman can do nine-tenths of a job, she won't apply. Generally, a man who reckons he can do even seven-tenths of the job will apply for it anyway. Maybe it's time for those women to say to themselves, 'Hang on, I can already do nine-tenths and I can learn the other tenth' and just go for it." (Belfast Telegraph, 2008)
For those who may not come from a STEM background, what other career opportunities exist within the tech sector beyond software engineering?
The world of technology is not all coding, there are lots of areas to consider from research, product management, sales and marketing, consulting, education and training, technical writing and communication, or ethics and sustainability to name a few. However, it is important to remember that we all hold transferable skills, don’t let fear hold you back, and find something you enjoy. Just go for it!
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