Jana Hoferkova's journey to Technology Consultant at PwC proves that successful tech careers don't require traditional paths. With degrees in law and psychology, Jana discovered her passion for technology consulting through conversations with friends, eventually finding her niche leading complex transformation programs for diverse, global teams.
Her unconventional route from legal studies to technology consulting reflects the industry's evolution, where humanities backgrounds bring valuable critical thinking and emotional intelligence to business challenges. Jana recently shared her insights with Sync NI on finding your place in tech, building meaningful networks, and why curiosity matters more than STEM credentials.
Have you always had an interest in technology, and was there a specific person or particular event that led you into your current role?
I was always interested in the humanities and studied law, psychology, and journalism - so technology wasn't a career I'd ever considered. However, most of my friends studied STEM subjects. Through talking to them, I gradually became interested in techespecially big data and business technology. When a friend working as a technology consultant talked about working on these“projects”, I thought this might be the career for me.
What would you consider to be the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of your job?
I enjoy finding and solving problems. My job changes with technological advancements and market shifts; some areas considered "the future" only a few years ago are now forgotten as new trendsemerge (hello, AI!). This means that I need to constantly reinvent myself and learn new things, which I genuinely enjoy.I appreciate the constant change even though it can be a bit daunting at times.
READ MORE: Tech Trailblazer: Claudia Scott, Data Analyst, PWC
In terms of career development, how important is it to build a professional network and attend industry events?
I know it sounds cliché, but a strong network is invaluable - you never know when it might prove useful. For example, last year during an internal networking event, I met a director working in a completely different area of the firm. We chatted about volunteering optionsand our conversation gave me the confidence (and the final push) to apply for charity board positions, something I was considering for a while. I'm now a proud trustee of Autism Initiatives NI, a wonderful charity that provides supported living for people with autism.
How much impact can a mentor have on your personal development?
You do not need a mentor but having one can be a real catalyst for your career. They can help you identify your strengths and areas for development, navigate challenges, build confidence, and unlock your potential—both personally and professionally. There is a big focus on coaching and mentoring in PwC andI’ve been very lucky to have people who would ask me (sometimes very) challenging questions, give me honest feedback and help me to figure outhow I want to navigate my career.
What guidance would you offer to any young person on why they should consider a career in technology?
Technology is a broad term encompassing many different areas, making it a diverse field filled with people from different backgrounds and with varied perspectives. Because of this breadth, almost everyone can find a niche that suits them. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to learn. Also, since technology is now fundamental to nearly every industry, the question should be: why not consider a tech career?
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?
Fortunately, the perception of technology as a male dominated industry is slowly changing, though we still have a long way to go. There are exceptional women working in tech, along with great allies helping to close the gender gap, making the prospect much less daunting than it might initially seem. If there are no women (or people from diverse backgrounds) in a particular area of tech yet, let's strive to become the trailblazers who change that.
For those who may not come from a STEM background, what other career opportunities exist within the tech sector beyond software engineering?
There are many opportunitiesand a STEM background isn't necessary for most roles (though it can be helpful)—from product owner, business analyst, scrum master, UX designer, and project manager, to name a few. Non-technical skills such as critical thinking, creativity and emotional intelligence will become very important. And our jobs and our careers will evolve accordingly.
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