SBS Blog > Diversity in Technology by Iris Jiang

Diversity in Technology

By Iris Jiang - Posted on 8 March 2018

To celebrate the arrival of International Women’s Day on March 8, Lele "Iris" Jiang shares her journey into the digital world, her hopes and dreams for the future, and some wise words she has for other women considering a career in technology.

I am currently undertaking the MSc Financial Technology course at University of Strathclyde. I am learning how to code with Python to conduct financial analysis and other data and statistical analytical methods. I am also pleased to be gaining knowledge of the cutting-edge decentralised technologies such as blockchain and DLT.

I got in touch with technology at high school when I was taught to use Visual Basic to write simple codes and took part in some extracurricular courses learning about SQL database language at undergraduate simply for a certificate of computer. However, I never lost interest in computer science and technology and that is what drives me today.

I have always had a passion for Mathematics - probably it is inherited from my grandma who has a degree in that and had been teaching Maths all through her life. She used to tell me the beauty of Maths and made me believe that women working in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) sector can be intelligent and powerful. Technology is about creating revolutionary progress and will definitely be the future of the world. Whoever is unable to catch the wave will be left behind and that is why I want to be armed for the future.

Currently, as an MSc student, I’m absorbing knowledge about different aspects of technology. I am also a member of the Decentralised Society which was created by a group of fellow students in the FinTech course and aims to raise awareness of and drive forward the decentralised technologies including blockchain and cryptocurrencies. The role that I am undertaking in the society is outreach with a project called “Women in FinTech” allowing technology to be more accessible to different backgrounds and genders, especially females.

Technology should be a tool and solution to make people’s lives more convenient no matter which corner of the world they are in. I would aspire to gain as much knowledge and experience as I can in both business sector and technology sector, thus providing more trustworthy and low-cost financial services to all customers.

Interest is the most powerful engine to drive you to anywhere you want to go, and it’s never too late to begin your study or change career if you possess the engine. Women can be as equally powerful as man in any sector and all you need to do is break down the old mind-set and set sail from now.

This blog was written in response to the Skills Development Scotland's Digital Technologies Skills Group to celebrate diversity on International Women's Day.