“It's our responsibility to do everything within our power to create a planet that provides a home not just for us, but for all life on Earth.”

Meet Joinna… A Data Engineer at Rockpool Digital. Joinna grew up in the Philippines, moved to sunny England (I still can’t quite work out why) and has built a promising career so far!

After realising the insurance industry was not quite right for her (and after watching a fair few coding videos on YouTube), Joinna found her passion in tech and has not looked back since. Joinna is a big advocate for diversity in tech and covers some really important topics in her blog—enjoy the read!

Hi Joinna, thank you for getting involved with Women Rock! Let’s start by telling us a little about yourself and what a day in your life looks like.

I was born and raised in the Philippines, spending my early years on a farm with my grandmother. I've always had a deep love for animals, and one of my aspirations is to someday run my own animal sanctuary where I can rescue and care for them!

In 2011, I left the Philippines and moved to the UK with my parents. Adjusting to the drastic change from tropical warmth to grey skies wasn’t easy and when I tell you as soon as I got off that National Express coach in SWINDON? out of all places, my jaw dropped, and I don't mean that in a good way. I sometimes wish my dad had brought me here during the summer to minimise the impact!

I work as a Data Engineer at Rockpool Digital. When I’m not working, I tend to spend a lot of time with my family, animals, nature, and friends!

How, and why, did you get into Data Engineering? What inspired you?

After college, I embarked on a Degree Apprenticeship in Insurance through an Insurance Brokerage, juggling full-time work with studying for my degree over three years. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—many tears were shed! Once I finished, I thought I’d finally have some freedom, but the universe had other plans, keeping me home for the next year. When COVID hit, I was working from home full-time, and like many others, I found myself in a creative, idea-filled phase. Since I felt unfulfilled with the role I was doing then, I decided to do some research and see what else is out there, and that is when I stumbled upon the magical world of Data Science and AI.

I learned that you needed to know how to code to start. Throughout my research, I mainly saw Python and SQL as the common language, so I decided to watch YouTube tutorials and learn how to code independently. I was so scared to start, but I just pushed myself to do it. I told myself; I've got nothing to lose. I persisted and did further research on qualifications I could get, and then I saw the MSc Data Science course at UWE. The great thing about this is that they welcomed anyone with a non-technical background, so I was able to use my insurance degree to apply, and I got in! I graduated with a Distinction and during my time at UWE, I met some of the most incredibly talented, creative, and ambitious people, and I know they are out there achieving great things.

During my dissertation, I started applying for jobs as I didn’t want to be unemployed after graduation, your girl took a very proactive approach. As much as I loved charts and Excel, I preferred doing a more technical-focused role, leading me to apply for data engineering roles.

This effort paid off when I secured a position as a Junior Data Engineer at Elemis, which has been a fantastic career start, especially with such a supportive team.

Is it no secret that, currently, women and people from diverse backgrounds still face challenges. What challenges do you think are faced in the tech industry, and how do you think these challenges should be combated?

I believe there aren't enough women in leadership roles within the tech industry. During my time at Elemis, I truly admired that their IT department had several women in head positions.

According to Forbes, in 1984, 35% of tech leaders were women. By 2022, that number had fallen to 32%, and in 2023, it went down again to 28%. The way that it is decreasing is quite concerning if you ask me. This could be due to a lot of factors, and here are some of the things I could think of:

Promotion Gap: Implement clear, transparent promotion criteria and actively sponsor women for leadership roles.

Retention Gap: Create supportive environments with flexible work policies and career development opportunities.

Workplace Culture Gap: Foster inclusivity through diversity training and zero tolerance for discrimination.

Mentorship Gap: Establishing structured mentorship and sponsorship programs tailored for women is crucial to fostering their growth and success, particularly in the early stages of their careers. These programs offer guidance, support, and opportunities for advancement that are often hard to come by.

I find this essential as it can help build confidence, develop key skills, and create a pathway to leadership. It ensures that women have the resources and advocates they need to overcome barriers and thrive in their professional journeys.

Representation Gap: We need more representation, and it looks like SR2 is already 2 steps ahead by creating Women Rock as a platform for women to share their voices, but it would be great to see more of this!

Work-life Balance Gap: Encourage work-life balance with flexible hours, remote options, and parental leave policies.

What strategies do you think companies can use to attract diverse talent when recruiting?

We will start to see an increase in emerging young and highly diverse talents, so it's essential to cater to their needs and adopt a forward-thinking mindset. To engage and retain these emerging professionals, we should create events that are not only interactive but also enjoyable, helping to foster a sense of community and connection within the company.

I find that designing an office environment that is both dynamic and functional is essential. An inspiring workspace, like what we see at Gymshark HQ (I am going to need some companies to take notes! ), can significantly enhance employee productivity and overall satisfaction. Investing in such an environment can make the workplace more appealing and conducive to innovative thinking.

In addition to a well-designed office, it’s important to offer flexible work arrangements. Providing options for remote work, flexible hours, or a hybrid model can cater to diverse lifestyles and preferences, making it easier for employees to balance their professional and personal lives. This flexibility can also help in attracting and retaining top talent by aligning with their expectations for modern work environments.

Most importantly, make sure you offer great packages and compensation. What am I supposed to do with a fruit basket that gets emptied by Wednesday? Ultimately, to attract and retain young talent, consider offering competitive salaries, comprehensive health and wellness programs, generous paid time off, professional development opportunities, student loan assistance, work-life balance initiatives, employee discounts and perks, innovative office spaces, social and team-building activities, and the latest technology and equipment.

As a woman in technology, what would you say is the best and worst thing you’ve encountered within the industry over the years, and what did this teach you?

The best part of working in the tech industry so far is being a part of such an amazing and funny team. Since I started, the support from senior members has been incredible, especially when I’ve doubted my skills or struggled with Imposter Syndrome. My manager has been incredibly supportive, pushing me to challenge myself and speak up. Most importantly, the whole team is so encouraging and constantly reminds me that I am more than capable.

On top of that, they get me—tolerating my TikTok references, even if they don’t always get them. I’ve never felt so comfortable being myself at work, and this team will be hard to beat. By the time this gets released, I’ll probably have moved on from the company, but to Paul, Shawn, John, and Jasper, I’m going to miss you guys so much. Thanks for making work fun!

Moving on to one of the most frustrating work experiences I’ve encountered is when colleagues bypass direct communication with the team and go straight to the CIO. This approach creates unnecessary tension and could be easily resolved by open dialogue. I feel this is an area where we can improve—addressing concerns directly with each other would lead to smoother collaboration and avoid misunderstandings.

The key lesson from this experience is the importance of open communication. Instead of escalating issues to higher management without first addressing them with the team, fostering a culture of direct dialogue can build trust and resolve problems more efficiently. It emphasises the value of transparency and collaboration, which can lead to a more cohesive and supportive working environment.

What are your proudest moments/achievements, both professionally, and personally?

My proudest moment in my life is being the first woman in my family to complete a master’s degree. This was such a girl boss move from me, and I will never shut up about it. But this is just the beginning—I have more goals to reach and aspire to set a powerful example not just for the women in my family but for women everywhere.

If you could go back to your 16-year-old self, what advice would you give to her?

All I can say is to keep moving forward, no matter the challenges, setbacks, or heartaches you encounter. It may feel like the world is falling apart, but it isn’t. Keep being brave, strong, and ambitious. These experiences will help shape who you are, so embrace them and allow yourself to simply be. It’s going to be fine.

Who is someone in your life that inspires you?

Someone from my personal life would be my mother, she is such an incredible and talented woman. In her early 20s she left her home country to work and earn money to support me and our family. The thought of moving to a different country solely to financially provide for someone else seemed unimaginable. I truly admire her courage—crossing the ocean leaving everything that she knows behind, facing an unfamiliar language, and taking on a physically demanding job. I'll always be grateful for her.

Another person who inspires me is Malala Yousafzai. She stood up for the right of girls to receive an education in Pakistan, despite the threat posed by the Taliban. Even after surviving an assassination attempt in 2012 when she was just 15 years old, she remained steadfast in her mission. Her activism brought international attention to the importance of education for girls in marginalised communities. She inspires me because I see her as a symbol of hope. Malala represents the power of young people, especially young women, to drive change and make a positive impact. After reading "I Am Malala," I feel incredibly inspired. It has strengthened my motivation to return to the Philippines, share my knowledge and teach girls from unprivileged backgrounds how to code. It's all a matter of timing!

What is your favourite song?

Good question! I have a lot haha, but Baile Inolvidable and DtMF by Bad Bunny are currently being rinsed on repeat! You know what put the whole album in there.

What book would you recommend for our Women Rock bookshelf? 

Tuesdays with Morrie is such a beautiful book! I hold it very close to my heart.

Finally, could you leave us with your favourite quote?

“It's our responsibility to do everything within our power to create a planet that provides a home not just for us, but for all life on Earth.” - David Attenborough.

Interviewed by Adam Townsend