{"id":6778,"date":"2025-06-17T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sr2rec.com\/?post_type=womenrock&p=6778"},"modified":"2025-06-11T13:40:46","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T13:40:46","slug":"lorna-mitchell-tech-career-adventure","status":"publish","type":"womenrock","link":"https:\/\/sr2rec.com\/en\/womenrock\/lorna-mitchell-tech-career-adventure\/","title":{"rendered":"The Tech Career Adventure with Lorna Mitchell"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lorna Mitchell <\/a>went from blogging about code to influencing global open-source standards. Her story proves there\u2019s no one path to success in tech.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe ladder is not a ladder at all! It’s more like an adventure path\u2026 with the occasional scrambling moment or scary river crossing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A passionate writer, speaker, and developer, Lorna is an API Architect at TM Forum<\/a><\/strong> and a true force in the world of technology, not just for what she builds, but for how she empowers others along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this Women Rock interview, we dig into Lorna\u2019s inspiring career path, from her early days coding for student societies to becoming an O\u2019Reilly<\/a> author and Technical Steering Committee member for the OpenAPI Initiative<\/a>. Along the way, she\u2019s faced bias, busted stereotypes, and built a career rooted in problem-solving, creativity, and care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you’re a woman starting out in tech, a seasoned developer navigating your next move, or simply curious about what inclusive leadership really looks like, this conversation is packed with insight, honesty, and a whole lot of heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hey Lorna, thanks so much for being part of Women Rock! Please tell me about your story so far and how you got into the world of tech.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I studied Electronic Engineering at university and ended up building websites for student societies on the side. I even used web technologies in my Master\u2019s project, and never looked back!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve written books, blogs, and more. Has writing helped your tech career?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Absolutely. I started my blog to keep track of what I was learning, and I still refer back to it! When I ran my own consultancy, most of my clients found me through that blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writing opened doors \u2014 from publishing with SitePoint and O\u2019Reilly to roles in Developer Relations where communication is key. It’s a core skill, especially when you’re writing for different audiences or leading teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s your experience been like climbing the \u201ccareer ladder\u201d in tech?<\/strong>
Honestly? It\u2019s less of a ladder and more of an adventure trail \u2014 with the occasional river crossing and unexpected detour. But I love that. Every twist brought new lessons and great people into my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What advice would you give women looking to get into tech?<\/strong>
For anyone in a minority, there will<\/em> be challenges. Ask yourself: do you want to fit in, or stand out?
Tech is all about fixing problems \u2014 it’s a deeply caring profession. And when you see it that way\u2026 why wouldn’t<\/em> it be a \u201cgirl thing\u201d?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think a university degree is essential to get into tech?<\/strong>
My degree helped me a lot \u2014 both in terms of content and the extra experiences like running student societies. But I\u2019ve worked with so many talented self-taught people that I don\u2019t think it\u2019s essential.
That said, the job market is tough. Degrees might still open a few more doors early on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you noticed a gender gap across your career?<\/strong>
Yes \u2014 especially in certain areas like PHP. I’ve sometimes worked with other women in tech roles, but not often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s your proudest achievement in tech?<\/strong>
Tough one! Holding my O\u2019Reilly book for the first time was a huge moment. So was speaking on big conference stages.
And technically speaking, I\u2019m now on the Technical Steering Committee for the OpenAPI Initiative \u2014 helping maintain a widely-used standard. I’m really proud of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you faced barriers as a woman in tech?<\/strong>
Yes. I\u2019ve rarely heard overtly sexist comments, but the bias is often more subtle \u2014 like people not believing I\u2019m technically competent.
I\u2019ve learned to navigate those situations and focus on proving my value over and over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can companies do to attract more diversity in tech?<\/strong>
Be intentional. Diverse teams are proven to perform better \u2014 but only if companies back that with real action.
We need to rethink hiring, onboarding, and how we believe in<\/em> people from underrepresented backgrounds. Some of the best places I\u2019ve worked made this a priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s next for you?<\/strong>
I recently stepped back from a very senior role and I\u2019m now enjoying fractional work with smaller companies. The flexibility is amazing, and I\u2019m loving this new phase!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you unwind outside of work?<\/strong>
I still write code for fun! I\u2019ve always contributed to open source, and I\u2019ve got a slightly out-of-control home reno project too. I also love sewing and woodworking \u2014 anything hands-on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who has influenced you most?<\/strong>
My family. They\u2019ve always been there, and that means everything in an industry where it can sometimes feel lonely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lorna’s Quick Takes<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n