Upskilling in tech as a project manager
Project Manager and CFG Ambassador Boo shares how upskilling in tech via CFG courses allow her to lead tech teams with confidence.
Code First Girls Ambassador Boo Jenkinson, Project Manager at Platform X Communications (PXC) shares about her role as a project manager in tech, and the steps she took to advance her career. She also started the specific CFG MOOCs that allowed her to upskill as a project manager, and other aspects of her career journey. To learn more about Boo’s journey, feel free to connect with her on Linkedin!
THE HOT SIX QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS!
What is your favourite CFG MOOC tech topic that you have done?
Agile & Scrum MOOC
What is your choice of beverage whilst working?
Coffee, not just while I’m working, all the time. I go to bed at night looking forward to waking up for my coffee!
If you had to only use one for life: Laptop or PC?
My Laptop only because I’m constantly on the move I hate being tied down to one location
Are you most productive in the morning or evening/night?
Either early in the morning or late at night. Midday is when the distractions happen most, like food and chatting with people
What do you listen to whilst you work and where? Spotify, radio, vinyl or fave CD?
My little neurodivergent brain can’t handle music and concentration. I need absolute silence or white noise. Otherwise I’ll start typing lyrics into my spreadsheets.
What is your comfort food?
Pasta, I could eat pasta for breakfast, luch and dinner. I even like it plain covered in Lurpak, STOP I’m drooling!
Hi Boo, could you tell us a bit about yourself and why you wanted to be a CFG Ambassador?
My name is Boo, and I’m a project manager for Platform X Communications (PXC). I manage technology projects in Networks, Security, and Cloud. I became an Ambassador for Code First Girls because I have a passion for encouraging women and girls to pursue careers in tech. My tech career was almost accidental and now I’m here I want to shout from the rooftops how great it is. I wish someone had told me that it was an option, that it was highly rewarding and that I’d be good at it! I speak to many women who now work in tech and many are like me and simply “ended up” working in tech. I’d love for more women to have intentional careers in tech. Code First Girls is helping with that very mission.
Could you tell us a bit more about your role as a project manager at PXC?
In my role, I’m responsible for coordinating teams, setting project timelines, and ensuring that we deliver on our objectives on time and on budget. A typical day involves a mix of meetings with stakeholders to align on project goals, working closely with engineering and security teams to track progress, and troubleshooting any issues that arise to keep everything on schedule. I thrive on the challenge of balancing multiple projects at once and enjoy the problem solving aspect of my job. What I love most about being a project manager is the opportunity to bring people together to achieve a common goal.
I wish someone had told me that (a tech career) was an option, that it was highly rewarding and that I’d be good at it!
Can you share what elements allowed you to advance your career? (e.g. networking, mentorship, etc.
A combination of things helped me move forward in my career. Mentoring was a big one. It doesn’t always have to be formal or part of a structured programme with paperwork and scheduled meetings. Sometimes, it’s as simple as asking for advice from people you admire at work. That informal guidance has been incredibly valuable in helping me grow. Networking has also been a game-changer for me.
Once I realised the benefits of building a professional network, my career really took off. I started attending tech events and meeting people in the industry outside of my workplace. Talking and sharing ideas with others not only boosted my confidence but also led to opportunities for public speaking and becoming a mentor myself. It opened up a whole new world of possibilities.
How did these MOOCs play a role in advancing your career?
What I love about the CFG courses is the wide range of topics they cover. I work on several tech projects at a time, and one of the toughest challenges is getting up to speed with all the acronyms and processes on each new project. The MOOCs have been fantastic for helping me get to grips with the terminology and providing a solid foundation so I can walk into meetings with confidence.
One of my favourite MOOCs was the Agile and Scrum course. The course covered everything from the basics of Agile versus Waterfall to the intricacies of Scrum, including sprints, team roles, and ceremonies. It even provided an overview of Jira, which was really interesting. The insights and skills I gained from that MOOC have been a great addition to my project manager toolkit.
The MOOCs have been fantastic for helping me get to grips with the terminology and providing a solid foundation so I can walk into meetings with confidence.
Can you describe a pivotal moment or project in your career that helped propel you to a senior position?
A pivotal moment in my career was when I started as a coordinator on a huge multi-year access network project. The project was complex, there was an awful lot of pressure and a lot of moving parts across multiple teams. As stressful as it could be I thrived off the challenge. I had this drive to excel, I immersed myself in the project, often taking my laptop home and working late into the night after putting my son to bed. Over time, I built strong relationships with stakeholders by understanding their needs and anticipating their requirements, I found I could add value. My hard work did not go unnoticed. I received a promotion to project manager for the same project. The transition was seamless, thanks to the team around me. They were happy to mentor and guide me.
How do you advocate for yourself and others in terms of career advancement and recognition within your organisation?
I have been lucky in my career that I’ve had many people advocate for me over the years. People who have advocated for me even when I didn’t believe in myself. I’m getting better at self advocacy but there’s still work to do. It has made me want to pay it forward though. I love advocating for others when I can because I know how much of a difference it can make.
My drive to succeed paid off, and I'm grateful I pursued my career when I did. I can provide my son with the life I always wanted for him. My career has made that possible.
How do you handle imposter syndrome or self-doubt within the tech industry?
Fake it till you make it baby! That’s something my mum had always told me to do. As a child, I was painfully shy. My mum however was not. I don’t think my mum is even capable of feeling shyness as an emotion. I always wanted to be like her. One day before school I asked her how she did it. She told me I just have to pretend I am confident and then I will be. I have been pretending to be my mum ever since.
What advice would you give to other parents or caregivers who aspire to advance in their careers while balancing family commitments?
Balancing a career with family commitments is so so hard but it is possible. When I returned to work after having my son, I knew I was making myself financially worse off due to transport and nursery fees. However, working was essential for my personal fulfilment. My drive to succeed paid off, and I’m grateful I pursued my career when I did. I can provide my son with the life I always wanted for him. My career has made that possible.
Thank you boo!
Thank you to Boo for sharing her insights on neurodiversity in tech, as well as her CFGdegree experience! Click here for more Code First Girls community stories and blogs! 🤩
Want to upskill in your role? Learn more about CFG MOOCs!
