Celebrating International Women’s Day 2022

Karen Rogers

Managing Director

1. What was your dream job as a child?

I always wanted to be a PE teacher, I have always loved sports both watching and taking part in as a young child- I thought it would be an ideal job for me.  I was put off slightly as I started High School and was greeted on my first day whilst lined up outside the sports hall at Orwell High School with one of the teachers addressing us all with – right you little maggots – charming! 

Computers were not the normal at school back in the 80’s but they did intrigue me, and it was one of the few subjects along with PE where I really applied myself and had a natural interest.

2. How did you get into the technology sector?

My first job on leaving school was as a Telex operator on a YTS scheme at Worms Cargo in Felixstowe.  I loved the people, but the work didn’t really interest me, but I did enjoy having the money in my pocket.   I was offered a full-time role for treble my YTS wage and for a few minutes I was tempted but in my heart of heart I knew that the work was not for me.

For the first time the penny really dropped with me that I needed to make a change and that I was responsible for me and my future success, I went back to the YTS company and asked them if they could help me look for another placement.  Luck was on my side – I was placed with a technology start-up called Innovation Systems, it was just myself and the Founder of the business Dennis Hodge who had a huge positive influence on me.  As a start-up company I got to do a little bit of everything from picking up the phones to helping organise events to understanding the basics of the programming language Powerhouse.

3. What has been the driving force to get you where you are today?

Positivity and mindset. I can be quite a determined person and if I have a goal in mind, I will move heaven and earth to make it happen and navigate my way through any challenges along the way – but always with the belief I can make stuff happen – just keep going and chipping away at your goals.  I have made some epic mistakes along the way, but I have learnt to embrace them and make sure I take the learning from them.  Keeping positive with a clear sight on your goals has always stood me in good stead.

4. What aspirations do you have for your role at Corbel?

In the wider sense, to be the best person I can be for myself, our team and our customers at Corbel who I care about enormously.  As far as our business – to continue to organically grow our business whilst aspiring to the highest levels of customer service. 

5. This years International Women’s Day theme is #BreaktheBias, how would you encourage more women to become better represented in the tech sector?

The technology industry has a challenge – but also an opportunity when it comes to Gender Diversity, and I think this really starts from childhood and understanding at an early age the diversity of the roles that are available in tech to both men and women.  I think women can thrive in tech with encouragement, discovery in school of the possibilities, alongside role models and mentorship.

2. How did you get into the technology sector?

Having spent a decade as a Secondary School teacher I took a career break to have my little girl. Heading back to work I was looking for flexibility in my work hours and the opportunity to join Corbel arose as the perfect remedy.

I didn’t need to have a background of technological expertise, the extensive transferable skills I gained in my previous career enabled me to develop a marketing strategy that showcased the IT support and services Corbel provides to all, irrespective of their sector or knowledge.

Emma Kievenaar

Marketing Executive

1. What was your dream job as a child?

As a young girl I adored reading, I was a total bookworm and loved getting totally immersed in a story. As I grew up I dreamt of being a journalist and at school was always designing magazines and writing articles for newspapers. One of my favourite things to do at home was endless roleplaying anchoring my own six o’clock news show tip tapping away on my Mums old typewriter!

3. What has been the driving force to get you where you are today?

It sounds cliché but I was always taught just to try your best. Growing up it didn’t matter to my family if I won or lost or whether I passed or failed, as long as I had always tried my best. This is a mantra I have continued to follow. If you always apply yourself and try your best across all aspects of your life- you will flourish. It may not be exactly what you thought but always have a little faith in yourself, approach every opportunity with positivity and the confidence to keep learning and you will find your strengths.

4. What aspirations do you have for your role at Corbel?

It has been amazing to grow and nurture my role as we continually adapt to align ourselves with the latest technological innovations. Every day brings new challenges and an exciting new way to approach marketing. I look forward to continuing to evolve with new ideas and initiatives that continue to showcase what truly is at the heart of our team at Corbel – outstanding customer service.

5. This year’s International Women’s Day Theme is #BreakTheBias, how would you encourage more women to become better represented in the Tech industry?

It needs to start from the grass roots, schools need to continue to elevate the STEM curriculum and encourage interest and awe in the technology sector. This, alongside the roles of women in the industry being highlighted and successfully publicised will showcase the huge variety of opportunity there is for young women to aspire to.

Hannah Underdown

Senior Account Manager

1. What was your dream job as a child?

My dream job when I was younger was to be a policewoman. I remember being obsessed with watching The Bill, and thinking how cool it looked to be in the police! So much action and drama. I’m sure it’s not all like that, but at that age I thought it must be.

In school I even had to write a letter to myself to open in 10 years’ time about what I wanted to do, and where I wanted to be in my life. I opened this letter after 10 years, and yep, there I was, a picture I’d drawn of me in a police uniform, describing how much I wanted to be a policewoman.

2. How did you get into the technology sector?

I never, ever thought I’d work in technology. I went to university to study Mental Health Nursing, but came out knowing it wasn’t the right path for me. I was then looking for job roles that were so far removed from health care (or what I thought were far removed from health care) to try something completely different. A role at Corbel was brought to my attention – and yes, nearly 8 years later!!

By working in the technology sector, I have certainly learnt a lot, but my experience within healthcare had a lot of transferrable skills that I still use every day.

4. What aspirations do you have for your role at Corbel?

I’m keen to progress as much as I can at Corbel, I’ve been on a big journey already, starting from a very junior Sales Support Assistant, to now being a Senior Account Manager. My path is continuing to change and there’s always a lot to learn, but I’m up for it and wanting to progress to the highest role I can, my next step will be to lead the whole sales team – all in good time!

3. What has been the driving force to get you where you are today?

Hard work, positivity and being open to learn everything! I came into the technology sector with no experience – I feel I’ve been a sponge over the last 8 years, soaking up all the information I’m given. I’m really lucky to have a fantastic Technical Team and Managing Director who spend the time to enable me to understand and learn.

5. This year’s International Women’s Day Theme is #BreakTheBias, how would you encourage more women to become better represented in the Tech industry?

My advice to my fellow women would be, do not think of the Tech industry as just being all about computers, and that you need to be a computer whizz – take it from me, it’s not the case! There are so many roles within the tech industry, where the focus isn’t just on the ins and outs of a technical solution or computer. If you enjoy working with different people, care about the level of service you provide, then please consider the Tech industry. You’ll also have technical expertise on hand 5 days a week 😉 There is no reason why women can’t thrive in this male dominated industry, I think there needs to be a real drive to improve the perception of what the Tech Industry is – whether this starts from school in IT lessons, or advertising. There’s many more roles available in the Tech Industry than what people initially think.

Karen Hubbard

Office Administration Supervisor

1. What was your dream job as a child?

My dream job when I was growing up was either to be a professional basketball player or a mechanic, and that purely was what it was… a dream!  My lack of height and lack of exceptional skill would certainly put pay to me ever becoming a professional basketball player, although I did make it to playing at both County and National league standard so I’m quite pleased with that achievement, and if my body wasn’t feeling it’s age I’d still be playing locally.  As for being a mechanic, well I think that was Kylie Minogue’s influence, for those young enough to remember Neighbours all those years ago!

2. How did you get into the technology sector?

If I’m honest I would never have dreamt of entering the technology sector, as I have never been technically minded. I started my career in the Promotional Gift Industry which I absolutely loved beginning as a mere office junior who attended night college to learn different skills, to progressing over the 12 years with the company to become Sales Office Supervisor.  My hand unfortunately was forced when I was made redundant, the company I was working for was taken over by a group and relocated to Derbyshire, and although I was offered a transfer, commitments at the time didn’t allow for the relocation.  Not wanting to be out of work, I applied for several jobs and ‘ta da’ Corbel happened – I’ve now been in the industry for 19 years.

4. What aspirations do you have for your role at Corbel?

My aspirations for my role at Corbel is simply to always do and be the best that I can.  In the words of Maya Angelou “Do the best you can until you know better.  Then when you know better, do better”.   

3. What has been the driving force to get you where you are today?

The influence of my Mum and Dad has been a big driving force for me, they were always hard working, honest, loyal, down to earth people who treated others how they wished to be treated. They gained a lot of respect from employers and people around them for just being ‘them’ and that’s what I aspired to be like. Determination is also a driving force, if you want something then you need to go for it.

5. This year’s International Women’s Day Theme is #BreakTheBias, how would you encourage more women to become better represented in the Tech industry?

With the ever changing world, I think the mentality of ‘his’ and ‘her’ roles are already diminishing rapidly.  My advice for my fellow females is that you don’t need to be a technical genius to play a part in the Tech industry (I am a prime example of that!) However it is an excellent platform to learn – new skills, new phrases, new technology, and lets face it who wouldn’t want to work with people who can fix your laptop or phone at the drop of a hat! Every work place has it’s bonuses! Follow your heart and your dreams, nothing is out of bounds.