JUMP TO CONTENT

Women in Technology at ICON

Posting date: 28/03/2023
Barbara Skerritt our consultant managing the role

Barbara Skerritt, Senior IT Director at ICON in Dublin, shares her experience of having started out in IT despite not coming from a technical background and having founded the Women in Technology initiative in ICON.

Tell us about the Women in Technology initiative you've launched in ICON

In 2022 I founded the ICON’s Women in Technology, under our Networking Organisation of Women. As both a Diversity and Inclusion Advocate and a member of the Networking Organisation of Women, as well as a board member the Grit International Female Accelerator, where we create programs that investing in Healthcare & Life Science for Female Founders, I decided that it was time to tackle the challenge I could see within my own department, that is, the lack of female representation on every level in IT. IT is heavily male dominated industry, not just ICON but generally. The literature tells us that technology needs diversity, especially when we are trying to build products that will be consumed by over 51% of the general population. 

As an organisation, we need to challenge the current environment, by bringing in more diverse experience and viewpoints, which will enable us to create more innovative solutions. Why? Not only is it the right thing to do, diversity has a business impact, not only on the ability to creatively innovate but more diverse organisations achieve about 35% increase in revenues.

What advice would you give someone who doesn’t have a technical background

Believe in yourself. You are good enough; for example, when you go into a new job or when you get a promotion, you are not meant to know everything - the whole point is that you're learning, you're growing and that, is progress. If you are in a job and you know everything, you're not pushing yourself. You're still there in the same skin. Whereas when you go into a new position, you will be outside your comfort zone, stretching yourself all the time. There's been positions that I've been in where I've woken up and I've gone, what am I going doing here? I've got this meeting in front of me where I've got to present something I may not be an expert in, it feels like I should not be there but with each meeting and each challenge, you get through it and you live to see another day and more importantly, you have learned something – result!

Did you experience imposter syndrome during your career?

Well, the first thing I would say about imposter syndrome is how you view it; I used to look at it as a real negative connotation, but I've turned that on its head and realized that my imposter syndrome or my belief that I was not good enough, throughout the years actually made me work harder, made me research more and made me prepare more. I always felt I wasn't good enough because I joined a clinical research company without a degree. I was hiring people with Degrees, Master’s, and PhDs, and I thought these people must be far smarter than me because they've gone to college. So in 2017, I set myself a new challenge and did an MBA and did not think it was as difficult as it was made out to be. It was then I realized that I was good enough. 

I would say to people who feel that imposter syndrome, is to use it to your advantage, embrace it, and take the positives out of it. I think the other thing, is imposter syndrome isn't a bad thing. It's just there. We all feel it. It's trying to chip at our confidence, but remember you are good enough and if you are unsure, take the time to evaluate why you think you are not good enough. It might surprise you what you do know. And never ever seek validation in someone else!

Tell us about the IAmRemarkable initiative

I was introduced to IAmRemarkable while working with Google, which is designed to help elevate and empower women and other underrepresented groups to recognise and celebrate their achievements. 

#IAmRemarkable is a global movement that empowers everyone, including underrepresented groups, to celebrate their achievements in the workplace and beyond, while challenging the social perception around self-promotion. IAmRemarkable provide all the material to deliver a workshop which women and men and underrepresented groups to learn how to own their accomplishments and the importance of self-promotion. 

The research argues that if you promote yourself you are twice as likely to get a promotion. It's very important to make sure that your accomplishments are heard, both by your team and your management, and up above. Don't assume that someone else is going to come along and notice all the work that you're doing or offer you a new position or a promotion – you have to ask for opportunities. 

Sometimes when you self-promote it can be interpreted as bragging, especially for women. What the IAmRemarkable course gives you is that the understanding and the ability to be able to do that self-promotion and understand the impact of it all. I brought this into ICON, I am a facilitator and I have rolled this out to many more people across the organisation by encouraging others to become facilitators and roll it out to their groups.

What advice would you give someone looking to develop their career?

When I speak to women, I encourage them by telling them they need to ask for what you want or go for the job with the next level up, even if that is not in your wheelhouse, there are lots of transferrable skills. Nobody is going to come and ask you; do you want this job? You’ve got to take the initiative. 

Do you want this challenge? If you don't ask, you'll never know, and you'll never be given the opportunities if you don't ask.

If you're interested in exploring a career in technolgy at ICON, view our current IT vacancies today.

List #1

Related jobs at ICON

Senior CRA - Oncology - FL

Salary

Location

Miami, Orlando

Department

Clinical Monitoring

Location

Miami

Orlando

Remote Working

Remote

Business Area

ICON Strategic Solutions

Job Categories

Clinical Monitoring

Job Type

Permanent

Description

As a Senior CRA (ONC) you will be joining the world’s largest & most comprehensive clinical research organisation, powered by healthcare intelligence.

Reference

2025-117236

Expiry date

01/01/0001

Brandon Pupek

Author

Brandon Pupek
Read more Shortlist Save this role
Senior Procurement Specialist

Salary

Location

US, Farmingdale, NY

Department

Full Service - Development & Commercialisation Solutions

Location

Dublin

New York

Remote Working

Office Based

Business Area

ICON Full Service & Corporate Support

Job Categories

Procurement

Job Type

Permanent

Description

Position Overview:Join our team as a Senior Procurement Specialist and play a pivotal role in ensuring efficient vendor selection, contract negotiation, and ongoing vendor relationship management. You

Reference

JR128261

Expiry date

01/01/0001

Michael Hartley Read more Shortlist Save this role
IHCRA Argentina (Hybrid mode)

Salary

Location

Argentina, Buenos Aires

Department

Clinical Monitoring

Location

Buenos Aires

Remote Working

Office Based

Business Area

ICON Full Service & Corporate Support

Job Categories

Clinical Trial Support

Job Type

Permanent

Description

We are currently seeking an IHCRA to join our diverse and dynamic team. As an IHCRA at ICON, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the execution and management of clinical trials, contributing to

Reference

JR130229

Expiry date

01/01/0001

Florencia Pistolesi Read more Shortlist Save this role
Clinical Research Nurse I

Salary

Location

US, San Antonio, TX, IDS

Location

San Antonio

Remote Working

Office Based

Business Area

ICON Full Service & Corporate Support

Job Categories

Nurse

Job Type

Permanent

Description

We are currently seeking a Clinical Research Nurse I to join our diverse and dynamic team. As a Clinical Research Nurse I at ICON, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the execution of clinical

Reference

JR129951

Expiry date

01/01/0001

Stephanie Curran Read more Shortlist Save this role
View all
List #1

Related stories

Liquid drug vials in palm of hand
Understanding INDs and NDAs in Clinical Research

Teaser label

Industry

Content type

Blogs

Publish date

04/22/2025

Summary

What is an IND or NDA? A Guide for Aspiring Clinical Research Professionals If you’re considering a career in clinical research or the broader pharmaceutical and biotech industry, you’ve likely c

Teaser label

Discover the difference between IND & NDA applications, and the steps from drug development to regulatory approval.

Read more
Informed consent form
What is an Informed Consent Form (ICF)?

Teaser label

Industry

Content type

Blogs

Publish date

04/22/2025

Summary

When it comes to clinical trials, one of the most important documents you’ll hear about is the Informed Consent Form (ICF). Whether you're starting out in clinical research or exploring job opportunit

Teaser label

Learn what an Informed Consent Form (ICF) is, why it’s essential in clinical research, and how it protects participants.

Read more
Medic in full gown with a clipboard
Clinical Research Associate (CRA) vs Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC)

Teaser label

Industry

Content type

Blogs

Publish date

04/17/2025

Summary

CRA vs CRC Embarking on a career in clinical research is an exciting journey for STEM graduates, offering opportunities to contribute directly to the development of new therapies and to safeguard

Teaser label

Discover the key differences between Clinical Research Associates (CRA) and Clinical Research Coordinators (CRC).

Read more
View all
List #1

Recently viewed jobs

View Jobs

Browse popular job categories below or search all jobs above