Women in Technology at ICON
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.
Sign up for post alerts
ICON & You
The potential of together.
Careers that improve the lives of patients, our clients and each other. Are you ready to make a difference?
View jobsRelated jobs at ICON
Salary
Location
Poland, Warsaw
Location
Sofia
Budapest
Warsaw
Bucharest
Johannesburg
Madrid
Reading
Remote Working
Office Based
Business Area
ICON Full Service & Corporate Support
Job Categories
Study Start Up
Job Type
Permanent
Description
Role Summary:Support preparation, process and tracking of regulatory and site level critical documents and of site activation tasks required for study site activation in accordance with ICON SOPs/WPs,
Reference
JR137577
Expiry date
01/01/0001
Author
Persis DavisAuthor
Persis DavisSalary
Location
Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
Location
Kuala Lumpur
Remote Working
Remote
Business Area
ICON Strategic Solutions
Job Categories
Accounting & Finance
Job Type
Permanent
Description
We are currently seeking a Senior Investigator Pricing Analyst to join our diverse and dynamic team. As a Senior Investigator Pricing Analyst at ICON, you will be essential in developing and analyzing
Reference
JR134880
Expiry date
01/01/0001
Author
Sitti LimAuthor
Sitti LimSalary
Location
Regional United States (PRA)
Location
Montreal
Multiple US Locations
Burlington
Remote Working
Remote
Business Area
ICON Strategic Solutions
Job Categories
Medical Writing
Job Type
Temporary Employee
Description
This role supports clinical trial transparency and disclosure activities, including document redaction, results posting, and plain language summary development, in compliance with global regulations a
Reference
JR137668
Expiry date
01/01/0001
Author
Brendan HoeyAuthor
Brendan HoeySalary
Location
US, Blue Bell (ICON)
Location
Blue Bell
Remote Working
Remote
Business Area
ICON Strategic Solutions
Job Categories
Scientist
Job Type
Permanent
Description
We are currently seeking a Clinical Scientist to join our diverse and dynamic team. As a Clinical Scientist at ICON, you will play a critical role in designing and conducting clinical studies that adv
Reference
JR136282
Expiry date
01/01/0001
Author
Melissa BennerAuthor
Melissa BennerRelated stories
Teaser label
Our PeopleContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/08/2025
Summary
A Career Built on Purpose: Dimitar's Journey at ICON Plc Dimitar Karzhin’s career path is not one he could have predicted. What began with a decade as a practicing General Practitioner in Bulgaria l
Teaser label
Career ProgressionContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/19/2025
Summary
How to Build a Strong LinkedIn Profile That Attracts Employers LinkedIn is no longer just a digital CV. It is a professional network, a space to showcase your skills and a platform to connect with
Teaser label
Our PeopleContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/16/2025
Summary
Growing with ICON: Christina’s Journey in Clinical Operations and Quality Leadership At ICON, we are proud to showcase the incredible journeys of our colleagues who make a real impact on pati
Recently viewed jobs
Impactful work. Meaningful careers. Quality rewards.
At ICON, our employees are our greatest strength. That’s why we are committed to empowering you to live your best life, both inside and outside of work. Whether your ambition is lead a global team, become a deep scientific or technical expert, work in-house with our customers or gain experience in a variety of different ICON functions, we will support you in realising your full potential. Learn more about Our Culture at ICON