As a child, Jessica Constantinidis was drawn to building things, often commandeering father’s shed tools for her projects. Her early affinity for tinkering led to programming on a Commodore 64 and laid the foundation for my journey as a technologist.
In 1998, Constantindis seized an opportunity to build ISABEL, Belgium’s first online banking system, marking her entry into the tech realm. Today, as the Field Innovation Officer for ServiceNow, she leverages those lessons to transform business operations through technology.
Tell us about what got you interested in technology, why did you choose the space and field of technology?
As a child, I liked to build things. I would “borrow” my dad’s shed tools to build anything — even a hutch for my rabbit. I was never interested in what was considered “girl’s stuff”. When I was 12, my dad got me a Commodore 64 because my automatic Olivetti typewriter just did not go far enough to satisfy my curious mind. I promptly dismantled the Commodore just to learn how to put it back together. And I taught myself how to program. I attended the best schools, I studied ancient Greek and Latin, but I never wanted to be a lawyer or a doctor. I was a tinkerer in my bones and a technologist through and through.
Years later, in 1998, I found a company hiring people to build ISABEL, Belgium’s first online banking system. I didn’t hesitate; I took a leap of faith. I was a builder at last. I got to see how things worked up close, and how those things went on to influence the creative side of business. Today, I bring those lessons to my role as Field Innovation Officer for ServiceNow. I work with business stakeholders to change how they operate and use business applications.
Could you share your journey in technology, the challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
As a young technologist, I adopted the philosophy of never shying away from any opportunity to learn something new. And so I programmed for JD Edwards; I became a Microsoft-certified engineer; I joined a little startup called VMware. I jumped eagerly into adventures. The unknown never frightened me; it excited me. I ended up being offered most jobs without having to apply and I took leap after leap of faith. I was initially lucky because I was always considered “one of the guys” as I was the only female engineer in VMware for years. But in later years, in management, I encountered more of a “boys’ club” where promotion was seldom considered for women. So instead of waiting around to get promoted, I moved to a company that was prepared to give me that opportunity.
Women need role models too. My most important mentor was in Dimension Data. He was a real paterfamilias – a very friendly, to-the-point manager who nurtured my talent and taught me much of what I know today. He gave me the opportunity to grow inside a boy’s club. My advice to women: seek out people who want to see you succeed.
What is your take on women in technology and how is the landscape changing? What can be done to ensure there are more women in tech roles?
It is curious that in the GCC, we lack talented people to fill tech roles and yet if women were more represented in tech, we would be well on the way to resolving these skills gaps. Part of the solution is finding ways to balance family and work life because without that flexibility, women will not be drawn to the role. I have moved roles in my career to accommodate the time I needed at home. This balance requires moderation from both sides. You need a flexible company and you need a supportive partner.
Another reason for the lack of women in tech is the perception that they are neither heard nor empowered. Our maternal nature means women are very good at servant leadership, where you put your people first. I look to groups of leaders that help one another with trickier points of authority, like conflict resolution. I mentor both women and men myself in how to navigate the intricate paths of corporate life — be heard, and achieve growth and promotions. The good news is, we are seeing employers striving to be more inclusive, but we still have some distance to travel. Change, as they say, is a constant.
What is the biggest obstacle that women in technology face?
We are grossly underestimated. But demonstrate value and people will start to take notice. Biases can be changed. Women are adept at reading a room, and even if you are not, there are courses that allow you to develop your understanding of non-verbal cues. It helps to know the kind of person you are facing.
But perhaps the people who underestimate us most are ourselves. I think women place a high bar on knowledge in that they require themselves to be 100% experts before claiming to know anything. In my experience, this happens even on CVs, where a man will list a skill even if he has only been introduced to it, where women think they need to be internationally renowned experts to list the same skill. Never underestimate the value you bring. While it is not advisable to paint yourself as a lone wolf who added value on your own, always be prepared to tell people what contributions you made to a team effort. It is not bragging to accurately describe what you did and what benefits occurred because of it. Women must speak up for themselves and not be afraid to lay out the things they know and the things they can do.
What advice would you give women?
Make friends. Join groups. Rant among yourselves. Commiserate and encourage one another. And strategize too. Help each other with roleplay for interviews, presentations, pitches, and other opportunities to prove your worth. Support groups like this can keep you strong. Above all, they will remind you to never underestimate yourself and that other people’s underestimation of you can be an advantage. Sign up for courses and skills that enhance your ability to read people; take courses on conflict management, and then bring those skills back to the roleplay sessions you have with colleagues and friends.
If you feel stuck in a role, do not wallow. Skill up and move companies. Remember to leave your comfort zone every so often; you cannot develop professionally without shaking things up once in a while. Look out for a good mentor. The more senior, the better, and ideally, they should be someone who doesn’t work at your organization, so you can get an outside perspective.
Change in your life will mean change at home. Compromise with your partner will be essential. And pass on what you have learned. Your children will learn and work in a changing world. Encourage them to be curious and hone the habits that will allow them to flourish.
