Meet Line Hjardemaal, a visionary trailblazer in technology and a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion. In this exclusive interview, she shares her inspiring journey from finance and telecommunications to the forefront of innovation at Milestone Systems.
With a deep-seated belief in the power of technology to drive positive change, she discusses the challenges she’s faced, her unwavering commitment to responsible tech, and her mission to encourage more women to join the industry. Join us as we delve into her insights on overcoming barriers, fostering diversity, and paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future in tech.
Tell us about what got you interested in technology and why you chose the space and field of technology.
I have always been fascinated by tech and how tech can enable us to do new things – easier, faster, better and cheaper. Change motivates me, and being around people who feel the same is exciting. The world is constantly developing, and for me, tech is a key enabler to push the boundaries and reshape our daily lives. Being part of that journey is essential to me, which is why I chose to join Milestone Systems.
Could you share your journey in technology, the challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
My educational background is commercial, and before joining the tech industry, I worked in telecommunications and the financial sector. So, I needed a way into the tech industry, got one, and seized it. That step was the starting point of my tech career. Starting something new or somewhere new has always motivated me, and joining a software company required me to learn quickly to understand the products, the competitive landscape, and the industry dynamics.
Over the years, there have been many challenges. One of the most exciting ones has been our work within responsible technology, ensuring our products are developed, sold and used responsibly and ethically. With technology comes responsibility, and it has been important to me to work for a company that shares my values, takes an active role, and leads by example.
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?
For the past years, I have been volunteering as a mentor for young women in technology, as I would like to encourage more women to join the industry. For me, it is not only about gender. It is about diversification. I firmly believe in the strength of diversification, which is a challenge within the tech industry: There needs to be more variety. The situation is, however, changing, and I see a change in the demographics with younger people joining.
Unfortunately, the number of women joining is still relatively low, especially in the more tech-heavy positions. Companies should reach out to more women directly after graduation to create awareness around the industry early on. To do so, exciting graduate programs, career opportunities, good employee benefits packages for maternity leave, etc., must be established and communicated clearly. To be an attractive employer, we need to be able to make an attractive offer.
What is the biggest obstacle that women in technology face?
The biggest obstacle for women in technology is ourselves. We do not see a lot of women in technology, so we might unknowingly assume that it is not for us. It takes a deliberate choice and awareness of the opportunity to join the tech industry. Not seeing role models or knowing anything about the great career options means that women look elsewhere for jobs.
What advice would you give women?
I advise other women to take the chance if they see it. I did consider myself a tech person before joining tech, also considering my commercial background. I also have a passion for people and innovation, which I believe many other women do, and this industry represents both. So, I encourage women to believe in themselves and see the vast opportunities within the industry. More diversification will benefit all of us. We just need more first movers to pave the path for the rest.
