photographer: annemieke van der togt ©
nationale postcode loterij & vriendenloterij
the digital landscape is evolving rapidly, and in the coming years a wealth of talent will be required to navigate these changes. women remain underrepresented in the tech and analytics fields. often, women do not consider these areas when choosing their studies, and they are less likely than men to apply for tech job openings later. although we maintain a good gender balance in our organisation overall, we observe this trend as well. this is unfortunate, as the field offers numerous career opportunities. additionally, diversity in teams is crucial: diverse teams perform better, foster more innovation, and contribute to a more inclusive culture. fortunately, we have highly enthusiastic and ambitious female tech team members at the lotteries. we believe sharing their stories more widely will make a difference. and we hope this role model campaign will inspire more women to pursue careers in tech, and we cordially invite them to come and work with us in a tech role.
léa junger
data scientist at nationale postcode loterij & vriendenloterij
about
for as long as i can remember, i’ve been drawn to technology, so it felt natural to pursue a career in this field. i studied computer science and completed a master’s in ai and big data. after my studies, i discovered my passion for data science. what i like about the industry is that it’s always a work in progress;your job can look completely different from one year to the next.
a little over a year ago, i decided to move from france to the netherlands. looking for a job, i felt immediately drawn to this organisation and its mission. since joining, i’ve attended several talks at our office by charities that we support. it’s motivating to go to work each day knowing that what you do contributes to making the world a better place. i also appreciate the opportunities i get here to shape my own career path.
why do you think it is important that role models need to be visible?
when i was a student, there were always only a few girls in my year. initially, while i was still living as a male, i didn’t really think much about this imbalance.
however, as i transitioned, my perspective and understanding gradually shifted. as others’ perceptions of me and my skills changed, i had to prove myself more than before. it was during this time that i truly came to understand the importance of relatable role models. seeing yourself reflected in someone else can be incredibly empowering and help you to recognise your own potential.
visibility of role models is crucial not only for inspiring women but also for challenging stereotypes and promoting inclusivity. everyone should see that anyone, regardless of things like gender identity, can make a meaningful impact in the tech field. if i can do it, anyone can.
nationale postcode loterij & vriendenloterij
the digital landscape is evolving rapidly, and in the coming years a wealth of talent will be required to navigate these changes. women remain underrepresented in the tech and analytics fields. often, women do not consider these areas when choosing their studies, and they are less likely than men to apply for tech job openings later. although we maintain a good gender balance in our organisation overall, we observe this trend as well. this is unfortunate, as the field offers numerous career opportunities. additionally, diversity in teams is crucial: diverse teams perform better, foster more innovation, and contribute to a more inclusive culture. fortunately, we have highly enthusiastic and ambitious female tech team members at the lotteries. we believe sharing their stories more widely will make a difference. and we hope this role model campaign will inspire more women to pursue careers in tech, and we cordially invite them to come and work with us in a tech role.