Scotland is home to a flourishing technology sector, with a bustling startup scene, life sciences sector and a hub for financial services, the country’s global reputation is growing rapidly.

With an ever-expanding tech sector, however, challenges arise – particularly with regard to talent.

Traditionally, talent development and retention has been an area which Scotland’s tech sector has struggled with. Running parallel to this has been concerning cultural issues surrounding the gender deficit in STEM subjects.

Simply put, it seems we aren’t doing enough to encourage more young women and girls to pursue careers in science and technology.

While initiatives the length and breadth of the country, many supported by the Scottish Government, seek to address the issue, the reality is that the road to progress will be a long and arduous one.

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To mark International Women’s Day 2021, DIGIT caught up with some of Scotland’s trailblazing women in tech and business.

From software development to ethical AI and skills development, Scotland has an enormous wealth of exceptional female role models pioneering in a range of fields.

In the third instalment of our Q&A series today, we speak with Melinda Matthews-Clarkson, CEO of digital skills academy, CodeClan.

Tell us a bit about yourself, Melinda

I am the CEO of CodeClan, serving since 2017 and have previously held roles as a VP of Sales, Global Executive of Business Development & Enablement, and VP of Alliances and Partnerships at a Fortune 100 company.

I have a BS degree in Sales and Marketing Education, certifications from UCLA Women in Leadership, Executive Coaching, and Mentoring from Edinburgh Coaching Academy. I take pride in being a collaborative executive and have been successful in balancing employee morale with aggressive strategic growth.

Living in Edinburgh, Scotland, I am a dual citizen of the USA and Great Britain and a sponsor for Smart Works Charity, which focuses on assisting women back into the workforce. I’m also an active cheerleader for Girl Guides and STEM organizations and jump at any opportunity to inspire and mentor women to be the best they can be.

What inspired you to pursue a career in tech/business?

There wasn’t a driven decision to join a tech company, but my first tech company was a very small mainframe email software company and I joined at their marketing manager. I was hungry and needed a job in a new city.

Have you entered the digital technology sector via a ‘traditional’ route or transitioned over from another sector?

Before I was the marketing manager in a small software company, I worked for the Sheraton Corporation as the manager for Food and Beverage for a 1,500 room hotel in Washington, DC. It was that role that I learned how effective using software could be.

Is there a particular person – or group of people – that inspired or supported your career choice and the path you have taken?

My first two jobs in tech, manager of marketing and then a sales rep for Computer Associates, were just a job. I was young and just wanted to do good work and be paid.

It was my third company that changed my career, I joined IBM in 1986 and I can list so many people that inspired, mentored, coached and helped me see the path to career happiness was in the software sector.

Are there any women currently in tech/business in Scotland who you admire?

YES! Scotland is full of amazing female leaders – and male leaders that also inspire women.

I love the ladies in Science and Niamh Nic Daeid has inspired me to think about science, technology and crime.

Laurel Quinn and how she started a startup with her daughter. There are so many to choose from, but I find inspiration from the women that come to CodeClan from all sectors and cultures and are so passionate to embrace technology and the sector that is slowly becoming gender diverse.

The STEM gender deficit is a growing issue, what more can we do to inspire and support young women and girls to pursue careers in tech?

I don’t know the answer to this, but I think we have it wrong in secondary schools and we need to make these subjects not so ‘hard and boring’.