In Her Words: Aziza, Cybersecurity Analyst at Accenture

Who has been your biggest role model throughout your career (or life), and how has their influence shaped your approach to work?

My role model has changed over time based on my goals and perspectives. As a child, my role model was my first-grade teacher. Now, I seek meaning in everything I do and learn from great people around me. Being part of a great team and community at Accenture, I get to learn from different expertise and experience and have the right support when I need it. However, I no longer believe in having a specific role model, as everyone is unique in their own way, and we need to discover our own values and strengths by knowing ourselves better. Because no one can be you, and you are like nobody but yourself. This will influence the choices you make and the steps you take in life and shape your personality as well as your approaches in your professional life.

If you could point to one skill that has been the most valuable in your career, what would it be, and how did you develop it?

The one skill that has helped me a lot generally in my career and life is to look at everything from different perspectives and angles. This skill has developed the critical thinking mindset in me. In my role as a Cybersecurity Analyst, I tackle every challenge with passion to solve it by being open to different ideas from different people around me. At Accenture, I am part of a diverse community where I can learn from colleagues with different backgrounds and experiences; this has been important for me to continuously grow, broaden my perspective, and deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients.

What do you think is the biggest myth or misconception about working in tech?

As someone who has done a career transformation, the biggest myth and misconception that I faced was that working in a technical field requires a very high technical skill and background. Joining the Security Team at Accenture, I realized that it is not completely true. Before Accenture, I’ve worked in the public sector, including with the government & NGOs, as well as other consulting and fintech companies that focused on the private sector. Now, as a Cybersecurity Consultant, I am expected to work with a wide range of clients, including government agencies, service providers, banks, and other industries. My extensive background of working in different environments has been valuable in my current role. Furthermore, skills and knowledge can be built over time, and if you have the ambition to grow in a certain field, you can do that.

If you could give your younger self one piece of professional advice before starting your career, what would it be and why?

I would give myself two important pieces of advice. First, believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to be yourself. Because if you do not believe in yourself, nobody else will believe in you, and that has a big influence on your self-esteem, which prevents you from sharing your thoughts and being creative. The second would be to have a curious mindset, especially when collaborating with others and being open to feedback. For example: our aim is to deliver the best quality work for our client. Before our offer or solution gets finalized, we perform a peer review and later a senior manager reviews the final solution. This is how I see myself growing and learning.

Do you think there’s a specific quality or mindset that has helped you thrive as a woman in tech, and how can tech graduates cultivate that early on?

Technology is a changing and growing field; you should be open to change and learning new things to build your skills every day. Having an agile mindset can help you a lot in this field. As well as ambition and having curiosity for learning, you can go as far as you want. At Accenture, we are offered a lot of learning opportunities as well as training for self-development. Regardless of your career level or age, you should benefit from it as much as you can.

For young women looking to make their mark in IT, how important is it to find a supportive community or network, and what should they look for in a mentor or role model?

Although I mentioned that I do not believe in role models, a good mentor and community are super important. When I moved from Afghanistan to the Netherlands, I had to start my whole life and career from scratch. I started doing internships and working in a field that may not have been my passion. I was always questioning myself: “Is this what you want to do for the rest of your life? Or do you want to learn something new?” I was introduced to the Refugee Talent Hub (RTH), which is partnered with Accenture and a few other organizations. I joined Accenture via this community supporting professionals with migrant backgrounds to get a job. I wouldn’t say that the internship was easy, but it was a nice opportunity and challenge for me to begin a career in tech. I have met so many great people and landed a job within an amazing team that supports me, and I am learning a lot being part of this team. This experience has given me a new perspective and new goals, reinforcing my belief. Depending on your situation and goals, communities and good mentors can be super helpful.

How important is it for students and recent graduates to build a network early on, and what steps can they take early in their career (or studies) to stand out?

As mentioned earlier, communication and networking are key to success. As a tech student and recent graduate, it is very important to build that network or to have that network already when you are graduating. It could be achieved by participating in social events, career fairs, and extracurricular activities. These can offer great opportunities for networking and connecting you with the right people. It’s also a skill I now bring into my role at Accenture: your community and network can help accelerate your career, help you overcome challenges, and remind you that you’re not alone in your journey.