Shantel Thomas, a software quality engineer hailing from Portland, has embraced a career in the male-dominated field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) after graduating from Benedict College in South Carolina in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.

Originally envisioning a path in physical therapy and even securing acceptance to The University of the West Indies for the program, Thomas deferred her tertiary studies due to financial constraints. She later obtained a scholarship through the Passport to College programme which supports young individuals facing certain disadvantages.

A Software Quality Engineer ensures that software products meet quality standards by designing and implementing tests, identifying bugs, and collaborating with developers to resolve issues. They also develop testing strategies, automate testing processes, and ensure overall software reliability and user satisfaction.

Reflecting on her journey, Thomas expressed surprise at finding herself in the IT realm. However, exposure to engineering through a friend and mentor at Benedict College, coupled with further research into tech careers, spurred her decision to shift paths.

Shantel Thomas collecting her degree during her commencement ceremony at Benedict College. (Photo: Contributed)

“I never really imagined myself in the Information Technology (IT) space, but when I got into [Benedict] college a friend and a mentor of mine introduced me to engineering, after which I did a little bit more research, I learned about the different jobs in the tech space and decided to switch career paths,” Thomas said.

While acknowledging the predominantly male landscape of her field, Thomas has found her experience as a Software Quality Engineer to be positive thus far. She attributes this to the supportive and respectful environment she has encountered, both among her colleagues and supervisors.

The Titchfield High alum explained that she is enjoying her still-new career in engineering, and though it is a male-dominated position, she has not encountered any issues. Thomas said, however, that the fact that she was only recently employed as a Software Quality Engineer could be the reason for her view, and this may change later in her career when pursuing certain positions or when she is looking to start a family.

“Based on my own experience and the experience of people around me, I would definitely agree that software engineering positions are predominantly male. I honestly believe my experience working in a male-dominated space has been positive. Through all my internships and full-time role, I’ve been able to work with supportive and respectful individuals; both males and females, as well as different ethnic groups,” she explained.

“I’m very grateful for this experience. I think the biggest factor in this is that I’m also early on in my career, so I haven’t gotten to the point of trying to get a certain level of promotion or starting a family and I believe that’s where gender plays a role in your career,” Thomas added.

Thomas emphasises the importance of highlighting women’s achievements in ICT, particularly on occasions such as International Girls in ICT Day. She believes such initiatives not only raise awareness but also inspire young women to pursue careers in the tech industry.

“What the Jamaica Observer/Observer Online and other organisations are doing to highlight females in the ICT field is very important. Not only does it bring awareness to the space, but it also encourages females to be a part of it,” Thomas said.

Observing a shift in attitudes over the years, Thomas notes a growing number of females entering the engineering/ICT field, contributing to a more diverse workforce and challenging long-standing stereotypes.

“I hope that at least one young lady will read this article and she will be inspired to join this growing career space. There’s so much potential for vertical growth, not to mention the financial and stability benefits. I would encourage anyone to consider joining the ICT path. We all know it’s a growing field, so there will be a much wider variety of job positions in the future. It doesn’t have to be engineering, which makes it even better for persons who are worried that coding/programming might be too challenging for them,” she encouraged.

This year, International Girls in ICT Day is recognised on Thursday, April 25, with the continued aim of encouraging girls and young women to pursue careers in ICT to narrow the gender gap in technology-based careers.

“I have seen where there are a lot more females entering the engineering/ICT field within the past couple of years. I believe that is great for companies to diversify their employees because different genders bring different perspectives when it comes to developing a product; from design to production,” the 27-year-old said.

With her own journey as a testament, Thomas hopes to inspire others to embrace the possibilities within the ICT sector, breaking barriers and reshaping perceptions along the way.