Women in Technology: Caroline Mungai

By Elysee Niyigena, Communications Officer, RSCE

How did you begin your career in Technology?

My love for technology was born at home during holiday seasons where my mum would task me with her campus assignments that required soft copies, and I would use our home desktop to type them. I enjoyed it and after high school enrolled for a diploma in IT as I waited to join university.

At University I rejected the psychology course that I had been offered and instead opted for a Bachelor of Business & Information Technology (BBIT). Immediately after University I got an internship in a technology company and that is how my career kicked off.

Could you briefly take us through what you do in your line of work?

• Onboarding new staff that come into the base by requesting for their mobility pack and setting them up on their laptops. Showing them how to use the basic software required e.g. outlook as they settle in.

• Attending to the help line/ call center through which clients reach the service desk for help.

• Responding to emails with client enquiries and requests. Logging in and attending to incidents and requests from clients.

• Following up to ensure each request is handled. Escalation of issues that are beyond the first level of support.

What has been your favourite IT project at the UN/RSCE?

The transition in printing from using PIN codes to using the ID cards. This has made the task easier, especially not having to remember the PIN for most clients. I am glad that I was involved in this project.

What does this year’s International Women’s Day theme (Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress) mean to you?

It means educating women, especially in less privileged communities, providing equal job opportunities that women can be part of, breaking the norm that specific tasks or jobs are meant for women or for men, thriving in a peaceful home especially for married women, empower women by giving them financial assets.

What advice would you give women interested in pursuing a career in technology?

There is need to acquire new technical skills or knowledge as technology keeps evolving. Get out of your comfort zone. Look for online courses, bootcamps, or degree programs that can help you gain the skills you need. There are also many free resources, such as YouTube. Look out for women role models in the same field.

Be passionate about what you look forward to pursuing; that way you will never feel like you are struggling to be good at anything you do.

Do you have anything else to share – regarding being a Woman in Tech?

Deliver high quality work, reliably and consistently!