International Women in Engineering Day: Why visibility matters for women in tech

International Women in Engineering Day is a chance to celebrate the women shaping technical industries, but it is also a reminder of why visibility still matters.

Across technology, engineering and digital transformation, the future is being built by people solving complex problems, leading change and pushing industries forward. But for more women to see themselves in those spaces, they need to see others already there: leading teams, building communities, asking questions, taking up space and progressing into the roles where decisions are made.

At Lawrence Harvey, we work closely with the people and businesses driving change across specialist technology markets, from AI and data to cyber security, robotics, engineering and transformation. To mark International Women in Engineering Day, we spoke with Shanice Gaskell, Senior Vice President at Lawrence Harvey, about representation, challenging misconceptions around careers in tech, and why creating space for more women to build long-term careers is something she feels deeply passionate about.

What inspired you to pursue a career in technology?

Honestly, like many people I fell into tech. I've always been drawn to fast-moving environments where the work actually matters. Tech recruitment put me right at the intersection of people and innovation. What I love most about my role today is the access, I get to speak with brilliant people building cool things and that never gets old.

Why are initiatives like International Women in Engineering Day important?

Visibility is everything. You can't be what you can't see! These moments remind the industry that women belong here, not as a diversity tick box! When we celebrate publicly and highlight women in the industry making waves, we give the next generation permission to picture themselves in those roles. That matters more than people realize. It's something I feel deeply passionate about, which is why supporting women in tech and leadership has become such a big part of what I do outside of work too.

What misconceptions would you like to challenge?

That you have to be "technical" to have a career in tech. The industry runs on communicators, strategists, problem solvers, and connectors just as much as it runs on engineers. The best teams I've come across are warm, collaborative, and genuinely invested in each other. The culture is what you make it.

How has the industry evolved, and what progress would you still like to see?

There's been movement. More women in senior roles, more honest conversations but we're not done. I'd love to see more women at the very top, in the C-suite, on boards, and leading the technical functions!

What advice would you give women considering a career in tech?

Start before you feel ready. Find your people early, whether that's a community, a mentor, or just one person in the room who sees your potential. It's why I invest so much of my time in building communities where women in tech can find their people. The tech world moves fast, but so do you. Back yourself, ask the questions you think are "too obvious", and don't shrink to fit spaces that weren't designed with you in mind. There is absolutely a place for you here.