What happened next for Saima Sadiq?
In this ongoing series, we speak to our winners about life after winning a TechWomen100 Award.
Now in their sixth year, the TechWomen100 Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of women in tech – the emerging tech talent and role models for the future.
We spoke with Saima Sadiq, who won a TechWomen100 Award in 2021.
I started my technology career fresh out of college as a young 19 year old helping Sky TV customers with their technical equipment issues (and then broadband and mobile technical support when these products came along).
I’ve worked in a variety of roles with increasing levels of responsibility and escalation resolution. In 2012 I moved in to project management and became responsible for some of Sky’s high profile and strategic projects which gave be an opening and insight into a whole different world of technology. This is when I truly became involved in STEM and the growth opportunities within this field for women. Until this point, not only did I not have much awareness of STEM and what this meant but also what this could mean in terms of a long term fulfilling career. 2017, following the e birth of my youngest son at the age of 35 years old I decided to take the leap after 18 years at Sky TV and branch out in to the technology world and took up a position as Senior Program Manager at Mastercard Payment Gateway Services and have never looked back. Payments technology is a fascinating field that we all take for granted but learning and growing my knowledge in this field has really opened my eyes and ignited a new passion in my life. I am part of the group that work with young primary school aged girls as part of the Girls4Tech program to tech them about STEM and the job and career opportunities that are open to them. I now work as the Lead Technical Program Manager for MPGS in Europe leading a high performing team of Technical Program Managers delivering strategic business change working closely with our Product and Engineering partner teams.
How did you feel when it was announced that you’d won a TechWomen100 award?
I was extremely proud and truly humbled to have won the TechWomen100 award. I have worked extremely hard in my career and have taken many falls along the way but always have risen stronger and more motivated and determined to succeed. 2019, 2020 and 2021 were extremely difficult years for me on both a professional and personal level so to have received this award was the ultimate recognition of hard work and commitment.
Please tell us what has happened in your career since winning the TechWomen100 award?
Since winning the TechWomen100 award, I have been called out in Mastercard’s Global and European and local colleague town halls, I have featured on our internal bulletin board, Mastercard HUB as well as Linkedin. I was fortunate enough to work with our comms and marketing team to have recorded a podcast which was published and shared on the Mastercard network and on socials such as our twitter, Facebook and Linkedin pages. In terms of my career, support from my immediate team and wider Mastercard payment gateway team has been phenomenal. I exceeded expectation and goals for my year end performance review and got really positive feedback and results and to top off what was a whirlwind end to and amazing year, I also secured an internal promotion to Director, Program Management with my new role still evolving but moving toward an amazing future!
What advice would you give to someone else going through the award’s process?
You will get back in life what you are willing to put in so believe in yourself – you are truly awesome! Winning is amazing but even to be recognised is a sign that you ARE making a difference. Keep it up and keep on shining!
What tips would you give to our other members to enhance their careers?
Build your network but stay true to yourself, bring your most true, authentic and confident self to work every single day. Persevere and don’t be shy to talk to your boss about where you want to go in your career.
Step out of your comfort zone but most importantly, own your own career.
Nobody owes it to you to help you succeed – you however owe it to yourself to go out there and get it!
