Breaking Barriers: Hannah’s Six-Month Internship Journey - Progress, Challenges, and Aspirations

Hannah is halfway through her journey as part of Power 365’s first Women in Tech internship.

As a company, we recognise the crucial need to support and empower women to break into the tech industry. Our Women in Tech internship is aimed at creating opportunities and breaking down the barriers that women face in entering this industry.

We sat down with Hannah to discuss her experiences over the past six months, any challenges she’s faced and the goals she’s set for the future.

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Q: How have the first six months of your internship been? Are there any achievements you're particularly proud of?

A: The first six months have been so insightful. It’s given me a real understanding of how the business world operates which is something I didn’t fully grasp before. One thing I’m most proud of is earning my AZ-900 certification. It’s my first official credential, and it felt like a big milestone.

On top of that, I’ve really enjoyed the experience of getting to know everyone on the team. The supportive and collaborative atmosphere has made this journey fun and educational. I’ve learned so much from the people around me and it’s been exciting to apply new knowledge as I go.

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Q: What kind of projects have you worked on so far?

A: I’ve been working on a range of personal learning projects which have focused a lot on data and machine learning. For instance, I’ve spent time exploring Power BI to create reports and I’ve found it satisfying to see how data can be visualised in a meaningful way.

Another highlight has been participating in client meetings. Those experiences have helped me understand the practical side of how businesses use tech to solve problems and meet their goals.

Recently I’ve also started working on a more software-focused project, where I’ve been fixing bugs and contributing to the development process. It’s been a great way to get hands-on experience with debugging, which has definitely helped me sharpen my problem-solving skills.

Q: What has been the most challenging aspect of the internship and how have you approached those challenges?

A: The most challenging part has definitely been “learning while doing.” A lot of the tools, software and technologies I’ve been working with were completely new to me when I started. It can feel overwhelming at times, especially when I’m trying to meet deadlines while still figuring things out.

But I’ve learned to embrace this challenge. I remind myself that learning is a process, and it’s okay to take time to understand something thoroughly before moving forward. Asking for help when I’m stuck has also been a huge part of overcoming this challenge and everyone here has been so supportive.

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Q: Is there a particular skill or area of expertise you’ve developed that you didn’t expect to focus on?

A: The reporting side of data. I’ve discovered how much I enjoy working on data visualisation and creating reports with tools like Power BI. There’s something rewarding about turning raw data into something clear and visually engaging that can inform decisions.

I never thought I’d be so drawn to this area, but it’s opened up a whole new pathway for me. It’s even influencing my thinking about what I might want to specialise in after I graduate.

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Q: Has your perception of the tech industry changed over the past six months? If so, in what ways?

A: It has in some ways. I’ve always known the tech industry is male-dominated, but working here has given me more perspective on that. It’s especially noticeable in coding-focused roles, where you don’t see as many women.

That said I’ve been really encouraged by the mindset of the team here. Everyone has been so open and forward thinking. It gives me hope that the industry is heading in the right direction and becoming more inclusive.

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Q: Have you encountered any moments or initiatives during your internship that you feel genuinely promote inclusivity in the workplace?

A: Yes absolutely. For me, the company days have stood out the most. They’re designed to bring everyone together and ensure that no one feels left out, which has been especially important for me as someone with a disability.

I’ve never felt excluded or like I couldn’t participate in anything. On top of that the general support here has been amazing. Whenever I’m struggling with something I feel completely comfortable asking for help because I know the team is always there to back me up.

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Q: What are your goals for the remaining months of your internship?

A: My main goal is working towards earning the AI-900 and DP-900 certifications. These stepping stones will help me build a stronger foundation in data science and artificial intelligence, which are areas I’ve grown passionate about during my internship.

I also want to keep developing my skills in data reporting and visualisation. There’s so much to learn and I’m excited to keep improving and exploring the possibilities in this area.

Q: Has this experience influenced your future aspirations or shaped your career goals?

A: 100%. Before this internship, I never considered reporting or data science as potential career paths. Now that I’ve had a chance to dive into these areas I can see myself building a career around them.

It’s amazing how one experience can completely change your perspective and open up new doors. I’m really excited about where this journey could lead.

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Q: What has surprised you most about working in a professional tech environment?

A: How close-knit the team is! I was surprised by how willing everyone is to help each other out. Even in a fast-paced environment, there’s a real sense of collaboration and support.

That’s something I didn’t expect before starting the internship and it’s made a huge difference in how comfortable I feel here.

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Q: How do you think initiatives like the Women in Tech internship can inspire and support other young women to join the industry?

A: I think that one of the biggest barriers for young women is the fear of not being good enough. Initiatives like this show them that they absolutely can succeed in tech and that there’s plenty of support out there to help them along the way.

It’s not just about getting women into tech, it’s about creating an environment where they feel valued, supported and capable of achieving great things.

We’re incredibly proud of everything Hannah has accomplished so far and can’t wait to see what she achieves in the final half of her internship.

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