Week 26 of 52 — Women in Tech Series
Welcome to our Women in Tech series. Over the next 52 weeks, we’ll spotlight inspiring women shaping the technology industry — sharing their stories, achievements, and insights.
From founders and engineers to designers, researchers, and community leaders, this series celebrates the diverse voices driving innovation and building the future of tech.
Beth Lowen
Data Scientist at Envelop Risk
How did you first get into tech/innovation?
An opportunity came up for a junior role at my current company. I was really nervous about applying because I had very little tech experience, but I decided to go for it anyway. As I progressed through the interview process, my excitement grew, and I was thrilled when I was offered the role. I’ve been learning ever since.
What did your career path look like before landing your current role?
After leaving university, I worked in a variety of admin and client-facing roles before joining Envelop. I was always drawn to data and naturally gravitated towards tasks that involved analysis and problem-solving. While I enjoyed my previous roles, I knew I wasn’t making the most of my strengths. At the time, I didn’t see myself as someone who would work in tech. I hadn’t followed a traditional STEM path, and I assumed most people in technical roles had very different backgrounds to mine.
Looking back, I can see that the parts of my job I enjoyed most were problem-solving, analysing information and finding ways to improve processes. Over time, I realised that my curiosity, analytical mindset and enjoyment of these challenges could help me succeed in a career in data and technology.
Since joining Envelop, my role has evolved significantly as I’ve developed new skills and taken on new challenges.
What does your role involve day-to-day?
We have a large tech team at Envelop, made up of data scientists and engineers. Much of my work is project-focused, so my day-to-day varies depending on what I’m working on. It often involves analysing data, solving problems, and collaborating with others to find the best solution. Progress is rarely linear; some days bring quick wins, while others involve complex challenges that require investigation, discussion and experimentation.
What challenges have you faced working in tech, and how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge has definitely been imposter syndrome. It’s easy to compare yourself to people you admire, and many of my colleagues come from highly technical or scientific backgrounds. For a long time, I felt like I had a lot of catching up to do.
Over time, I’ve become more confident in my own abilities. A particularly helpful moment was an honest conversation with a manager, who reminded me that great teams are built on a mix of skills, experiences and perspectives. We all bring something different, and that’s exactly what makes a team stronger.
As I’ve gained experience, I’ve realised that expertise isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about being willing to ask questions, learn from others and keep developing your skills.
Was there a moment or opportunity that helped you break into the industry?
Early in my career, I automated much of my workload in a previous role. This freed up time to learn new skills and gain exposure to different areas of the business. It also made me realise that I was probably well suited to a more technical career.
Later, a manager in another role encouraged me to apply for an internal data position. At the time I was happy where I was and didn’t pursue it, but the suggestion stayed with me. About a year later, I realised I wanted to retrain and move into a more technical field.
Once I’d made that decision, I started looking for opportunities and found the perfect role at my current employer. Alongside working full-time, I studied part-time for a Master’s degree in Data Science. While it wasn’t essential for my role, it gave me confidence and exposure to areas of data science that I might not otherwise have encountered. Studying alongside working also reinforced something I’d gradually realised: there isn’t one route into tech. Many of the skills that helped me succeed came from current and previous roles and experiences rather than a traditional technical background.
What advice would you give to women who want to work in tech or innovation?
Don’t be put off by preconceived ideas about what it takes to work in tech. You don’t need to have followed a traditional route or studied a technical subject from the start. Anyone with curiosity, determination and a willingness to learn can succeed. I didn’t come from a traditional STEM background, and for a long time I assumed that might hold me back. In reality, curiosity, problem-solving and a willingness to learn have been far more important than following a specific route.
It’s also never too late to change careers. There are so many fantastic free and paid resources available to help you build new skills and explore different areas of tech.
What do you love about working in the South West tech ecosystem?
I love working in the South West tech ecosystem because it’s such a supportive community. It genuinely feels like people want each other to succeed. People are generous with their knowledge, approachable, and always willing to help.
There’s also a huge amount of passion and innovation across the region, which makes it an exciting community to be part of.
Connect with Beth!
Follow Beth’s journey and connect with her on LinkedIn here
