Sara Somerville is a Senior Systems Development Manager in IT Services at the University of Glasgow. She currently manages a team of software developers who create the magic behind our systems such as the UofG Life student app and the student portal. My career began with a Library degree but quickly morphed away from books and into technology. In my first post at WWF, I was asked to run training courses on how to use the internet (yes, I’m that old!) and when I moved to an architectural practice, I managed a project to digitise the image library. My love of technology was fully realised when I got my dream job at the University implementing a document management system.
What was your first career aspiration as a child?
I wanted to be an author and write books. As I grew older that changed and I aspired to be an investigative journalist who blew open corporate scandals or highlighted injustices!
What would you tell your teenage self?
Make sure you do what you love and it will work out in the end. Be true to yourself and don’t let people try and sway you from the path you choose, although there is rarely a direct path to get you to where you want to be. Never be afraid to try something new, if it doesn’t work out, don’t sweat it, try something else instead.
Who has been the biggest inspiration in your life?
My Granny forged herself a career at a time when that was frowned upon and taught herself to use the punch card machine at her job in a finance department. She was the kind of chic woman who had leather driving gloves and drove a nippy orange car that she’d bought for herself! The amazing women I work with also inspire me. In past years, they taught a young woman how to navigate male dominated workplaces. Now they help me remain strong, support me in my career choices and make me laugh.
What attracted you to a career in computing / tech?
Playing computer games with my sister at home and thinking, well how on earth does that work?! Later I realised that you could play a key role in delivering technical solutions without being the one writing the code. I’m passionate about delivering valuable and easy to use IT products that have been created in collaboration with our users, so it’s fantastic to have two student Graduate Apprentices in my team!
Anything else you would like to share?
I won a BAFTA for producing a short film with my friend.