A career in IT: Manuela on her journey as a woman in tech

A career switch into IT? That was never part of Manuela’s plan, yet she found her place in the digital world. After studying apparel technology, a chance encounter led her to BE-terna. Today, as a Solution Consultant for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management, she helps fashion companies optimize their processes. In this interview, she shares her journey into the IT industry, the challenges she has faced as a woman in tech, and why courage is the key to success.

Can you tell us a bit about your career path and how you came to your current role at BE-terna?

After earning my degree in apparel technology, I decided to pursue a master’s at Reutlingen University. In my very first semester, my professor steered me toward digitalization, something I had never planned for myself. During my research semester on digitalization, I collaborated with a Swiss consulting agency and five partner companies for my master’s thesis. In 2019, I presented my thesis at Texprocess in Frankfurt, where, coincidentally, BE-terna had a neighboring booth.

After the event, I randomly googled "fashion digitalization" and rediscovered BE-terna. It was pure coincidence, nothing I had planned. Coming from an apparel engineering background, I had no idea what my chances were in the IT industry. But I took a leap of faith and sent in my resume. After two interviews, things moved quickly, I turned down other job offers and decided to embrace the challenge of working in IT.

Since I had experience as an SAP user and was familiar with fashion industry processes, I soon realized I could act as a bridge between our fashion clients and the BE-terna team. My manager at the time saw this as a major advantage. I spoke the language of our customers and intuitively understood their needs. I often became the “translator” within the team, especially in product data management (PDM), where I could grasp and communicate client requirements effortlessly.

What sparked your interest in the IT industry, and were there any particular experiences or people who encouraged you in your decision?

My professor played a crucial role in igniting my interest in IT. She actively pushed me in that direction. As an SAP user, I quickly noticed that many daily tasks were repetitive. No matter the engineering field, working with systems like SAP or Microsoft Dynamics is inevitable. It became clear to me that I didn’t just want to follow standardized processes, I wanted to understand and shape them.

Digitalization was a key theme throughout my master’s studies, particularly in the fashion industry, which is undergoing rapid digital transformation. From digital garment design to fully integrated digital processes, the industry has evolved tremendously. When I started my studies in 2013, we created technical drawings manually. Just a few years later, everything was done digitally.

This transformation fascinated me, so I decided to "dive in headfirst" and explore IT. It was the right decision IT continues to be dynamic and full of opportunities.

What specific challenges have you faced as a woman in the IT industry, and how did you overcome them?

As a woman in IT, I’ve encountered several challenges throughout my career. In the early days, when my experience was still limited, I was sometimes underestimated or not taken seriously. This made it even more important for me to prove myself especially to clients.

In such situations, I often had to respond with confidence and a bit of wit. At the same time, I could always count on my team and project managers for support. During a go-live, I experienced firsthand how important it is to remain professional, even in challenging moments. This experience strengthened my confidence and positively shaped my path in the IT industry.

What tips would you give to women who aspire to a career in IT to help them overcome potential obstacles?

My biggest piece of advice? Be bold and self-assured. Know your strengths and make them visible. Don’t shy away from standing up to biases and never accept being treated unfairly. There will be moments when you hear comments or remarks that a male colleague would never have to deal with. In those situations, it’s important to set boundaries and speak up. At the same time, learning to take some things with a smile and not let them get to you can help you navigate challenging environments with confidence.

Above all, don’t let anyone, your resume, other people’s opinions, or self-doubt convince you that you can’t achieve something. Many doubted me, and I was hired almost as an "experiment." But if you truly want something, you can make it happen.

When I applied to BE-terna, it was the only IT company I reached out to just to give it a try, without big expectations. I believe everyone should take more chances. Even if something doesn’t work out, you’ll have gained valuable experience. Sometimes, you just have to go for it and see where it leads.

How does BE-terna support women in IT, and what initiatives are in place to create an inclusive and supportive work environment?

At BE-terna, gender simply doesn’t matter internally, there is no distinction between men and women in the workplace. The atmosphere is inclusive and respectful, so no special initiatives are needed to support women in IT. My male colleagues treat me with full respect and support. I’d give them a "10 out of 10" for that.

I’ve never experienced discrimination within the company. Here, I’ve always been treated equally, and gender has never played a role. One advantage for me was working in Eastern Germany, where gender equality has been the norm for a long time. What matters most is the person, not whether they are a man or a woman.

At the locations I’ve worked at, I can fully rely on being valued for my expertise regardless of my gender.

BE-terna fosters a culture where teamwork and individual skills take priority over anything else.

How do you experience the company culture at BE-terna in terms of diversity and equal opportunities, especially for women in technical roles?

BE-terna’s culture is incredibly positive and inclusive when it comes to diversity and equal opportunities. This isn’t always the case in other companies or based on the experiences my friends and colleagues have shared. On a global level, BE-terna makes no distinctions based on gender or background.

I’ve never witnessed discrimination or exclusion here. Everyone embraces openness and acceptance, and if there are individuals who think otherwise, I’ve never come across them. BE-terna is, without a doubt, a leader in promoting and living diversity and equal opportunities.

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From fashion engineering to IT: How Manuela found her way to BE-terna