Her Tech Journey: Iwalola Sobowale
Her Story, Her Impact
Welcome to the second issue of HerTechJourney! We’re excited to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary Iwalola Sobowale whose bold moves led to creating solutions that improve customers’ lives and finances.
Iwalola’s advice to all women in tech on their journey is to acknowledge your wins and celebrate them! For any Ls you’ve got, make a plan to get a W next time you try. Don’t beat yourself up too much, you’re doing amazing!
Hello, can you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to pursue a career in Tech?
Impact. I’ve always been impact-driven. In my childhood, I saw myself as a medical doctor who would make bold moves that would save and improve lives. Following in my father’s footsteps, I got my Bachelor’s degree in Law but soon saw that it wasn’t the right career path for me. I opened myself up to career opportunities (aka applied to a thousand and one roles) first in insurance, then a commercial bank. Once I saw how translating customer needs into business insights could lead to creating solutions that improve customers’ lives and finances, I was hooked! Now, through research, I help innovative companies make customer-centric decisions.
What was your first Tech-related job or project? How did it shape your journey?
My first tech-related role was at Fidelity Bank as a Customer Experience Researcher on their digital banking products. I always tell my mentees that taking a customer-facing role as my first role in tech has been one of my best decisions (although I didn’t know this at the time). It helped me develop a strong sense of empathy and intuition that’s critical for human-centered design.
What challenges have you faced as a Woman in Tech, and how did you overcome them?
Imposter syndrome - if I’ve not won a Nobel Peace Prize yet then have I really achieved anything? Lol! To counter this, I set personal goals and targets for myself rather than comparing myself to someone else or to some unattainable standard. Once I meet my goals then I’m good. One of these goals actually includes an annual learning plan - I never want to get out of touch with reality and I want to keep improving on my skills and bandwidth.
Anxiety - am I as good as my counterparts? To this, I’ve realized that no one knows everything, we’re all learning. As long as I’m doing my personal best then there’s no need for me to be anxious.
How do you stay updated with new trends and advancements in the Tech industry?
Exposure - I read a lot of newsletters and publications, follow a lot of tech and business people on Twitter, and attend webinars and conferences (online and in-person). And of course, podcasts - I get some of my best inspiration from listening to podcasts around tech and business.
How do you think Tech is impacting Nigeria, and what role do you see women playing in this transformation?
It’s speeding up development from our financial services sector to healthcare. Tech is making lives easier, better, and more comfortable, at scale.
Shebi they say women are the neck and without the neck you can’t move the head. Lol! Well, I see women leading the charge, pointing our figurative heads in the right direction.
Who or what has been the greatest influence in your career and why?
Not to sound too aspire to perspire, Odun Eweniyi has been a great inspiration - seeing a young lady pursue great ambitions makes me proud (like I’m the one doing the work lol)
My WIMBIZ mentor - Adeolu Adewumi-Zer, she’s so calm, cool, and collected - I love how she approaches problems and I strive to emulate her wisdom and composure.
My peers and a lot of the women in the HerSynergy community founded by Hilary Omitogun - there’s nothing better than seeing myself in other young, brilliant, and beautiful women who are doing amazing things.
My kids - I can’t fall their hand you know? lol
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the Tech world?
Be bold, be self-aware (but don’t second-guess yourself too much), and never think you’re not enough - you’re everything!
What would you say to a Woman in Tech who may be struggling with imposter syndrome or other obstacles in her tech career?
Girl, so because we’re not all Beyonce, does that mean we’re not valuable, beautiful, capable, hardworking, or brilliant? Of course not! Do a self-evaluation, and document all the hurdles you’ve overcome and the challenges you’ve faced head-on. Acknowledge your wins and celebrate them! For any Ls you’ve got, make a plan to get a W next time you try. Don’t beat yourself up too much, you’re doing amazing!
What’s next for you in your Tech career? Any exciting projects or goals you would like to share with us?
I’m presently working on a usability research project that’s going to become a book. I’ll be teaching a workshop at the upcoming World Usability Day event in November so be sure to grab a ticket if you’re interested in my session: Going Beyond the Survey: Creative User Research Methods. I also have some very exciting episodes coming up on my tech and business podcast, The Spotlight Podcast, very soon so be sure to keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. You can also catch up with our previous episodes on YouTube.
What’s your favorite life quote?
I honestly don’t think I have a specific one, but I try to live by certain principles - kindness, fairness, and positivity.