UCL x Chanel Women in Tech mentoring scheme: Tricia's experience

Third year Politics and International Relations student Tricia completed the UCL x Women in Tech mentoring scheme in the 2022-23 academic year. Read about her experience in the scheme.

Please share a brief introduction of yourself – what you study, and why you applied for the mentoring scheme, and your career goals.

I am Tricia Teo, a third-year undergraduate student preparing to graduate with a Politics and International Relations BSc at University College London. Among my classes was my Quantative Data module, which I found so interesting to learn how conducting comprehensive data analysis can clarify research methodologies and collection, leading me to a clear solution. Understanding how technology is integral to simplifying processes and arriving at clear answers, coupled with my personal interest in the business operations behind luxury houses like Chanel was what drove me to apply to this program.

As someone who remains unsure of what their next career steps will be, the UCL x Chanel Women in Tech mentoring program has been a unique learning opportunity. My mentor, Marcel Bolle, has been a source of encouragement throughout the program and has helped immensely with improving my confidence in professional settings. 

Can you give any examples of how the scheme helped develop your technological skills and knowledge?

For instance, when I asked Marcel if he could explain what ERP systems were, the conversation led to him showing me the SAP Concur software and app, which I did not know about previously. It was interesting to see the sheer number of interfaces that are integrated into Chanel’s ERP system, which made me appreciate the behind-the-scenes operations at luxury houses that go unseen, even if it determines the overall customer experience. Through this, I have developed my knowledge about technology in a financial setting, an employable skill that has helped me apply the fundamental knowledge I received at university to more industry-specific levels.

Did the UCL x Chanel Women in Tech mentoring scheme also help you develop soft skills?

Importantly, I realised that continuing to face my fears and keep trying to ask questions or take initiative led me to be self-motivated to produce results, no matter positive or negative. It is much more difficult to keep trying without making an effort to be confident in yourself to ask questions and believe in your mentor’s openness to help.

Practicing the skill of trying and asking questions, even within moments of anxiety or fear of failure has been difficult but immensely important to building my character and ability to establish myself in a professional setting.

By encouraging me to explore new career options and embracing the unknown future, Marcel has helped me practice being confident even when I am outside my comfort zone. 

 

Can you advise potential applicants about how you can develop a relationship with your mentor?

One important lesson for all potential mentees is to genuinely connect with your mentor! Marcel and I were able to bond through our common interests and beliefs, which we were only able to discover through making ‘lifeline’ PowerPoint presentations to introduce ourselves to each other at our first meeting. Doing this made me feel a lot less stiff during our meetings because it helped me see Marcel as a person with experience beyond his career and made our conversations so much more authentic. In fact, we did not structure and set objectives for our meetings.

Instead, we gave each other a general life and professional update at the start of every session and directed conversation from there, which helped me grow more comfortable when speaking to Marcel. Even just sharing what you have been up to during the time you haven’t seen your mentor can be helpful in understanding each other. Within this dynamic, meetings felt fluid yet productive because I was able to share my concerns and seek for Marcel’s advice at my own pace. 

Ultimately, developing a clear understanding of Marcel’s perspective towards his career and its pivots has inspired me to view professional life as a personal journey rather than a timeline of deadlines.

Secondly, don’t be afraid to ask your mentors about anything big or small. They have kindly volunteered their time to help you grow so it is important to be honest about what it is you’d like to discuss or develop. If I hadn’t discussed my trepidations surrounding my application to a tech apprenticeship, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to ask Marcel to look at my CV and Cover Letter. Even though it was nerve-wracking to ask, Marcel ended up spending so much time and sending me notes on ways to improve my CV. It is rare to find this level of advice and expertise, so being honest and sharing aspects of your life that aren’t necessarily related to the mentorship can be equally, if not more, fulfilling.

Do you have any final reflections of the UCL x Chanel Women in Tech mentoring scheme?

The events organised by Chanel have allowed us to connect with other young women across various disciplines, and opened my perspective to how the technology sector is not as intimidating as it sometimes comes across. It has become really important to me to befriend and stay in touch with my fellow mentees as a source of encouragement and motivation. The closing Chanel Tech x UCL event was proof of this, as I felt time slip away when I became completely engrossed in conversing with my peers and members of the Chanel Tech team.

To me, the friendships I have found and connections I have made have been the most meaningful take-away from this program, whether it is with my mentor, Chanel staff members or peers. 

It has been invaluable for me to see proof that women like me are equally deserving and valued in the male-dominated tech industry. This mentorship has instilled in me a value in encouraging other young women beyond this program to aim for things they may not think they are the perfect fit for. As I continue to learn how to embrace the unknown and find confidence despite my inexperience, I have realised how valuable it is to forge connections with others in the industry, especially among young girls like myself. Knowing that we are all on similar pathways whilst we learn how to be adults, embark on personal journeys and develop our own careers has been so reassuring and empowering, and I hope to continue uplifting the women in my life in a similar way. 

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If Tricia's experience has inspired you to take part in the UCL x Chanel Women in Tech mentoring scheme, check out more information about the scheme and find out how to apply.