April MacPherson, an IT Operations Associate at Accenture, has shared her story, encouraging anyone to also defy their own expectations and start a career in the digital industry.
A career change from pharmacy into the digital industry was undoubtedly a challenge, but for April, her determination to adapt and passion to learn opened unexpected doors into a new, rewarding career.
‘I want to share my unlikely story of how a middle-aged woman, with zero prior knowledge, no experience, and absolutely no idea about technology, then found myself working in one of the largest tech organisations in the world!’ April shared.
April, a proud Bindal/Wulgurukaba woman, last year took a leap into the tech world when she completed Accenture’s Indigenous Technology Cadetship.
She was one of 20 cadets selected from more than 150 applicants across Australia to take part in the 12-week cadetship, supported by 18fifty3 Training.
‘I’m a quick learner, I can adapt, and IT is an ongoing way of life, so why not be a part of the ever evolving of technology space in a career to be proud of,’ she shared.
‘My fellow cadets, teachers, and Accenture staff were incredibly supportive, their encouragement kept me going, and with their help, I passed all my assessments. Turns out, sometimes the best code is persistence!’
April shared that despite some early challenges, like learning Python and Java coding, completing her cadetship allowed her to gain new skills that has set her up for a successful start in a digital career at Accenture.
‘Accenture offers ongoing learning, so every day in my Associate role I can learn something new at my own pace,’ April says.
April reflected that if Accenture had stuck to hiring only university graduates, she might not be in her current position.
‘Not everyone can afford university, and for many, especially in our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, the prospect of lifelong debt can be daunting.’
‘Opening doors to those without degrees brings in people with unique skills and blank canvases from all walks of life.’
‘It’s about welcoming every kind of learner – from a coding whiz to a person still googling ‘how to turn on the computer?’.
‘By hiring beyond the traditional mould, it creates opportunities for people who bring fresh perspectives, resilience, and skills drawn from many fields.’
‘I’ve discovered something wonderful, that many colleagues at Accenture are people like me, who didn’t start with a tech background or a university degree, and are valued team members.
‘Remember, no degree, no worries – as every journey starts somewhere, and sometimes it’s the unexpected ones that teach us the most.’
Accenture, a NSW Digital Skills and Workforce Compact Partner committed to the 20% Alternative Pathways Pledge, that 20% of all digital entry-level hires will come from non-traditional pathways by 2030.