Day in the life of a Software Consultant

Tell me a little bit about your education background before you got into software consultancy.

I went to Manchester School of Art to study art history and curating, which I enjoyed from sixth form. I’ve always been really into art and learning about it, so I just followed that passion. When I left, I wasn’t sure whether to continue into further education. I loved the university environment, but I wasn’t certain about my next step and felt a lot of pressure after graduating. I think I had a false idea of what leaving university and getting into a job would be like. So, I decided to do something I enjoyed short-term to take the pressure off.

Which was...

Barista work. After a few years in hospitality, including during the pandemic, I stayed in that field and moved into a managerial role. But it became stagnant. There was no progression, and I wasn’t feeling challenged. I realised I needed to find a career path with longevity; something that allowed me to keep learning and growing while providing better work-life balance. Hospitality was stressful, and the rewards didn’t feel worth it. The pay wasn’t great, and I wasn’t enjoying it.

So what made you decide to switch to a career in tech? Did you already have an interest in the tech industry?

A little bit. It was always something I found interesting. My brother got into tech and encouraged me to do the same. It seemed to tick all the boxes for what I wanted. Once I started learning, it reaffirmed that decision because I found the work challenging but satisfying. It reminded me of school, doing maths, and getting that same feeling of satisfaction when you solve a problem.

So you’re a Salesforce Consultant, and I don’t really know what that entails at all. Can you tell us a bit more about that and what an average day looks like?

Sure. Salesforce is a CRM, or customer relationship management software. We mainly work with non-profits. It’s the backend of what their users rely on day-to-day and spans many areas of their business. For example, they can use it for marketing, tracking and reporting on revenue, and integrating different software like text messaging or accounting tools. Essentially, it’s a central hub where companies keep details about their customers, campaigns, and more.

When we work with companies, they’ve usually already implemented Salesforce but need it configured to work best for their needs. That means adapting it to suit their business, integrating old systems, and making sure they can use it effectively.

An average day for me starts with going to the gym in the morning. I work remotely, so I aim for a 9-to-5 schedule, though the work is flexible. I like that flexibility as it helps me balance life better. Some days I might spend hours on a complex data migration, like cleaning data in Excel to ensure it works properly in Salesforce. Other times, I’m focused on tasks like creating automations to streamline processes, configuring the software, ensuring security, or providing user support. For example, I support a client in the Cayman Islands, so I’m available in the afternoon for their users if they need help.

What might you have for breakfast?

If I’ve been to the gym, I might have a protein shake. Otherwise, yoghurt with seeds and berries is a go-to.

Do you think you’ve faced any challenges as a woman in tech or when changing careers?

This one’s hard because it’s hard to say if challenges come down to being a woman or just changing careers in general. Getting your foot in the door when switching careers is tough. I do wonder if women are taken as seriously, even when we’ve done the learning and have soft skills to back us up but lack industry experience.

Tech is definitely male-dominated, so that’s something I’ve thought about. I’m fortunate to have had a good education, but even then, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options and decisions. That can feel paralysing, especially when you don’t have a clear path.

What advice would you give to people balancing studies with a full-time job or childcare?

Consistency is key. Even if you can only manage 10 minutes a day, that’s still 10 minutes closer to your goal. Balancing a job while retraining is really tiring; it’s a big mental and emotional load. So, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Break tasks into small chunks and focus on doing a little bit each day. It’s daunting, but you’ll get there if you keep chipping away at it.

What advice would you give to a woman looking for a job in tech or changing industries?

Don’t be put off by tech being a male-dominated field. It can feel intimidating, especially when you’re changing careers and see others with lots of experience. But soft skills are incredibly valuable, particularly in roles like consultancy. You can learn hard skills relatively easily, but communication, listening, and stakeholder management take time to develop—and they’re essential.

Highlight those skills on your CV and in cover letters. Employers often value initiative and adaptability over technical expertise because the latter can be taught.

What do you think are the main trends to look out for in the tech industry?

AI is everywhere, but there’s growing concern about its negative environmental impact. The UK government has started funding green AI initiatives, so I think sustainability will become more of a priority in tech. It’s exciting to see that shift, and I hope it continues to grow in importance.

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