In celebration of International Women's Day 26, Digital Her is shining a spotlight on the incredible women shaping the future of tech - and the next generation following in their footsteps. To kick the week off, we’re sharing Retal’s firsthand account of her work experience at AJ Bell, facilitated through our Digital Her initiative.
From stepping into a real software development team to applying her GCSE Computer Science skills on live projects, Retal’s week-long placement offered a unique insight into life in tech.
Retal:
As a Year 10 student, my week at AJ Bell was both inspiring and highly valuable, providing me with genuine insight into the professional world.
This opportunity was made possible through Manchester Digital as part of the Digital Her initiative, whose mission is to inspire and encourage more girls to pursue careers in the technology sector. As someone who is interested in this field, I feel extremely grateful to have been given the chance to gain real-world experience in an industry I hope to pursue in the future.
I recently had the opportunity to complete my work experience placement at AJ Bell, and it exceeded all of my expectations.
Before starting, I felt both excited and nervous - eager to experience a real working environment, yet uncertain about the responsibilities I might face. However, once I arrived, these concerns quickly disappeared as I settled into the workplace.
From the very first day, I was welcomed warmly and treated with professionalism. Everyone at AJ Bell was supportive, approachable, and willing to guide me throughout the week, which made the experience even more enjoyable and helped me feel comfortable in an unfamiliar environment.
During my placement, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of tasks, including programming and website design. This hands-on experience allowed me to deepen my understanding of a field I hope to pursue in the future and to observe how projects are developed within a real business setting.
One of the main challenges I faced was stepping outside my comfort zone, particularly when speaking to new people or asking questions. However, as the week progressed, I began to feel like part of the team, and my confidence grew significantly. This experience taught me that confidence develops through practice and real-world exposure.
One of the most valuable aspects of my placement was applying the theory I have learned in GCSE Computer Science to real-life situations. I was surprised to see how closely the skills I used during the week related to what I am currently studying at school. This reassured me that I am on the right path toward my future career.
Overall, my time at AJ Bell was both educational and inspiring. It has motivated me to continue working hard and developing my skills for the future. I am extremely grateful to everyone at Ajbell, as well as Manchester Digital and the Digital Her initiative, for making this such a memorable and rewarding experience.
Paula Wharrier, Senior In-House Recruitment Manager, AJ Bell:
It’s incredibly important for AJ Bell to offer tangible, real-world experience to students considering a career in technology. Giving someone genuine insight into what a software development role looks like day-to-day helps bring the career to life in a way that no classroom ever could. We’ve worked alongside Manchester Digital for around eight years and personally, as a strong advocate for increasing female representation in tech, I’ve proudly supported their Digital Her initiative. Being able to create opportunities like this, helping more young women see themselves in tech careers, is something both I personally, and all of us at AJ Bell, are truly passionate about.
Retal’s week with us was a fantastic example of why meaningful work experience matters. Seeing her grow in confidence, apply her GCSE Computer Science knowledge to real projects, and immerse herself in the day-to-day reality of a software development team was incredibly rewarding for the whole team.
