We Are PoWEr Podcast

Tech Careers Aren’t Just for Tech People

• powered by Simone Roche MBE and Northern PoWEr Women

Share episode

On this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, Sarah Lewis and Emma Cooper bring insight, honesty, and encouragement to a conversation about finding your place in technology. As leaders within MagTech, the technology team at Manchester Airports Group, they show that building the world’s most intelligent airports takes more than code – it takes communication, curiosity, and courage.

You’ll hear:
 ➡️ How transferable skills—from law to public service—can open doors in tech
 ➡️ The critical role of “translation” in connecting technology with business outcomes
 ➡️ How airports operate like cities, offering opportunities for project managers, designers, and problem-solvers of every kind
 ➡️ How inclusion, mentoring, and curiosity drive innovation
 ➡️ Why stepping outside your comfort zone—whether skydiving or tackling a new career challenge—can spark growth

This conversation is both practical and inspiring, offering advice for anyone looking to upskill, switch careers, or gain confidence in a changing world of work. Sarah and Emma’s stories show that technology is for everyone—and that courage and curiosity are just as important as coding.

Listen/Watch the full We Are PoWEr x Manchester Airports Group series via the links below ⬇️

Listen on audio platforms: 

Representation Matters: Ethnic Diversity and Visibility at Work

LGBTQ+ at Work: What Inclusion Really Means

Tech Careers Aren’t Just for Tech People

Leading for Everyone: Inclusion in Action

 Watch on YouTube: 

Representation Matters: Ethnic Diversity and Visibility at Work

LGBTQ+ at Work: What Inclusion Really Means

Tech Careers Aren’t Just for Tech People 

Leading for Everyone: Inclusion in Action

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

SPEAKER_02:

This episode is part of our mini podcast and webinar series in partnership with Manchester Airports Group, where we'll be exploring belonging, representation, and inclusion. Don't forget to check out the rest of the series for more real stories and practical insights.

unknown:

Never imitated, never replicated, singularly wonderful. Everybody's wonderful.

SPEAKER_02:

Well, hello and welcome to the podcast. I'm delighted to be joined by Sarah Lewis and Emma Cooper here on the sofa from Mag Tech. That sounds like a new startup brand, doesn't it? And it's not. It's an organization that sits within the Manchester Airports group, doesn't it? Are you talking around 500 people now? 500 people and growing, right? Yeah. And today we are here to talk about tech. And tech is not just about turning the computer on and off. And we had that conversation in our earlier chat, didn't we, Sarah? But it's how tech careers aren't just for tech people. So let us start off with in your very different roles, Emma. How would you describe Sarah and her role?

SPEAKER_03:

How would I describe Sarah? I would describe her as professional, uh approachab, approachable, um and calm. Yeah. Sarah. I'll take it. Even when you're resetting the computer.

SPEAKER_00:

How would I describe Emma? I would say she is persistent, has to be in the role that you do. Very kind and inclusive.

SPEAKER_02:

And what do you think, Sarah, is one of the misconceptions that you still hear about working in technology? Because often it can be, oh, it's drones and lab coats. Yeah. And definitely drones to airports now, I guess. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_00:

It's a thing. It is. And I think one of the biggest misconceptions is you actually need to be technical to take on the role. And yes, there are roles there that you need that technical expertise, but that's not just what you need in tech.

SPEAKER_02:

What about you, Emma? What would you say is the kind of the biggest misconception or myth busting that you've had to do and gone, no, that's definitely not me.

SPEAKER_03:

Well, as my family always laugh that they can't believe that I work in technology. Um, but mine isn't the a technical role in technology. Um, so you know, what people in their careers need to see today and and youngsters coming up is there's more opportunity, you know, it's about project delivery, project management, um, as well as the technical roles, as Sarah says, that are still needed today, but it's so diverse now because it is at the backbone of businesses.

SPEAKER_02:

So, what attracted you into this growing? Because it is a growing sector and and particularly as part of um the one of the largest employees in the country, right?

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, so quite a different journey for me. Um, you know, to the fact that I've ended up at Manchester Airport Group in Mag Technology, I never dreamt that I would be here. Kids are still laughing, right? Yeah, kids are still laughing and the husband. But yeah, um, I mean, two and a half years ago, I worked in in government, I've been in government for 25 years, in project delivery roles and and you know, um transformation projects, but coming to the airport and being in in mag technology and actually seeing the difference that um we're making and the changes that we're making, it's it's there, it's tangible. You can see what we're delivering to make a better customer experience.

SPEAKER_02:

And you don't see that coming in. We always talk about there being no one set trajectory. I always try and get that word in an all-sayer on, quite frankly, but I wouldn't try. No, what was I thinking? Um, but there isn't one straight path, is there? It everyone has different adventures. A barrister, you trained as a barrister, or you were a barrister.

SPEAKER_00:

I trained as a barrister, qualified as a barrister, um, and fell into project delivery um through that journey. So I joined what was known as it was legal aid board, um, working for government, and there was a huge reform programme that we took on, and I fancied giving it a go and seeing what delivery looked like, and never looked back since, and then has kind of continued that journey into technology.

SPEAKER_02:

And it's it's it's madness because you just talked about did you know each other? Obviously, I'm thinking the government's a small place to wear, right?

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, but we've talked about how it's remembered. There's probably we could have crossed over at any point, but we never did until we we were both at Manchester Airport Group.

SPEAKER_02:

And it is those transferable skills, isn't there? Yeah. You know, what what do you think are the key ones that you brought with you from sort of government? Um I didn't even want to lift the bonnet of that, but there's like another podcast. But what do you think are the key sort of skills that you you brought over with you?

SPEAKER_03:

I think for me it was what it was all about. I'd grown in the PPM profession, you know, again the qualifications and been part of some major transformation programmes in in government um and leading such huge teams as well. So I had 120 people at one point across across all of the country, you know, um, and that leadership, um, that's that's the transferable skills. And then the technical side and learning about the airport. Well, every day is still a learning day at the minute.

SPEAKER_02:

I got I uh um indeed. I mean, literally every day must be a school day because you're it's it's beyond a workplace or multiple workplaces with East Midlands, Stansted, you know, it's it's mammoth, but it's everything from a you've got fire brigade, yeah, you've got retail, you've got security, it's got everything that's into, isn't it? It is a city within a city, isn't it?

SPEAKER_03:

That's how you feel when you're coming into work, you feel you're going into a little city and it's part of your your your world, isn't it? It's just this um, yeah, it's it's just amazing.

SPEAKER_02:

And and I think it's brilliant because this podcast is part of our box set series with Manchester Airports group, and every week I'm talking to different people. I feel like it's just for me to be honest, because it hasn't I we we spoke earlier, it's always been a dream job of me. And yes, I'm 100% gonna come and job shadow one day. It'll be amazing. Um, but it because it is so you can imagine no day is the same, right?

SPEAKER_00:

No, look at that face more. You don't know what you're looking into.

SPEAKER_02:

Um and what is the thing every day that goes, oh my gosh, I I I can't believe because we're also in a changing world. Yeah. Is that what kind of keeps you glued into this tech mag tech role?

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, I mean, it's it's really exciting the rate of growth that we're we are we're building within MagTech and what we're trying to achieve. We're on a we're on a journey to be the world's most intelligent airport. So, what does that bring with it? And a lot of that is underpinned by the technology we're bringing into the team and to the airport, to the operation. Um, so it's a really exciting time to see what cut-and-edge technology we can do for aviation.

SPEAKER_02:

And and equally, you need the right people, yeah. And you know, like at the start, you you are sort of probably when you were starting off, your younger Sarah and Emma maybe wouldn't have thought you were working in a tech role, right? So there'll be people out there listening or watching thinking, I'm not techie. I can't go and work in tech because I don't have the skills. What would what advice would you say to anyone out there that is thinking tech's not for me?

SPEAKER_03:

I think it's I think it comes back to you know the the roles that Sarah and I have in the in the program delivery profession. You know, that that's so broad and can be across so many, you know, different sectors. And coming to do it at the airport is is so exciting. Um and you don't need to have that technical expertise. But interestingly, I was talking to someone the other day about you know just teaching people more about what is available to them. Um, we don't get that in schools and in the curriculum today. It's like, how do we how do we broaden you know people's sort of um awareness of what they could do and what is available?

SPEAKER_02:

It is, and I know you as an airport group are very active, um, as a whole group are active out in schools and colleges, but it is challenging because uh it's trying to get that information through because career's guidance is limited out there and the schools are under resourced. So conversations like this are brilliant. Conversations as part of this series, I'm really plugging our other series, but they're really great because the conversations I'm having are brilliant. But these are the opportunities, aren't they? It's it's looking at what other people are doing because otherwise, how on earth do you know what you want to do when you grow up? When you grow up. What do you want to want to be when you grow up, Sarah? Still trying to figure that out.

SPEAKER_01:

I've no idea. Because it's gonna change, isn't it?

SPEAKER_02:

Technology is changing. Um rapidly. From when you joined the business, you will have seen you're on a growth. I'm gonna say trajectory again because I'm gonna get it right before the end of the pod right. But it is on a a growth spurt, so there's got to be big opportunities out there for talent in the area, right?

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, yeah, definitely. Yeah, that it's just a world of opportunity for people, but it it's it's like you say, it's building that awareness and showing the different roles that there are in tech for people.

SPEAKER_02:

And and even if it's not people at the start of their career, people who are going through and thinking, oh, I'm stagnating a bit now, or I need a another adventure, or you know, um, it's the transferable skills, isn't it? Now, I you know, I I can reboot a computer and I can use Canva really well, but you know, how how do you identify as being tech you? Because you have every role, don't you, within Mag Tech? It's got everything in there. So you've got, you know, you can work in the business development, in the project development, it's all in there, isn't it? So I feel like I'm recruiter now. I told you, I want to work there. I want to work it. You've sold it. But is what's the biggest transfer? What's the sorry, the the transferable skill that you use that has surprised you most that think, oh never thought I'd I'd uh I'd bring that into play sort of from your previous experiences. Keeping secrets, I'm obsessed with the government thing as well, aren't I?

SPEAKER_00:

It's a little bit on the mediation, if I use that word correctly, because you're you're in you're in a role where you've got a lot of engagement to do across the business, across the teams, across those who are far more techie and you know, we use language that you've no idea what they're talking about. But a lot of what me and my team do is to help shape that, bring the business in and and translate that across so people understand what we're trying to do and what we're trying to achieve.

SPEAKER_02:

And you talk about like um we talk about growth mindset and continuous learning. You're doing that every day. How do you keep ahead of that? Because sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming with acronyms and um and so both within the airport group, but also wider in technology is you know, the world is AI, chat GPT, everything else that goes with it. Um of a certain age, they're probably the only two things I know, but you know. Um what surprises you most about this industry? What have you learned most that you thought, oh, look at me, I know that. Canva.

SPEAKER_03:

I think it's when you know the acronyms in the airport, you think, oh, I've made it, I actually know what people are talking about, but there's so many. We'll do an acronym bingo later. It's nice to me. But yeah, it's um it is it and it is because it's growing so fast, keeping up is is hard. And um, you know, as Sarah's talking about before, we're trying to deliver so much change to become the world's most intelligent airports, and um that's that's you know, dealing with that day to day and the amount we're trying to deliver and keeping up is it's it's not easy.

SPEAKER_02:

And keeping planes in the air and customers happy as well, right? But what um so someone out there is listening or watching or thinking, you know what, I I fancy that uh or I fancy sort of lifting the bonnet on what tech might look like. Are there any sort of resources or guidance that you've had along the way or you've shared internally or or people have used to get in into um magtech, for example? Anything out there that you say, go have a look at that. Try before you buy.

SPEAKER_03:

So just yeah, and I I think that um for me would come down to the work experience opportunities that we offer at the airport. I mean, what a great way for people to come in if they're doing their A levels or you know, graduates come in, etc. Just come in and see it for yourselves and try it. Um I mean I've got three apprentices work work for me at the moment, and they came in at 18, they're 20 now, and just seeing them grow in the environment is just amazing. But they're seeing the different opportunities that there are, you've got to physically see it.

SPEAKER_02:

And are you finding your learning from that emerging talent next gen as well? Because you've got next new generation coming in that are going to come with their own, having used tablets and phones probably since the age of goodness knows, whatever, there must be some learn that you're gaining as well. Reverse mentoring, yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

It's massive absolutely, yeah, in terms of what they already know about tech and the world that's out there. I've got my son telling me things that I can do on his phone and he's 14. Yeah. Um so yeah, we're absolutely learning from the the next generation.

SPEAKER_02:

And I think that's really key, that knowledge exchange, isn't it? And that that and I know mentoring is something that you're both really keen on. And you know, sort of it's the giving and gaining side, isn't it? I think you gain. Um, and it does, I think it runs through a lot. Who were the who have been your sort of guiding lights, if you like, have you gone away? And what's the best advice sort of they've given you on this tech adventure?

SPEAKER_00:

For me, it was put yourself out there, never say no to an opportunity. That's why I'm on this couch. Still living and breathing it today. Um, but that was the biggest thing for me is as a journey as I went on from leaving um public service where I was a civil servant, I went out contracting, I was a contractor for 10 years and really taking that jump. It was always about putting yourself out there into the next thing, into the next industry. Um, and and that is how I ended up working at MAG nearly three years ago, is into another new industry being the aviation world and kind of going, what's this all about? And here I am, still here.

SPEAKER_02:

And it what has surprised you most about the industry? Because obviously the aeroplanes is front and centre. Yeah, security is probably another one, isn't it? Um the people, what is the thing that stood out of that? You go, gosh, I didn't know that happened.

SPEAKER_00:

Just how much yeah, it's how much is involved in just keeping the operation running. There's so many different wheels, cogs, people, um, teams, everything that makes from walking through the front door to leaving that on that aircraft, there's effort along the way.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, it's just fascinating the amount that goes into it. I mean, I I become a bit of a an aviation geek since joining the airport and I didn't know what was, but you you are you're just fascinated by it. So, you know, the opportunities you get to go and see, you know, um Sarah mentioned before about going up the air traffic control tower. I mean, that was just a highlight of my last two years. But I don't even, you know, going around the baggage system is just still as fascinating.

SPEAKER_02:

Did you did you jump on the carousel?

SPEAKER_03:

Did you have a little go? You did, didn't you? I took pictures of two cases. But no, it's just fascinating to see and all and when you're like looking out the office window and you see the planes take off, it's all to get those planes in the sky. That's our day-to-day job.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. And in a global changing world, transformation is key. What's the proudest moment you've had so far working across digital transmate transformation in this uh amazing environment?

SPEAKER_03:

That's a good question. Yeah. So at MAG, the highlight for me I think is just it's it's because it gave me such a different opportunity from being in government for 25 years. I'm still, you know, it it still makes me think today, oh, I can't believe I'm here, I can't believe it's just over two years. And the opportunities I've had to do different things, like Sarah just said, the fact that I'm sat on this couch today, you know, all those different opportunities in the private sector that I didn't have in the public sector. Um and Mag's given me those and it's just been an amazing journey so far.

SPEAKER_02:

And what part does inclusion have uh to play in shaping that digital change as well? Because it's it's we talked about the acronym and the languages, but you've you know, this is a an environment that's been around for an awful long time and uh you want to make change. Not ever it it's hard sometimes to make change happen. So it's how what what uh how can inclusion really kind of um boost that, I suppose? Is it around language, is it around communication, leadership?

SPEAKER_00:

All of the things it's all of that, it's all of it, and it's creating creating the space, it's giving people the space, it's being honest and open and as transparent as you can be. Um to try and bring people along the journey with you to create that inclusive environment and make them feel heard, make them feel that they're inputting into that journey.

SPEAKER_02:

And what is to make sort of um technology more inclusive? You know, um we we talk and focus a lot around neurodiversity and neurodivergent mindsets. Is there anything around that you would say I'd really like to change that to make it more diverse for the future? To make it how do we make tech more inclusive for all so you get the best if you like workforce in the most diverse workforce and underrepresented groups, etc.?

SPEAKER_03:

I think again it just comes to um taking people on that journey. Uh and you know, I think some peop people, especially maybe people my age when we say like, you know, the kids laugh about me not knowing tech, it's about ensuring that people do, you know, they're not afraid of tech, and then that we can take them on that journey and you know, really show them what it can do for the future um and how it will enhance you know different roles and change things, yes. And like we say, taking to people on that journey to show them what it would mean for them.

SPEAKER_02:

And I mean you talk about challenging yourself every year to raise money for charity. I do, yes. What's your highlights? What's your most favourite and scary thing you've ever done? Oh gosh.

SPEAKER_03:

Um so I've done quite a few things. Uh but I think uh running a marathon, I would say, was a highlight, but not the best thing I've ever done. Probably the worst and loneliest thing I've ever done. But uh the National Three Peaks was definitely in 24 hours. It was definitely the most challenging thing, but the most rewarding as well. Um definitely a highlight. And what about you, Sarah?

SPEAKER_00:

One of the most scariest things I've done is jump out of a plane and working in. Yeah, and not at work, right?

SPEAKER_02:

Not at work, just want to clarify that.

SPEAKER_00:

Absolutely not. We um decided my brother, um, he turned 21 about 18 years ago, and decided he wanted to take the opportunity to do a skydive. And um, my mum thought it's a great idea that the whole family did it. So we did a family skydive. It's about eight of us jumping out of a plane. Um, yeah, but I again to make me do that, I was doing it for charity, absolutely. Yeah. So at least I know I'm going. Um, but yeah, so 14 and a half thousand feet, off we went and uh and dove to the bottom.

SPEAKER_02:

Would you do it again?

SPEAKER_00:

Um I'm believed my father wants to do it for his next big birthday next year, and I just got asked at the weekend, would I do it again?

SPEAKER_02:

Oh, and what is your answer?

SPEAKER_00:

Officially here, exclusive here. I I told my my brother, it's like, I'll think about that. Yeah, I'm a lot older now.

SPEAKER_02:

And I know you both we talked about mentoring. What are your do you have any side hustles? Because it's, you know, you've got these great roles, an amazing organization, but what what is it the what do you do? We never have enough time, do we, in the world. But what what what do you have a side hustle or your side hobbies other than three peaks and marathons?

SPEAKER_03:

Well, I'm definitely into like the the exercise and you know, just um that sort of motivates me. And I think the challenges, the reason I do those challenges is because it motivates me personally, but it helps me in work grow in confidence and it takes it back, doesn't it? It's the learning because sometimes you think, gosh, well, if can if I can do a marathon. Yeah. I that's what I think. And I think some of the scary things you face at work sometimes, and you know, I just think, well, I've done this, I can I can do that. Um so yeah, but I don't have a side hustle. My my just outside of work, I love cooking. Um what's your dish of choice? Uh oh a Sunday roast. Yeah, gotta do a Sunday roast. And I do a gravy separate or on the side? Oh, that's the same question, isn't it? So I lay everything out in the middle of the table. Cover everybody helps themselves. 100%. Yeah. It's all it's all good. It's all good. If I didn't work at Manchester Airport, I would own my own cafe. That's fine. I'd cater in. I should have gone into catering.

SPEAKER_02:

Do you know what? I'm sure, I'm sure there's space in the new terminal. There'll be space in the terminal for sure. It's okay. Speak to Nick, you'll speak to Chris. Ah, but you could do delivery orders or other brands that are available. Sarah, what about you, side hussles? Because I know you're you're a a queen of uh Canva.

SPEAKER_00:

Oh, yeah, so I do that. I do support our PA uh at school for the kids. So we've got a 14-year-old and a seven-year-old, so side hussles probably running around. Mum's time to do that for the kids, yeah. But yeah, we use Canva a lot to help with the PAs, the fundraising for the school. Um probably not got a lot of other time other apart from running. We we we exchange our running stories, don't we?

SPEAKER_03:

We do, and Sarah's never joined me yet for a 6am run around the airport.

SPEAKER_02:

But it's going to. Yes. And maybe they can be at the sky down if we don't know. Now I'm gonna ask you to delve into the power jar. So the power jar is our jar of fun, our jar of questions that have been left by our previous guests. Who's gonna who's gonna claim it? Who's got the slungest arms? Because it's quite a long way on the table, actually. No one's ever shaken it before. It's a first amount. There you go, look at that. Trail blazing, blazing a trail.

SPEAKER_00:

Trail blazing.

SPEAKER_01:

I hope it's a good one.

SPEAKER_03:

I know, yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

You're stuck on an island and can only bring three things, what would they be? Oh, oh gosh.

SPEAKER_02:

Aeroplane? No? Yeah, too easy, right?

SPEAKER_03:

Like comfort things or any three things. Because you should go practical, shouldn't you?

SPEAKER_02:

But oh yeah, stock you for your roasting.

SPEAKER_00:

Mine would be my mascara. Can't go anywhere without my mascara. Um a book.

SPEAKER_02:

What book would it be? Well, you're thinking your third one.

SPEAKER_01:

Oh, that's thrown it in. I know, but I'm giving you time. I think another one. You can film that's a third one. Something for a cocktail. You've got to have a cocktail on an island, haven't you? Cocktails, roast dinners!

SPEAKER_03:

But no running for me at this moment. So I do uh I do a bit of wild camping. So apart from the wild camping. So you're definitely gonna layer back in. You're definitely gonna take your wine. Even have a carrier up the mountain. Um it's easier coming back down there, right? It's easier coming and I've drunk it, yeah. And then some firewood, um, and yeah, my sleeping bag. But you went really practical. Oh, yeah, yeah. Because we're good together.

SPEAKER_02:

And final question: what would you say is your superpower? Oh mean, isn't it to throw in even you've just had the power jar and everything?

SPEAKER_00:

Getting things done.

SPEAKER_02:

Cracking on. Transformation for no reason.

SPEAKER_03:

No, exactly. Emma, what about you? Um, yeah, pretty similar. I think um, I think I'm resilient, and I think if I set my mind on things, uh, I'm 100% in and I'm gonna do it. Amazing.

SPEAKER_02:

Thank you, Emma and Sarah, for joining us. And thank you for bringing the world of magtech uh onto our pod as well. Because when when technology is inclusive, everyone can be part of that, can't they? Yeah, you know, um, and everyone is welcome. So please do uh get involved, do get in touch, uh, and you'd be available to open questions connect on LinkedIn, potentially. Because if you want to know, because sometimes it's just knowing what's behind the curtain, it's a fascinating environment, and to know that there's a whole organisation there at MagTech as well. So thank you for lifting the exciting veil on that and look forward to following uh the progress. And thank you so much for joining us. And I'll be round for roast dinner and cocktail. Yeah, not a problem. Thank you. Thank you so much for joining us. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple, Amazon Music, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave us a review or follow us on socials. We are power underscore net on Insta, TikTok, and Twitter. We are power on LinkedIn, Facebook, and we are underscore power on YouTube.

Head Shot

Simone Roche MBE

Host