Since early 2018, Danske Bank Lithuania has been one of the Top Three Sponsors of the Women Go Tech initiative. Every year, our colleagues share their expertise with women seeking careers in the technology sector.
Women Go Tech is the first mentorship and counselling programme for women seeking careers in the technology sector in Lithuania. The programme, successfully launched in 2016, has already helped 126 women achieve their goals within tech. In order to provide guidance for mentees, help them discover professional potential, get acquainted with the technology industry and learn from their like-minded peers, the programme consists of 1:1 mentoring sessions with industry experts, content sessions and community building activities.
Our contribution is not limited to knowledge sharing
As one of the largest employers in the technology sector, we are committed to sharing our knowledge, contributing to the local community and addressing the issue of gender equality, not only in tech, but also in Lithuania's overall employment sector.
“The IT industry is very often associated with men. Just because of this stereotype, so many talented women do not see themselves in this field. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to encourage women to pursue their career in IT and bring in their perspectives. We can only succeed as a bank if our employees mirror the societies we are part of. Thus, by supporting Women Go Tech in increasing women’s representation in the tech industry, we are also contributing to our mission to become a more diverse and inclusive bank”, - says Ona Juodkiene, Danske Bank Group D&I Council member and IT Lead for the Risk tribe.
Success stories are also among our peers
Vytautas Aseris, Department manager for Wealth Management in Lithuania, who was also the initiator of the Danske Bank Lithuania partnership with the Women Go Tech initiative, says that the role of mentor in someone's career path is crucially important:
“I never had a doubt about sharing my experience with others through having my own mentor. I feel that we have good progress when your mentees return to you with questions, clearer answers for themselves and, of course, reach their career goal. To achieve this as a mentor, you need to be open, aware that you can not know everything yourself, and strive to guide people through every step of a technology career.”
Danske Bank Lithuania's colleagues share several of those stories of success. One of the former mentees that successfully completed the programme and changed her career path is Renata Gvozdovic, Analyst, Digital Reporting LT:
“I have always been curious about the tech industry and Data Analytics in particular. Therefore, after I completed different courses on the subject, I decided to deepen my knowledge and learn more if it's the path I want to choose. I needed some answers on the practical side of the job role, what daily routines and tools are used. Consequently, I took part in the Women Go Tech programme and was very fortunate to work with a mentor from Danske Bank. Not only did I learn new things and perspectives, I worked on real examples, but throughout my journey to the role of Analyst, I was also fully supported. I remember when my mentor said, "If that doesn't scare you, it means it's for you". It did not, but I worked hard on it and, fortunately, I returned from my maternity leave to a new position at Danske Bank.”
The fifth season of Women Go Tech is starting this month
Six of our colleagues this season, Vytautas Aseris, Zivile Vajegaite, Ona Juodkiene, Liudas Gulbinas, Donatas Jankantas and Karolina Griciune, are joining Women Go Tech as mentors of Danske Bank.
Karolina Griciune, Behavioral Modelling team manager, who is joining the programme as a mentor for the first time, comments:
“I think that by contributing to the Women Go Tech programme and addressing gender equality issues we are challenging ourselves and changing our organisation. We are also growing when helping others to grow, and that is what I am looking for as a mentor. Continuous work and full commitment are necessary for a successful career in tech. Therefore, I look forward to sharing my knowledge and helping mentees to build their way towards technology world.”
If you would like to apply for the programme and become one of this season's mentees, please visit www.womengotech.lt for more details (NB. applications will be accepted until December 21, 2020).
