As International Women’s Day approaches, highlighting the importance of females pursuing careers in every sector, an Athlone native is sharing her story of resilience, and why she believes sometimes the biggest barrier is self-doubt.
Jessica Hoey, a software development apprentice with Fastrack into Information Technology (FIT) and Zinkworks, did what many students do after her Leaving Certificate, she went straight to university to study Computer Science.
“I went the traditional route. I finished my Leaving Certificate and went on to university to study computer science. But when Covid hit, I dropped out and started to work full-time,” Jessica said.
Unsure if she would ever find her way back into tech but determined not to give up on her passion for the sector, Jessica completed a PLC course to rebuild her confidence and skills. It was there where she first heard about tech apprenticeships.
FIT is the national coordinator of Tech Apprenticeships in Ireland, with programmes in software development, cybersecurity, computer networking, and a new data analytics launching in 2026 (subject to QQI validation).
“I argued with myself about applying and wasn’t sure if I should do it, but I decided to just go for it and I was lucky enough to get a place,” she added.
That decision, she says, changed everything.
For Jessica, the appeal of FIT’s tech apprenticeship programme wasn’t just gaining another qualification, it was gaining experience.
“I already had some technical knowledge, but getting your foot in the door of a company is extremely hard. With the tech apprenticeship programme, I have two years of industry experience and that’s invaluable,” Jessica stated.
She believes the combination of work and study offers something unique.
“I’m learning things I would never learn in a classroom. I get to see how the industry works from the inside and I work alongside people who have years of experience. The advice and knowledge they share will stay with me throughout my career, she continued.
Tech apprentices earn a salary while they learn, gaining a nationally recognised qualification and valuable on-the-job experience with a company over two years.
As International Women’s Day shines a light on increasing female representation in technology, Jessica hopes her story resonates with other young women in Westmeath who may doubt whether they belong in the industry.
“If I hadn’t applied, I’d still be wondering ‘what if?’ Now, I’m building a career I’m genuinely excited about,” Jessica said.
Since completing her tech apprenticeship, Jessica is now a full-time junior software engineer with Zinkworks, a global leader in software innovation, located in the Shannon Retail Park Athlone.
Applications are currently open for FIT’s upcoming software development programmes taking place in Dublin this April, with further intakes scheduled for Dublin and Galway in October.
For those considering a future in technology, Jessica’s advice remains simple, “take the chance”.
To learn more or apply, visit FIT’s website at www.fit.ie or email them on info@fit.ie today.
