Oracle Academy Tech Chat podcast episode 3 covers “How learning database skills helped prepare me for a tech career: The importance of data and continuous learning.” Hosted by Orlaith Lawton, Senior Marketing Manager, Oracle Academy EMEA, the podcast featured Ronja Hjulberg, Sales Executive for Oracle Cloud Platform and Oracle Academy Program Manager Finland, and distinguished guest Heli Helskyaho, Oracle Ace Director Finland. Heli is also CEO for Miracle Finland Oy, as well as author of several books. She is a frequent speaker at many conferences as well as a mentor.
In the podcast, Heli chats about her background and explains how she became a student interested in technology and the value of data. She talks about the fact that she initially did not intend to become an IT guru as she was particularly gifted at mathematics but became intrigued at the challenge of computer science and her desire to understand it.
She explains how initially it was a struggle for her until she found an explanation that made her better understand the subject, including the way data is structured in database structures. Heli stresses the value of data: “It has the answer to all the questions that you might have,” and the quality of that data and corresponding design of a database.
Heli feels it’s important to encourage people to believe in themselves and their strengths and continue to push oneself to constantly learn. She encourages students to think of having a career in IT no matter what their skillset is and their perception of IT. It is not just for those interested in programming or being a developer, but rather, there are multiple personas and skillsets required. IT needs students who not only can focus on the detail but also and especially those who can see the big picture. Her point: There are lots of welcoming positions in IT!
Heli chats about the importance of different and diverse voices in IT, including the female voice and all diverse voices from diverse backgrounds. Be brave and trust yourselves, don’t be shy to show your skills, she says. You know your strengths; let them shine!
To find out more, you can listen to this episode and other episodes of Oracle Academy Tech Chat on the platform of your choice.
If you are interested in sharing your Oracle Academy story on our podcast, or would like to suggest a topic, please reach out to oraclecademynorthamerica_us@oracle.com.