This blog is part of our on-going Women in Technology series.
Dina Hetherington is a Project Manager for Consilio based in the UK. Dina has been with Consilio for just over a year. She was admitted to the California bar in 1999 and entered the field of eDiscovery in 2004. Dina earned her Bachelor of Science in Philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin, her JD from California Western School of Law, and her Master of Laws from the University of San Diego, School of Law. Currently, Dina is on the Roll of Solicitors of England and Wales as well as Northern Ireland.
How did you get into this industry?
I believe I pretty much fell into it back in 2004. In the early 2000s, I moved from San Diego to Washington, DC, and ended up doing document review work, and it just kind of stuck. I went from a document reviewer to a team lead to project manager, and here I am today.
What pivotal moments helped get you to where you are today?
When I think of pivotal moments in my career, I think of the big moves I have made. I went from San Diego to DC, which got me into discovery, then from DC to Bombay. I think that Bombay was my first real role as a project manager. This transition solidified my move into the discovery industry. I later moved to the UK after I met my husband in Bombay.
Another pivotal moment was getting admitted to the roll of solicitors for England and Wales. I had to take this three-part exam, which was very difficult.
Have you ever noticed a time in your career when your gender was an apparent obstacle?
I noticed my gender to be more of an obstacle in certain regions of the world. This was pretty difficult for me. I had a senior-level position, and I really had to put in extra effort to make myself heard and get things done. I needed to prove that I had the experience and knew what I was talking about to be taken seriously. Eventually, through building trust, it became easier to get things done.
What is your advice for women working in these predominately male settings?
I would say to go after what you want and to follow your gut. Confidence and knowledge will get you to where you are going. Don’t let anyone else make you think that you are not capable of something simply because you are a woman.
What do you think companies could do to motivate more women to pursue careers in technology?
Two things – first, show a realistic, clear path of progression as a company. Show that there is long-term work being done to be more inclusive and not just a trend. Two, offer more educational and developmental opportunities for women that are interested in going down that path.
When you are not working, how do you spend your free time?
In my free time, I like to read and cook, so I try to find new recipes here and there. I also enjoy watching TV, because it is a good way to turn off and not think about anything else. However, at the moment I am spending a lot of time with my dog and my new baby!