In conversation with Director of Corporate Development Sarah Mason

In the run up to International Women’s Day 2021, we spoke to Sarah Mason, director of corporate development with Mason Technology, on her role, her thoughts on International Women’s Day, and her advice to anyone embarking on their career.

What is your current role?

I am director of corporate development within Mason Technology

What does your role entail?

My role covers many aspects but in principle it is to ensure the internal business resources are aligned to the long-term business strategy for the success and sustainability of the company.

What does International Woman’s Day mean to you?

It is a day to reflect / take stock of the achievements of women not only in the workplace but socially, culturally & politically and acknowledge there is further ground to cover.

I am lucky to have grown up in a close family during an era when women were not subjected to the discrimination akin to my mother or grand mothers’ generations, but I acknowledge the effort & fight that has taken place to afford me that ‘luxury’.

How have you found being a woman in the workplace?

It has been challenging especially in the early days of my career.  I come from a family of three strong girls with a strong female figure empowering us to always know that we can do anything we set our minds to, we don’t need to seek approval or permission, so I may have been a little naive at first thinking the rest of the world was on the same wavelength.

What are the current challenges for women in the workplace? 

A current challenge for me as a woman in the workplace is the work life balance between my career and my children.  It’s not a challenge that is imposed on women but from experience it’s a challenge that can naturally occur for women no matter what their position or circumstances.  Employers have adapted massively over the years and afford greater flexibility & support to families but no matter what your circumstances it’s a challenge to devote time and energy equally to your career and children simultaneously.

What advice would you give someone starting out on their career?

The world is your oyster, don’t wait to be invited, go, make the opportunities, and seize them for yourself, you only live once!!

Which women are you inspired by in your local community, workplace or globally?

Gosh, where do I start!

Sport in Ireland has seen a change over the last number of years, the success of the 20×20 Campaign ‘If she can’t see it, she can’t be it’ creating a movement to culturally shift our perception of girls and women in sport has been inspiring.  The success of many female athletes and teams such as Katie Taylor and the Irish women’s hockey team has been inspirational.

Globally, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a female figure whom I have always followed and admired from afar.

What can men do to play their part for women’s equality?  

I don’t think a specific ‘part’ needs to be played, I see it as a cultural evolution that is gaining ground every day.  This can be accelerated by changing mindsets and setting an example for others, especially younger generations, that equality is a topic that is not going away. Everyone must play a part in educating peers and the next generation by demonstrating that equality is not something that needs to be pinpointed or singled out, it’s just part of normal life, I look forward to that day.

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