July 27, 2016

Level 39 All Access Tour; Step into STEM

Last Wednesday we took 18 girls enrolled in our Step Into STEM programme to Level 39, Europe’s largest technology accelerator space for finance, cyber-security, retail and smart-city technology companies. We had the privilege of being shown around by Adizah Tejani, and had an informative and inspirational Q&A session with her afterwards.

Our girls recounted their experiences:

Esther:

“With the constant evolution of technology, it is becoming more integrated into other industries in order to increase its efficiency. The financial industry is no different. Financial Technology, more often known as ‘fintech,’ is a relatively newer movement which sees financial services utilise on technology to improve existing systems or even completely innovate to create newer ones. With Canary Wharf being one of Europe’s financial hubs it’s only befitting that this is a focus for fintech firms.

On Wednesday 20th July, I was able to visit Level 39 at Canary Wharf which is an accelerator which incorporates firms which specialise in fintech as well as amongst other areas such as retail, cyber-security and future As a person who is highly interested in the financial sector with aspirations to join it, I was honoured to be hosted there by the inspiring Adizah Tejani as part of Girls Talk London’s Step into STEM programme.

The beautiful scenery from the windows of the 39th floor was only a glimpse of what Adizah had in store for us. We were fortunate enough to have a tour of the building with the highlights being ‘scary mary’ which was what looked like a painting but was actually a screen which used kinect technology which caused her eyes to move – which I did find quite creepy initially but none the less fascinating. The fascination did not end there. As we were taken to the pantry, we were even more interested by an iPad which you could use to create hot drinks from a sink. Personally, what I found appealing was the practicality innovative technology in today’s society.

Following the tour we had in intimate question and answer session with Adizah which was humbling and emotional but none the less educational. She explained to us her struggle which really inspired me because it taught me that my background or what statistics say I will do will not define me but rather if I work hard, stay focused and if I am diligent that I can achieve as much as I want to. Adizah also taught us the importance of networking and seizing opportunities, something that I have set myself as a personal target to work on.

As a young woman there are very few role models that work in this sector to look up to but I am proud to say from hearing Adizah’s story she definitely is one to me. Her drive and determination doesn’t let her light-hearted side fade and for me that is what a truly inspirational figure looks like.”

Anika:

“As part of our Step into STEM programme, with Girls Talk London, we got to make our way to the top of the One Canada Square Skyscraper in Canary Wharf for a presentation and tour around Level 39, led by Adizah Tejani. As one could only imagine, the views of London from the top of the tower were awe-inspiring, though not as inspiring as Ms Tejani herself, who moved us all with motives for getting into STEM. Her passion for technology resonated to us through her words.

It was clear that technology is a constant presence within Level 39 as – during our tour- we came across many new technologies that has made me realise a new-found interest for technology itself; some of these technologies included the demonstration of an iPad coffee machine in which you select your beverage and out comes your drink through a special tap! Another riveting finding was a piece of art that contained a portrait painting of a rather eerie looking young girl in the frame, and the eeriness continued when we found out that her eyes moved, when we did! The artists’ ‘canvas’ was a screen and they installed an X Box Kinect within the frame so that a motion sensor can pick up the movements and thus her eyes move. This is what happens when technology meets art!

It is safe to say that we left Level 39 with a renewed sense of encouragement to Step into STEM and I thank Girls Talk London for arranging this opportunity for us!”

Abida:

“For most of us on the Girls Talk London’s Step Into STEM programme, this was our first exposure to the Fintech sector therefore it was undoubtedly insightful and extremely educational.

Upon arrival we were given a presentation by Adizah Tejani (the Head of Ecosystem Development at Level 39) who gave a thorough introduction to what Fintech is and more precisely how Level 39 contribute to this growing sector. Other than being educational it was inspiring to see how a young woman born and bred from the same places we’re growing up in has come so far and done so well for herself.

To deepen our knowledge of level 39 and add a visual to everything Adizah had told us about the company, we were taken on a tour around the floor. It’s safe to say that we found every corner “snapchat worthy” and generally highly exciting.

This trip to Level 39 gave many of us a future to strive towards and a riveting work sector to invest ourselves in.”

To find out more about our Step into STEM programme click here