Breaking down the Barriers

In today's world, young women's career aspirations have changed, and what used to be a man's world is now an industry that benefits from men and women working together.
At Programmed, we seek to increase the representation of women in leadership and attract women in trades. We are proud to have women thriving within our organisation, just like Tegan Overall, Programmed ‘Contract manager at Greater Western Water.
Tegan’s story begins in Northwest Victoria, raised on a farm with little understanding of the opportunities available to women. Tegan left high school and started her career working in the interior design industry. She worked in Western Australia as an assistant project manager for a consulting company for 10 years, where she began working on major commercial projects, from office buildings to significant airport redevelopments. Later on, she moved back to Victoria to work as a senior project manager consultant at Melbourne Airport for 4 years.
COVID-19 was a turning point for Tegan, wanting to add some value in a slightly different sector, giving to the land and people, Tegan decided to look for opportunities that Programmed and the Water sector offered. "I wanted to be involved in a bit of blue-collar as opposed to the corporate and starting to make a difference within the lives of my team, and that's how I landed with water", Tegan mentioned.
Tegan didn’t study project management straight out of high school because she didn't know it existed and didn't understand it was available for women in the trade sector. That is why she believes early education is essential and encouraging women into trades is key to make people understand what they're capable of.
"I've always been in the construction sector around male-dominated industries, I've always had to fit in, and if I didn't fit, then there was no room for me, but that's not how we should be thinking; that's not how I want the women in my organisation to be thinking."
Tegan shared that her parents never treated her like a little princess, so she never felt she wasn't capable. She encourages parents to change their mindset and raise young women as leaders who are capable of anything. "As leaders, we need to start driving the change now and early; it is still very uncommon to have women in trade. We must set our organisations up to support young women".
Having just joined Programmed and GWW nine months ago, Tegan has always felt aligned with the values of both organisations and manifesting they live and breathe their core values. She has had nothing but support since she came onto these contracts.
Programmed is committed to keeping improving gender balance and equality. We want women to make up half the roles in our workforce, not just in some roles but in all roles. Like Tegan, break down the barriers and make your career goals come true.
To find out more about the career pathway available at Programmed or to have a career conversation, contact us at womenconnect@programmed.com.au