Celebrating International Women’s Day: how this Northwestel technician is climbing to new heights
Nicole Whitford is driven by helping others and showing young women in the North, "you can absolutely do it.”
As a Field Service Technician, Nicole shares her experiences of overcoming the barriers she faced entering a physical, male dominated role, and the steps she’s taking to help the next generation of women enter the field. Learn how Nicole’s inner drive, and a passion for helping others, inspires young women across the North.
Working today, for tomorrow’s generation
In Nicole’s day-to-day she inspires many, even when she may not be expecting it. It’s moments like when she connected 6-year-old Mary's house to fibre. Mary wanted her to know, "I want to be a worker just like you when I grow up!" Since then, Mary has been presented her very own Northwestel vest and hard hat, and been welcomed to our team.
It’s moments like these, that make Nicole’s career so rewarding and so exciting for young women to enter the field.
“That has to be, stand out, the most rewarding experience as a tech. It shows new generations moving into the tech industry. I didn’t think something like this would happen as I never saw myself as someone who inspires young ones.”
Mary in Tulita joining the team as an honorary technician
This is just one of the many ways Nicole is showing the next generation of young women, they can absolutely thrive in the tech industry.
Leading with confidence
Nicole joined our team as a technician because of her passion for helping others. For her it’s the daily interactions with customers to help make their lives better that engages her in her work. But at the beginning of her career, like many women entering a physical, male-dominated industry, she faced challenges.
Her physical abilities were questioned by her male teammates. But as Nicole puts it, “I firmly believe I proved them wrong.”
Nicole overcame other’s doubts and criticisms by believing in her skills and following her passion to help her community. She passes this advice on to young women who are entering a career in tech:
“Just do it! Don’t take criticism, prove people wrong. It’s a male dominated industry, but women can do it too.”
International Women’s Day 2023
Join us on March 8th to celebrate International Women’s Day, and the incredible leaders like Nicole.
At Northwestel, we recognize and celebrate the achievements of our female employees across the North. It’s their dedication to breaking down barriers that is building a supportive network for women to thrive. It’s their dedication to building connections that is helping our communities and providing role models to young women.
Thank you, Nicole, and all the women across the North who are leading the way.
Continue your IWD 2023 celebrations by reading about more exceptional employees.
