
I never thought I'd make such a difference just being me
Sign Up For Post Alerts
Rosie Houston, Product Owner in Technology, tells us how she discovered her hidden talents that have led her into a career in Technology, and there’s no signs of it slowing down.
Me? In Technology? Surely not…
“I studied Business Management at University and always thought I’d land a role in something that I thought of as “cool”, like Marketing for example, once I’d graduated. I really didn’t ever picture myself getting into anything ‘techy’ – my perception of it was all wrong, as I’ve now learned in my 5 years with Specsavers. I was working in data elsewhere since graduating and I was ready for a change. So, when I saw a role at Specsavers in the Product Data team, I thought I’d go for it – and I’m glad I did. I was in the role for a little while when I started itching to try something new. I was grateful to have been mentored by a senior female colleague who worked in the Tech team – she told me all about her journey and the steps she took to get to where she was. She introduced me to key stakeholders so I built a good internal network and could start building relationships with people to help when it came to my next career move.
I was successful in becoming an Associate Product Owner, and then progressed to Product Owner which is the role I’m in today (for now). I have been fortunate enough to have a baby during my time in this team, and since returning, my manager been really flexible and accommodating to my needs, now that I have a family to prioritise.
Taking a risk
Some people seem to think that you either choose to have a career or to raise a family. Well, I do both. I was given a stretch assignment alongside my role where I was taking on some tasks relating to risk analysis, and I found it really enjoyable - I love learning and pushing myself to do better. I’ve now been successful in securing the role of Senior Risk Analyst and am so excited to start this new career path soon.
I really didn’t foresee my career in data and IT, but it’s actually really fun. You don’t have to be ‘techy’ - you just need business sense and be able to talk to people! Transferable skills are what matter the most - stakeholder communication, managing expectations, and emotional intelligence to be able to read the room of people who are requesting help. A big part of working in tech is all about team working and pulling on others for their expertise, as you can’t be an expert in everything. The best work is achieved when you work together.
There’s always a lot of pressure on tech as new technology evolves all the time and you have to be one step ahead. It creates a good buzz though, and as a team we always have a good laugh and keep morale high. Senior management within the tech space are always really visible too and get stuck in with the rest of us – there’s no egos and hierarchical politics.
I’m a woman in tech
I don’t see myself as a woman in tech, I am a person in tech. Even though it’s quite a male-dominated team, I don’t notice it as I don’t get treated differently. Everyone has time for me, we are treated as individuals, and there’s no intimidation from anyone across the business. I’ve never had any incidents where someone has assumed I won’t know something because of my gender.
I love what I do – I’m given the autonomy to make decisions, independence to get on with things, and there’s a lot of trust. It’s surprising how far you can go in a short space of time; you can move around to get varied experience and gain more knowledge to be able to make a difference in tech – I never thought I’d make such a difference just being me. Just because it’s tech and might look difficult, chances are it’s not the case. My advice is to go after something you enjoy and don’t be put off by it if it sounds difficult. Get involved and make up your own mind once you’ve given it a go – you should only regret the opportunities you don’t take.
Tags
#FeelsLikeSpecsavers

Teaser
Support OfficeContent Type
BlogPublish date
08/29/2025
Summary
Celebrating National Payroll WeekPayroll might happen behind the scenes, but it’s at the heart of every organisation. Our Payroll Services team is a mix of problem-solvers, people champions, and proce
by
Mike Davidson

Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish date
08/27/2025
Summary
Rachel Pointon’s career in optometry has been anything but linear—and that’s exactly what makes it so inspiring. From hospital clinics to high-performing stores, from mentoring pre-regs to influencin

Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish date
08/27/2025
Summary
Hi, I’m Alan 👋 I grew up on the southside of Glasgow and I’m currently the Lead Optometrist at Specsavers in Sauchiehall Street. How did I get here? To be honest, I was never entirely sure that op
by
Mike Davidson

Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish date
08/22/2025
Summary
From law to lenses: Hannan Qureshi’s story After years in the legal profession, Hannan Qureshi has made a bold career switch to follow his passion - becoming the new Retail Director at Specsavers Shep

Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish date
08/18/2025
Summary
"Home visits is refreshing, it’s fulfilling, and I wouldn’t go back.” Meet EllaElla Helliwell lives in a quiet village in Cheshire with her husband and their cat, Rosie. After moving away for universi

Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish date
08/15/2025
Summary
Parth Shah, Lead Clinical Performance Consultant (CPC), qualified as an optometrist at Specsavers in 2003. Since then, his journey has taken him from the clinic to the classroom, the boardroom, and ev

Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish date
07/28/2025
Summary
A career begins with a life-changing moment When Mahnoor Khan joined Specsavers Norton as a pre-reg optometrist, she never imagined her clinical training would be put to the test in such a personal an

Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish date
07/25/2025
Summary
When Deepali Modha first qualified as an Optometrist, she never imagined her career would one day take her far beyond the test room. But over the years, she’s carved out a path that’s as inspiri

Teaser
AudiologyContent Type
BlogPublish date
07/23/2025
Summary
When Louise Turton first joined Specsavers in Coventry back in 2011, she wasn’t chasing a dream career - she needed a job. “I’d recently moved to the area and wanted something stable,” she says. “I di
.jpg)
Teaser
Home VisitsContent Type
BlogPublish date
07/23/2025
Summary
Turning a life-changing diagnosis into a life-changing career Meet Gemma, a brand-new Specsavers Domiciliary Audiology Partner, whose journey from Optical Assistant to qualified Hearing Aid Dispenser
Selected jobs for you
Salary
£7.75 - £12.41 per hour
Location
Colchester, East England, United Kingdom
Store ID
2444
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Trainee Optical Assistant
Locations
Colchester
Description
Specsavers Stanway So, you’re a proactive people person, passionate about retail and offering the best customer service? Sounds like you’d be a great fit here. So, if you’ve ever considered a career i
Reference
sf-84629-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001

Author
Rebecca Hooper
Author
Rebecca HooperSalary
7.75
Location
Louth, East Midlands, United Kingdom
Store ID
0687
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Optical Assistant Apprenticeship
Locations
Louth
Description
Optical Assistant ApprenticeSpecsavers Louth So, you’re a proactive people person, passionate about retail and offering the best customer service? Sounds like you’d be a great fit here. If you’ve ever
Reference
sf-84628-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001

Author
Rebecca Hooper
Author
Rebecca HooperSalary
7.75
Location
Skegness, East Midlands, United Kingdom
Store ID
0427
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Optical Assistant Apprenticeship
Locations
Skegness
Description
Optical Assistant ApprenticeSpecsavers Skegness So, you’re a proactive people person, passionate about retail and offering the best customer service? Sounds like you’d be a great fit here. If you’ve e
Reference
sf-84627-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001

Author
Rebecca Hooper
Author
Rebecca Hooper