Want to find out more about the Northern Slant team? Every week we put 10 questions to our community of contributors – about them, their interests and hopes for Northern Ireland’s future. This week’s interviewee is Sarah McBride. You can follow Sarah on Twitter SMcBride_NI.

 

1. Tell us about yourself and why you got involved with Northern Slant.

Hailing from Co. Antrim’s middle town, Ballymena, I had a very normal upbringing in post-conflict Northern Ireland. I attended one of the local grammar schools, Ballymena Academy, played hockey, worked hard at school and didn’t think too much about the world around me, nor understand an awful lot about the conflict that seemed to be causing continued economic and social malaise in NI.

Then I had to start thinking about university and a potential career pathway and, coming from a family of linguists, entrepreneurs and a council executive, a degree in International Management with French seemed the right fit. At the same time, I started to become deeply interested by technology and how there were so many opportunities for people to gain a foothold in the industry, regardless of age or where they came from.

Since leaving 4 years ago, I’ve completed a summer internship at Google in London and spent my placement year in Paris working for a French wearable tech startup, Withings, which was acquired by Nokia while I was working there. It was certainly an insight into the international tech industry and the differing dynamics between small and large players. Throughout, I’ve kept an ear to the ground on the burgeoning Northern Irish tech scene and the new wave of startup companies coming through, as well as our growing expertise in software development and cyber security. I’ve also tried to educate myself on Northern Ireland’s past and understand the continued issues we face.

Having just finished my degree programme, I’ve moved back home to tropical Ballymena and now spend my time working on side projects I never found the time to work on alongside my studies. Which is also how I happened to get involved with Northern Slant! As an avid Twitter user, NS articles had surfaced on my timeline a multitude of times while I was away and always proved to a source of valuable insight and analysis on affairs at home. I’m excited to now contribute to the business side of the blog.

 

2. Describe Northern Ireland in five words.

Continuously punching above its weight.

 3. What makes you proud to be here?

I’m proud that we have a story of progress to share. I remember when I was still at school, I was invited to an event hosted by the Washington-Ireland Programme Alumni. They had a panel on the peace process and I distinctly remember one of the panellists saying that Northern Ireland is held as a leading example around the world for peace-building, with delegations of people involved with the peace process at home regularly consulting for areas of civil conflict today, a notable example being Palestine.

I’m also exceptionally proud of how successful people from our wee country have gone on to be. Even at University, some of the smartest people I met had come from the same patch of land as me. Like me, they had been through the NI state school system, compared to the public school or international school route that most of our fellow students had to go through (and pay for!) just to get that same university place. When I was at Google I remember being a little disappointed that I hadn’t found anymore with the same accent as me (although, unsurprisingly, there was a wonderfully diverse mix of accents in the team). That was until I found out that the Head of Comms for Google Europe is a bloke from Northern Ireland. Unbelievable!

 

4. Are you hopeful for the future?

Yes. I’m still at the age where I haven’t had to live through enough of the harsh realities of adult life (mortgages, tax) to gain a cynical outlook on life, so I am perhaps naively very, very optimistic about the future. My hope for the future of NI is encouraged by the current and crucial strategy to rebalance our economy away from the public sector. My hope is fuelled by the buzz of energy and enthusiasm on show from business professionals, both local and from further afield, that came to attend the Digital DNA conference in Belfast in June. My hope is founded in being a part of the next generation of business, political and societal leaders who grew up in a post-conflict NI who want to build a future here.

Of course, the short-term outlook is another story — what, with no government in Stormont and the impending tornado of Brexit. But I see each of these challenges as a crucial inflexion point for our leaders and our fellow citizens alike. They’re an opportunity to go back to the drawing board and re-write our political structures and our economic plans to ensure we continue to build a prosperous, peaceful and sustainable future.

 

5. If you could change one thing about Northern Ireland what would it be?

Careers advice in schools. Our labour market and economy simply can’t continue to grow if we continue to only churn out teachers, doctors and lawyers. These were the routes I was encouraged to consider at school just because I had good grades and I’m thankful that by other means I discovered the opportunities that awaited me in the tech industry. Thankfully, we’re starting to do a great job at turning out world-leading software developers. But what about the creative industries? What about entrepreneurship? What about digital marketing? Data science? Our careers advice needs to come up to speed with the jobs of the future, while also inspiring students to pursue fulfilling career pathways that make the most of their diverse skillset — not just their test score sheet.

6. Favourite NI celebrity?

My favourite NI celebrity perhaps isn’t well-known to the general public, but is a big name in tech circles. Sarah Friar is the CFO of Square (a payments company started by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey) and she’s originally from Strabane! Sarah spoke at a Generation Innovation event that I attended when I was 17 and was one of the key people who inspired me to pursue a career in technology. She’s had tremendous success to date and is a fantastic role model for young women.

 

7. Politician you most admire, from outside Northern Ireland?

Normally my answer to this question would be the current President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron. But Connor [Daly] already did a fantastic job of summarising Macron’s rise to Presidency in his 2 minutes interview. Instead, I’d choose Macron’s right-hand man in his current government — Edouard Philippe.

Philippe is from the right-wing Republican party and therefore was a crucial figure for Macron to bring on board as Prime Minister to form a centrist government and in building bipartisan support for vital reforms. In the French system, the PM usually has a bit of a rough time as their job is essentially to carry out all the President’s dirty work whilst getting little thanks for it. Philippe’s recent work has included successfully pushing through the crucial SNCF reforms, while taking a lot of heat from those on strike. While Macron is a charismatic leader, behind all the theatrics of politics a country still needs politicians who get things done. For me, Edouard Philippe is a great example of that.

 

8. Favourite place to bring a visitor?

Slemish “mountain”, first thing in the morning. The views are stunning and the place is steeped in history.

 

9. Potato bread or soda bread?

Without a doubt potato bread.

 

10. Snow Patrol or Van Morrison?

Both! Van Morrison for dinner parties, Snow Patrol for road trips.

Also published on Medium.