Intern at the Big Table: My experience at the Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards

By Miranda Tiurma, Intern at Eskenzi PR

They say that you need to be placed in an environment where you know the least, in order to learn and grow. If this theory holds true, then I was exactly where I needed to be. As an intern, I had the privilege of attending the Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards hosted by Eskenzi. The event was planned and executed remarkably by my colleagues. Witnessing the whole thing unfold right before me was exciting. 

Working at Eskenzi and being in the office meant that I was able to catch glimpses of the behind-the-scenes of the MIWIC award. It was particularly fun unboxing the banner, trophies and handouts at the office. Watching it all unfold from the inside, I finally understood how much planning and logistics go into an event. I attended the pre-event panel catch-up call and got to listen to the stories of the inspiring panellists before the day itself. It was like watching a sneak peek! I was also lucky to be able to draft the post-event press release and was made aware of the 21 winners before they were announced – another sneak peek! There’s something thrilling about seeing your work being used – my contributions made it into the final picture!

Upon arrival at the BT Tower, I was immediately fascinated by its architecture – especially after learning that the 33rd floor was once bombed in 1971. The view from the 34th floor was breathtaking. It was my first time in London and on that day, I got a nice view of the vast city skyline from above. 

Being surrounded by so many successful and accomplished women in one room felt very inspiring. Equal parts intimidating and humbling for sure, but it reminded me that I too, can accomplish big things as a young woman. These women are testaments of a future that is within reach if we stay the course and continuously strive towards our goals. Witnessing the 21 winners and ones-to-watch go up on stage to collect their trophies – their joy was infectious! Everyone in the room was so supportive of one another, winner or not. That was what made the atmosphere so positive.

The panel discussion was engaging and insightful. Some members of the audience were also given the opportunity to share snippets of their stories during the discussion.

Here is what I am carrying forward: 

1. It’s okay to say no: Women at the workplace tend to take on more than they should because of the guilt associated with saying no. As an intern, it is perhaps a different ballgame. However, I quickly learnt the reality of women at the workplace – I was reminded that it is okay to do what is best and necessary for ourselves. 
2. Invest in yourself: Be it in pursuing further education or signing up for life coaching, I learnt the importance of prioritising yourself and your career
3. As cliché as it sounds, never give up: A lot of the women I was surrounded by did not have entirely smooth-sailing journeys – that is what made their success so rewarding. The journey will not be easy, but it is imperative to be resilient and to stay the course 

Overall, I appreciated that the panel discussions were nuanced. The panellists did not just echo each other – they were not afraid to disagree and built on each other’s ideas. I enjoyed the opposing opinions that challenged the way I formed my opinions on certain matters. There was a topic discussing what women should do when taking a break: To really rest or to utilise the time to learn and upskill? The truth is, there is no one fixed answer to this. What I am carrying forward is that I know myself best and I will choose what is right for me – without guilt. 

The Most Inspiring Women In Cyber Awards was eye-opening. I was reminded of my capacity to accomplish big things and that it is never too late! I was lucky to be amongst successful women who still upheld humility. Their stories I will always remember, as I start to pave my future from today on.