From hotel management to the world of tech – an interview with Laura Gedrat

“Technology is about much more than just programming – it’s changing the way we work.”

Ten years ago, no one would have predicted that Laura Gedrat would one day be at home in the tech industry – least of all herself. Back then, she was deeply rooted in the hospitality and service sectors. Technology was part of her day-to-day work, but the idea that it would one day be at the heart of her career was simply unimaginable to her. Looking back, it’s clear that this unlikely path was exactly the right one. Her example shows how women can gain a foothold in the tech industry today.

A journey that began in the catering industry

Laura’s career began over twelve years ago in the catering industry. Even as a child, she was fascinated by hospitality, food and the whole world of hospitality. She worked her way through almost every area – from front-of-house to the bar, catering and the kitchen. At the same time, she studied business administration whilst working and gradually moved into management, eventually taking on responsibility for organisational and administrative areas within hotel management.

Those years had a lasting impact on her. They taught her just how crucial processes, leadership and business acumen are – skills that would later prove equally valuable in the technology sector. Her path then led her into the world of start-ups, where she took on responsibility for sales and marketing before taking the bold step of setting up her own business four years ago.

Not a sudden change, but a gradual process

The move into the tech world didn’t happen overnight. Around six years ago, digitalisation really began to gather pace, whilst social media grew enormously in importance and opened up entirely new opportunities for businesses. Laura became increasingly interested in how technology is transforming business models and what opportunities this creates.

Even whilst studying business administration, she was already working with various digital management systems. Shortly afterwards, she went on to complete a CAS in IT in Munich – which marked a real turning point for her. From that moment on, she no longer wanted simply to use technology, but to understand how it works and how companies can integrate it strategically with marketing.

Technology as a tool, not an end in itself

When people hear the word ‘tech’, many immediately think of programming. For Laura, however, technology means far more than just software development. She operates at the intersection of marketing, communication and IT – fields that are now virtually inseparable. Modern marketing cannot function without technology, and even the best technology only delivers its full value when it reaches people and is communicated clearly.

Automation, artificial intelligence, CRM systems, workflows, integrations and digital processes are an integral part of their day-to-day work. For them, technology is not an end in itself, but a tool that makes businesses more efficient and helps people to focus on the tasks that really add value.

As a woman in the tech industry: making your voice heard

As a woman in the technology sector, Laura faced a particular challenge: making her voice heard. Especially in the early days, she was often the only woman in the room at conferences, meetings and networking events. This didn’t necessarily mean she was treated any worse – but she often felt she had to prove herself more than her male colleagues. She was questioned more frequently, had to explain her expertise more often, and sometimes felt that her statements were met with less trust than those of a man in a similar position.

Over time, she learnt to present herself confidently, set boundaries and trust in her own expertise. Today, she knows that competence does not depend on gender, but on knowledge, experience and a willingness to keep learning.

From Germany and Switzerland via Istanbul to Dubai

Laura has been working at the intersection of technology, marketing and digitalisation for around six years. Almost four years ago, she took the plunge into self-employment. What began with projects in Germany and Switzerland has since developed into an internationally active business. Today, she works with clients from various countries and has also established her business in Dubai.

She is particularly fascinated by how rapidly the industry is changing: the systems and technologies she was working with four years ago are fundamentally different from the possibilities available today – particularly those offered by artificial intelligence. It is precisely this dynamism that makes the technology sector so exciting for her: you never stop learning.

Her advice to other women

For anyone thinking about moving into the tech industry or becoming self-employed, Laura has some clear advice: just go for it.

She knows that getting started can be daunting – especially when you’re often the only woman in the room or see very few female role models. But that’s precisely why the industry needs more women to take the plunge. Nobody starts out as an expert. Every career begins with that first step – and even if a particular path later turns out not to be the right one, you’ll have gained valuable experience. The worst that can happen is that you go back to your previous job. You’ve already been there anyway.

Her hope is that more women will find the courage to step outside their comfort zone. After all, technology thrives on different perspectives – and it is precisely this diversity that is needed to shape the innovations of tomorrow.