What inspired you to pursue a career in IT?
It was by chance and luck! Coming out of college and thinking about a role in Marketing, you instantly think of the largest brands you want to be a part of. For me, at that time it was something along the lines of Nike, or (local to New England) Staples had a huge presence (although we have since moved away from the office paper supplies). Scrolling for open job opportunities on Twitter, I came across a company Presidio, that I knew nothing about but was eager to begin my career. At the time I had no idea what the tech industry had in store for me.
What is the most challenging part about being a woman in IT?
Making your presence known and impactful among the majority of males in the room. To continue to have a voice and speak up.
What is the most rewarding part about being a woman in a leadership role?
Knowing you can make a difference and empower other women in the industry. I have several female leaders that I have always looked up to and always reached out to for advice—whether that be to go for a new role, salary increase, or navigating the appropriate work-life balance. I hope to be that person for the younger generation. I don’t think I would be in my role today if it weren’t for the female leaders around me that encouraged me to do so.
Why is diversity in business important to you?
It empowers us and keeps us creative and evolving new ideas and perspectives.
What advice would you give an aspiring female IT leader?
Go for it! We have so many opportunities open to us, and ahead of us. Don’t let self-doubt stop you.
Want to tell us anything else?
I feel very fortunate to have so many female leaders in my life that I look up to and consider mentors. Find an organization and people in your career that empower you day-to-day and when the next big job or promotion is available. A colleague of mine told me very early on “learn something new every day.”
Help Us Keep IT Diverse
BlackHawk Data is proud to be a woman-owned small business. We’re committed to sharing the stories of women in our industry and opening doors for young professionals. We believe everyone should be able to make changes in the tech world.
Learn more about our commitment to diversity today!