Expo to Show Career Paths
Posted on: Saturday, 8 April 2006, 12:00 CDT
By Marv Balousek, The Wisconsin State Journal
Apr. 8--Andrea Hoerr got a degree in languages while Deb Uebersetig was a stay-at-home mom.
Today, both work in information technology -- Hoerr at TDS Telecom and Uebersetig at American Family Insurance.
"I found out I really enjoyed working with computers," Hoerr said. "I'm always learning something new. I'm always challenged."
The two women were among several information technology professionals participating in the Women in Computer Information Technology Expo on Thursday at Madison Area Technical College. The event was designed to inspire more young women to choose male- dominated information technology as a career.
The image of an information technology professional typing away at a computer in a secluded room isn't accurate, said Leslie Hearn, TDS vice president and chief information officer.
"Nothing could be further from the truth of what IT professionals are doing today," she said, adding that there are IT jobs suited to a range of skills.
Good listeners might want to become data analysts, while women who like to plan complicated events or get people organized could make good project managers, Hearn said. Those with strong people skills can run help desks while women with creative skills can design Web pages.
Another misconception is that IT professionals are constantly working with numbers.
"People assume from birth you need to be an expert in math," said Lori Kelley, an MATC information technology instructor. "That's certainly not the case."
Rose Polachek, an MATC student in the network security program, said she went back to school after working many years in another industry.
"There are many courses I'm intimidated by," she said. "But I get lots of support and the male students are helpful."
Although IT remains a male- dominated field, women can succeed just as well, said Kristi Therkelsen, a 1982 MATC graduate now at WPS.
"Too often women feel intimidated by their male counterparts and they shouldn't be," she said.
Annie Vang, a 2004 MATC graduate now working at American Family Insurance, suggested that female IT students try to get an internship that could help them land a permanent job.
Statistics show that the number may be increasing, said Stacie Bogan, a specialist in Microsoft strategies at Inacom, a woman-owned Madison computer business.
"It's a growth industry," she said. "There are deep changes and opportunities (ahead) that are open for everybody."
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Copyright (c) 2006, The Wisconsin State Journal
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Source: The Wisconsin State Journal
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