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...These were the thoughts that crossed my mind as I sat in my IT Diploma Programming class. These were the first words that actually made me sit up and seriously consider a career in computing.
I left secondary school not knowing what career I wanted to pursue. I knew I was going to pursue a science based career having studied general science in school, I just wasn’t sure what it was going to be. So in the year I waited to enter university, my parents decided rather than have me lounge around the house aimlessly I should do an IT Diploma course. Being eternally bored I went along not knowing what to expect.
I think what appealed to me was how the lecturer sold IT as a career to the class. I understood IT would give me the chance to help individuals businesses be more efficient i.e. lower cost, reach more customers etc but more importantly I would be working with others to generate ideas and work with ideas from start to finish.
My mind was made up 6 months after, and I decided that a career in computing was what I wanted. I went on to pursue a BSc Computer science.
At University, I preferred to acquire knowledge not only in the classroom but also in industry. So my first year summer break was spent as an intern in Softtribe, one of West Africa's foremost software houses. There I worked developing smaller components in C++ and Java for their major systems which were being developed at the time. For instance, I worked on a hotel’s web site and booking system. I was asked to write a program that went through the code and pick up comments for use in documentation.
During my third year summer break I became an intern at INIIT - a computing research and development firm. After that summer I stayed on and worked part-time through to my final year and then after Graduation went on to work with them fulltime working on web applications using PHP.
Whilst In the University I took a semester’s course in Distributed systems (Systems that work as a single unit even though the components were in different geographical areas) but I really developed interest in the subject area after taking an internet based applications course. Learning about object oriented client based systems; J2EE, Corba, Ole/ActiveX, the concept of autonomous computers working together but seeming as one coherent system and the connectivity offered by the internet, I realised there was limitless possibilities in this subject area. So after a year working fulltime I left to go back for a Masters in Software Engineering specialising in Distributed Systems.
During my MSc I took an Internship working in the IT Department of a Customer Services department. I learnt a lot about dealing with users with little or no IT skills and how to explain tasks in the simplest way for users to understand.
Why IT?
Because I love to generate ideas, plan work on them and see them unfold, but this could have applied to many others professions. The clinch factor for me was the fact that as an IT professional I could contribute to making any organisations, regardless of being small or large, a bigger success by paying attention, analysing and detailing and working on systems that don’t even realise they need at times
Being Female
I work with male colleagues who do not always understand my point of view but make an effort to respect my opinions. There are stereotypes and preconceptions out there but I choose to take this tact; I have constantly proved to any one I have worked with that I am analytical thinking, hardworking and prepared to do more than my share in the team. Respect is earned and you need prove to your colleagues male or female that your capable.
I presently work using the skills I amassed in University and Internships as a Analyst/Developer with an organisation that provides IT managed services. I am the latest addition to the team working, training and amassing the skill sets that would make me invaluable to my organisation and the clients on the projects I work on.
My work involves working with a client to determine their peticular needs, working with other analysts and developers to define the architecture of the system and communicating these designs through technical documentation. I am also sometimes involved in development.
My aim is to be much more ‘value added’ than I am. By valued added, I mean to be the person any client or organisation would want to be on their team because I thoroughly understand and am fully committed to giving them the best product possible which meets their needs perfectly.
Outside Work
I love to dance so I do as much dancing as I can; salsa, street dancing, you name it. For a while I lead a choreography group along with ten other people. We choose music and work together to produce a dance ensemble. We were even invited to perform at a couple of charity events.
Usually my weekends are spent leisurely walking, shopping, listening to music, eating and going out with friends.
My Advice
There not many women in IT and we need more! If you are interested, weigh your options and jump aboard. If you’re already studying for a qualification take every opportunity to pick new skills and use them. Take as many internships as you can. Work with local IT groups to volunteer the skills you do have. There are a lot of events, conferences and unconferences that occur in the IT sphere so take the opportunity to find out more about what is happening in the IT industry.
But most of all, don’t be afraid to voice your opinions or your ideas, say what you think should be done differently and why, even if you are working with people who are more experienced. You might never know... | 