| Author |
Women of a certain age
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| Kartemy 2001-06-02, 9:37 pm |
| Hi all,
I am another Newbie. I just stumbled across this site last nite and love the thought of a discussion group about Women in IT since I am one.
I have never been in a discussion group before so this will be an interesting experience for me. I have really enjoyed the postings I have read so far, on different topics.
I guess I was just wondering if must of the women out there in this field are young women or are there any antiques (over 35) around like me?
Anyway, I'll enjoy keeping up with all the postings I'm sure, I work a lot of nights and they can be pretty quiet.
Bye now | |
| Trouble Man 2001-06-02, 11:08 pm |
| Hey, over 35 is not an antique!! Unless your talking 35 in dog years!! | |
| Lagavulin 2001-06-02, 11:22 pm |
| A car of 25 years or older is an antique... 20 years is a classic car, 25 years is an antique.
I am not so sure a dog can live to be 35.... where did you hear this? I would like to look that up... It would be great if they could, but I dont think they can. I am gonna do a little searching on the good old "internet".. I will let you know what I find.
/JL | |
| Trouble Man 2001-06-02, 11:41 pm |
| Lagavulin,
You know I just posted in the general discussion forum that it's the onus of the communicator to make sure that the receiver understood his message. I just transgressed that law. I'm sorry--I forgot to realize that it is hard to convey comedy through a keyboard. My statement above was meant as a light-hearted joke with the intention of giving a warm welcome to a new member. How foolish it was of me to not consider your possible lack of understanding, or possible level of intoxication.
I apologize for making a joke that you might not understand. Next time I make a joke, I will check to see if you're on-line first. That way I can dumb down the joke, so that you might understand it better. Maybe, I'll put in little parentheses: Lagavulin, this is a joke.
I'm glad we had this talk. From now on I promise I'll be more considerate of some of the more "special" members we have in this forum. | |
| Kartemy 2001-06-02, 11:46 pm |
| Don't give it another thought. I work nights with a bunch of guys and at 4 in the morning, 3/4 of the way through a 12 hour shift you learn not to take too much to heart!
I have a real problem with racism and pure meanness but I never thought you were showing either in your post.
Cheers! (just an expression) | |
| Lagavulin 2001-06-03, 1:17 am |
| Whats the deal? I was merely stating something that (unlike your 35 year old dog thing) is true..in other words, a "fact"... why are you attacking me? You can check my comments just about anywhere on the web... but I feel that you will be hard pressed to find anywhere stating that a dog lives for 35 years... but, I am the dumb one...
I am not sure why you are attacking me ( maybe I dont know why because I am dumb) but please refrain from unsolicited attacks, especially when you are the one who is in the wrong.. And also because this board is for exam help and computer topics, not dogs and harrasment. | |
| Kartemy 2001-06-03, 1:31 am |
| My apologies Troubleman. If I had read your last post more carefully I would have realized that you two guys had carried your "discussion" over into this thread.
I will not interrupt you again. This was my first attempt at a discussion group and may very well be my last.
I appreciate the quick responses but I have no desire to have to see this same "discussion" in every thread I check out.
Good nite | |
| Paisleyskye 2001-06-03, 1:43 am |
| Kartemy:
Please don't leave over Lagavulin - he's not worth it, which he has proven in another thread this evening.
I am very pleased to have you as a member of this forum, and hope to see you visit often.
In answer to your original post - I am 32, so I don't quite fit the 35 and over category - but some days I feel like I'm 90, so I guess maybe that qualifies me? | |
| Kartemy 2001-06-03, 1:49 am |
| Paisleyskye,
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I guess I'll just take a wait and see kind of stance. I have really enjoyed going through the different posts tonight and would like to continue.
Time will tell. | |
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| quote:
Originally posted by Lagavulin
please refrain from unsolicited attacks
A pity you don't take your own advice here. Perhaps you feel the same way about women that you do about Indians? | |
| Nicole 2001-06-03, 10:11 am |
| I'm 30, but I don't consider myself an antique yet  | |
| Kartemy 2001-06-03, 4:02 pm |
| Nicole,
I don't either, really. Just sometimes I look around and realize, wow I'm the oldest person in the room, here at work and back when I was in school.
Then I think, so what?
 | |
| Pavlov 2001-06-03, 4:21 pm |
| Welcome Kartemy! I am 35 and have been playing in the IT sandbox for almost 5 years now. Welcome to the forum(s) and don't let the words of a few scare you off. This site is an excellent resource. | |
| Kartemy 2001-06-03, 5:59 pm |
| Pavlov,
Thanks for the welcome. I am fairly new to the field myself. I have the NT4 MCSE and about to write number 2 for 2000 track. My job insists on continued education and provides all the resources for it. But then you don't go into this field thinking you'll get what you need to get a job and then not have to study ever again. It sure keeps you sharp!
I have been reading a lot of posts in different forums and have really found them interesting and helpful. (for the most part anyway). I am going to encourage the other women I know to get involved too, as we are all in the same boat and it is great to have such a lot of people resources to draw on.
Thanks again. | |
| Lagavulin 2001-06-03, 6:10 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by Paisleyskye
Kartemy:
Please don't leave over Lagavulin - he's not worth it, which he has proven in another thread this evening.
Please someone explain to me what is wrong with saying that a car of 25 years or older is an antique. This was not an attack or whatever, it was merely a statement, and a documented fact. And if you guys really get that upset about a comment that has no malicious intent ( and is not even about a human) then you really need to examine your lifes a bit. I mean is it this whole politcally correct thing or something? And in all honesty Kartemy, if you get offended this easily ( by something that wasn't offensive) then you will have a hard time in life dealing with adversity. This is not meant to be offensive, it is just an observation.
I really dont care how old you are or that your a woman or that blah blah blah. I seriously doubt that yourself and I will ever have any effect on eachothers lives. Your success or failure will have no bearing on my life.
I guess I will limit my posts to the more intelligent and valuable ones like " good job", and "great score" that everyone else posts 30 times a day. I guess that what everyone wants to see around here... It seems to make everyone sleep better at night.
I like this forum and I check here a few times a day, but it is starting to turn into a little pc ( politically correct) "Im ok-you're ok" forum. And it it seems that the majority of the posts have no interesting insight.. ya know the type " I passed with an 860" ( followed by no insight into the test-not a braindump, but rather what the experience was like, what topics were covered) and then 30 or so " good job", "great work" posts..
It's like when I said those comments to Randy ( which I regret saying)... but everyone is quick to attack me in Randys defense, but Randy obviously did not care that I said that. Look at his responses to that statment. I hope everyone feels good about themselves to defend someone who did not even feel that he was attacked. My lord, look what we have turned into.
And even If I did have malicious intents in my comments to Randy or Kartemy.. why cant I be forgiven? I doubt very much Randy hates all Americans (although we killed his ancestors and took their land)...I am sure all you Americans are using computer parts made in Japan ( even though they killed thousands of our men in WWII < they even tried to introduce the black plague into America> )... you obviously forgave them. I see lots of Mercedes and BMW's at the Jewish Temple in my town... those Jews obviously forgave the Germans for their horific acts... ya see what I mean.
I am drinking a 16 year old scotch right now... not that age matters....
I cant wait to see the attacks on me from this one... please make them good beacuse we love to laugh at 'em over here. | |
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| I think he's right . . . to a degree . . . I don't think he meant any harm by the statements he made in the GF, it was just done out of anger. As for the 35+ comment, let it go . . . saying a lady is an antique is a bit of a faux pas, but it's not that big of a deal. I am 29 myself. Let's forget it and move on to more important stuff.
I have to admit that in the GF, Lag did have a point, though he was a bit course at expressing it.
Next topic!!! | |
| imran1430 2001-06-03, 10:35 pm |
| Welcome to the forum Kartemy. This place is awesome!! Please hang around and you will begin to see that the majority of people here are positive thinkers with a friendly attitude. You do see meanies every once in a while but THAT'S LIFE!!
BTW, I am not pointing fingers at anyone here so don't go crazy on me! I am just trying to welcome Kartemy 
Cheers! | |
| Kartemy 2001-06-03, 10:51 pm |
| Thanks imran1430
I do plan to stick around, I think. I certainly have enjoyed the informative postings that I have read so far for the most part.
I hope to be able to help other newbies like myself and get help when I need it from the good people who drop by.
Again, thanks for the warm words. | |
| imran1430 2001-06-03, 11:17 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by Kartemy
I hope to be able to help other newbies like myself and get help when I need it from the good people who drop by.
I wish everyone who visited this forum had a frame of thought like yours
Cheers! | |
| SusanLowman 2001-06-04, 7:59 am |
| To answer the original question....
I am 37, been in the industry for almost 20 years.....I must be an "antique" It could be worse!!  | |
| oconeemother 2001-06-04, 9:37 am |
| I am very old,43,and am very new to IT. For the past eighteen years, I have been a stay at home mom, raising my four children. In January, I enrolled in an A+ Certification class at our local technical college. I have taken the hardware test and passed, I have taken the OS test and have not passed it yet, but, I will. I love working on and with computers. I hope to have a career in IT soon. I am begining a new life for myself and am very excited. I am encouraged to see women in this field(there were two out of fifteen in my class). Please wish me luck, as I wish to all of you(female or male, old or young).
PEACE!
Cindy | |
| Kartemy 2001-06-04, 11:24 am |
| Hi oconeemother,
I do wish you luck! And with your positive attitude you'll do just fine. I think the biggest part of the battle is enjoying what you do. If that's the case, it makes learning that much easier.
Like you I stayed home mostly, a few part time jobs for a long time. My only child graduate high school this year. Last year I decided I wanted something for me and looked into the different courses at several schools. MCSE was the one that grabbed me. It really never occurred to me until about two weeks into the course when I looked around the room and thought "Oh, wow, I'm not only the oldest person in the room but one of only three women in the entire school!
Then I ignored the fact and went on to top my class! So, be encouraged. I believe that as mature students we do well because we have taken the time to make an informed decision about what we want to spend the rest of our careers involved in.
Keep up the great work! Never give up, never surrender! | |
| Cathy V 2001-06-04, 11:37 am |
| Welcome to all of the newbies!
I'm an antique (39) who got a late start in the "techy" part of IT although I've always been in that department (18 years). I started out as the IT department's secretary and held that job for about 11 years before moving to the Help Desk, then on to PC Support Specialist, and then on to my current job as Computer Operations Supervisor (since March).
The moral of the story is that it doesn't matter how old you are and your gender doesn't (or shouldn't) matter. I feel fortunate that my company is very serious about promoting from within and our pay is based on merit, not gender. It's not too late to make a good career for yourself. Just read everything you can get your hands on and never stop learning!
Again, welcome! This is a good place for information and also to "vent" from time to time.
Cathy V. | |
| Wretched_0ne 2001-06-04, 7:30 pm |
| I'm 24 and have been working in the IT field for a few months since I got my A+. I'm taking college classes while trying to get into shape for the military. | |
| Wretched_0ne 2001-06-04, 7:33 pm |
| Don't worry, I know an A+ instructer that failed his first time around. One of the smartest guys in our class failed too. He was the only one that could keep up with my grades. Sometimes compTIA can dish out some hard questions. | |
| Kartemy 2001-06-05, 5:40 am |
| oconeemother,
Don't let not passing the first time get to you. I remember my first cert exam. I was a basket case. Had never seen one before. I shook through the whole thing, barely slept the night before and just about collapsed when I got out of it!
Next time will be easier because you will know what to expect. I still find them a bit stressful, even when I know my stuff going in. There's always in your mind "What if there is things on it I missed?" But there never is.
The company I work for doesn't take age or gender into account when they hire and they hired me right out of school for what is in my neck of the woods an excellent salary so keep at it, there is nothing more rewarding than succeeding at something you love.
Good luck to all. Joining this discussion group is turning out to be a good thing! | |
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| Some who are young do very well to pick up technical skills, but those who are older bring maturity to the field too, as long as they are open to learning.
30s aren't that old once you near that marker....I have recently.
We need more women in the IT field, no matter what age! | |
| caseynrbq 2001-06-09, 2:04 pm |
| Um....yup, that'd be me. I most definitely AM a woman of a certain age....38
Just got my first IT job on a helpdesk recently after completing my A+, Net+, i-Net+ and CIW Associate. Prior to that I was an admin. asst. for a long time, and I agree -- we definitely need more women in this industry.
Diane. | |
| Ladydraconia 2001-06-09, 7:07 pm |
| Hello Ladies!
I'm 44 and am just getting into the computer systems thing- I have been a telephony and data person for about 6 years. While I am re-entering the "techie" world after pregnancy and childbirth- perhaps it would help to know that my baby was my fourth and I'm still plugging and chugging! All the female tecchie types out there give me strength to keep on "keeping on."
Chins up all! : ) | |
| Kartemy 2001-06-10, 4:33 am |
| Ladydraconia,
You deserve a huge round of applause! I have only one child (or two if we count spouses) and going back to school and then holding a job was tough enough. I had to learn to let something go and it ended up being housework.
I love my job but trying to work full time, make sure the family is fed, has clean clothes and don't live in dirt was making me frustrated and angry a lot of the time. So, for the sake of everyone concerned it was time to maybe not notice the lint on the carpet so much.
It is still hard though to remember to take time for me and not spend all my time off trying to catch up on housework, grocery shopping, etc. I would imagine that a lot of you ladies go through the same type of thing. It is stress that we have to learn to let go of because if we don't it will spoil some of the joy and pride in doing a job well and knowing that all those years of cleaning toilets didn't make your brain atrophy!
Have a great day, everyone! | |
| girltecht 2001-06-13, 11:56 am |
| Hello Ladies, and Welcome Kartemy,
Kudos to all of you!!!!!!!! I'm over 30 as well. One of the bigger challenges for me has always been to maintain a healthy balance of career, and home life. I'm not a mom yet, so to all the moms you are the greatest. Parenting is truly "the hardest" job of all.
All the best to everyone....... | |
|
| I am 47 and just finished school with my seocnd degree. I waited until my kids were grown to go back to school. I am currently working on upgrading my WinNT cert. I have been working in IT for about 6 years now. The forum is a great resource but not that friendly sometimes. You have to be careful about what you say sometimes as people take things real personal. At least you were welcomed nicely.
To me it is a good resource for certification and information.
Good Luck | |
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| Try not to take things personally. Although I find this forum reasonably friendly (one of the reaons I have stuck around so long), you will eventually get flamed by some troublemaker. Try not to take it seriously, as lots of folks here really do want to help. | |
| turtle63 2001-06-22, 3:50 am |
| I agree that its a great idea having a forum for Women, not that I've spent much time here lately, have been hanging out more on the Net+ forum as I sit my exam on Thursday, and thats about all I've been doing with my time
And I'm getting nearer the 40 side than 30, but hey who gives a #$%$^^.
I think its the men who normally have the wrong idea about older women entering this industry, but my sis in law who works in a recruitment firm here says a lot of men ask for women in the technician side so there's hope for us yet.
Turtle | |
| Kartemy 2001-06-22, 8:30 pm |
| Hi Turtle,
It's great to see someone else here. I can't be more pleased about this thread. I have got so much response to just this one posting!
My one and only child graduated High school last night. (I just had to throw that in I am so proud!!)
I just got moved from Mircosoft track to Cisco last week, I have to start studying routing and switching now. I wil get a big raise when I go from CCNA to CCNP but the whole Cisco track is intimidating!!
Are any of you doing it?
Let me know what you think, I liked the Cisco I did but it is tough!
Kartemy | |
| charisse 2001-06-25, 8:05 am |
| Hello ladies,
I am an over 35'r. Actually 37. Nice to see us out there in this male dominated early 20's industry. Can be rough competing with guys who grew up putting computers together. I have been in the industry about 6 years and currently work in internet security. Once again, nice to see us out there. | |
| AnyKey 2001-07-03, 7:17 pm |
| Well I'm back after a pretty long absence. This place sure looks different but I see some familiar names. Anyway, here's my little story. I'm 48! I've been in the IT field for about a year. I pretty much do a little of everything being an "assistant MIS director" in a department of 2 for a company of about 60. Not the big time, but hands on experience. I'm not sure if I could've gotten in on my own. My boss is my daughter who pushed me and for me to get out of bartending and into a "real" job! I love computers and got my MCSE last fall, the same time she did. I started with a little contract work that turned into an extended stay. Then they asked me to come back that has turned into another extended stay. Even though I live 3.5 hours away, I decided to do it for the experience and my resume. I understand why companies want experience. You can take all the tests you want, but it's just not the same as the day to day weird problems that you have to fix at a moments' notice. I let people talk me into coming back to bartending too. So I drive home every weekend to do that. So I'm old, female and people still seem to want me. Could be worse. (I don't think they realize). I do work hard and am very young in my mind. Now I'm going for my 2000 cert. That's why I'm back here because I found so much good info last year. Hope I can help some others too. I know I got a break, but I still have to solve the problems and fix what's broken, so!?! You do your best and don't let anything stand in your way!!! Hope this wasn't too long. It's lonely away from home. | |
| zestmode 2001-07-04, 7:50 am |
| Achieved my MBA in 1977 specializing in marketing. Worked in product management, customer service and sold stock. However, last year at age 50 , seeking a career change that would utilize well cultivated soft skills, wisdom, sense of humor, mentoring, and the ability to manage projects I chose the IT arena. I secured my CCNA . I passed partI of the Sun Solaris 7 Systems Administrator exam last week. Next week I will tackle Part II. The forthcoming challenge is the Checkpoint firewall exam,then Windows 2000 Server. In 2002, I will rechannel my focus to the CCNP exams and mastering Linux.
The bottomline is, a woman's success starts with attitude, meeting any objection or roadblock (tech or human), staying current ( in all arenas ), flexibilty and the ability to meet any challenge. | |
| ciscogirl 2001-07-10, 5:58 pm |
| Hi there - I'm yet another newbie/career changer and I'm quite sure I'm the oldest one in this forum. There has always been discrimination and probably always will be. We, as women, know we have to work harder and be better than the men but as luck would have it we usually succeed when we set our minds to something. This year I've gotten my MCSE and A+ certs and am taking my CCNA Saturday. I expect to go all the way. If I can do it then I know you all surely can too. | |
| Nicole 2001-07-10, 6:11 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by ciscogirl
Hi there - I'm yet another newbie/career changer and I'm quite sure I'm the oldest one in this forum.
Now, you can't say that and then not tell | |
| ciscogirl 2001-07-10, 6:26 pm |
| Sorry - 50 on Nov.4th. I have the year off so I haven't started looking for work yet - guess I'll have to cross that bridge later ... | |
| charisse 2001-07-11, 9:57 am |
| Hi,
Just wanted to echo the same in your comment about the male dominance in this industry. We as women must be much better and work twice as hard to raise eyebrows. When you are black female, can be even more difficult. I am the only female in my group and some days can be trying. I work as a firewall engineer and will be taking my checkpoint exams soon. You also can get just as much disrespect from customers who also assume you don't know what you are doing. I just don't take any of it personally. Press on ladies, they will eventually get over it and realize we are here to stay.
charisse | |
| flext 2001-07-11, 10:23 am |
| Hello and welcome to all the newcomers and I hope you ladies don't take offence to this old man(51) posting in your forum
As to women in IT some of my best learning experiences have come from working with lady tech's of all ages..
Now as to you careers changers and those starting out at any age good job and keep at it I know it can be tough as I to changed after 25 years in a totally unrelated profession and at the age of 43, but keep knocking at it and it will happen
keep up the excellent post's in this forum as i do check up on it from time to time
Ed | |
| Ciscogal 2001-07-11, 6:04 pm |
| Hi, I'm another newbie also. Have been following some of your discussions and look forward to commiserating with you all. I just passed the CCNA 2 and hope to start looking for a job soon. If anyone has any advice for job hunting I'd appreciate it.
I have never been on a forum before, so if I step on toes or do things incorrectly please forgive.
Also interested in the over 35 post - enough said about my age.
Good luck to you all. | |
|
| Welcome Ciscogal. Job hunting advise? Apply at any place you can think of that may need techies. | |
| GritsGirl 2001-07-26, 1:36 pm |
| I'm 43 and do not consider myself antique. I'm a classic that withstands the test of time | |
|
| Grits is always a classic, so you have no worries! | |
| GritsGirl 2001-07-27, 6:26 am |
| Thanks! You've made my day! | |
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| Kartemy 2001-07-27, 7:49 pm |
| Welcome Ciscogal,
Congrats on passing the CCNA exam, it is a tough one for sure. I wrote it back in December and the pass was high at 822. Now it's 849!
Anyway, my advice to you is, if at all possible, keep going with your Cisco stuff right up to the CCNP or CCDA or both! I just passed Switching this week and am onto the Routing exam. With your CCNA info still fresh in your mind, you would have no problem continuing on. Switching wasn't bad at all, and its been 7 months since I did any Cisco studying. Well, three more to the CCNP and on.
Good luck with everything! Cisco may just be the best way to go in the IT field right now if you enjoy and have the knack.
Good day to all! | |
| XtremeFighter 2001-08-01, 8:50 pm |
| Congratulations Ciscogal! | |
| lburns 2001-08-05, 8:40 pm |
| hi..I am new to this group..and I am interested in finding out all I can about the IT profession.Presently I will be graduating with my Associate Degree. Small matter I know..compared to what and where some of you have been, but it's a start. I don't know what you all discuss, but I am interested. | |
| The Ghost 2001-08-07, 5:51 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by ciscogirl
Sorry - 50 on Nov.4th. I have the year off so I haven't started looking for work yet - guess I'll have to cross that bridge later ...
My birthday is a day after yours | |
| Kartemy 2001-08-08, 9:30 pm |
| Hi All,
I am so glad to see all of you joining in to this post. This was my first foray into the world of discussion groups and besides a couple of things at the very first I have found this entire site to be interesting reading. I check almost everyday the general discussions and now that I have a specific focus at work I am checking the Cisco groups.
I am now three exams from my CCNP and a major raise at work and I find as I start to prepare for each exam I come here and read the posting about what I am going to be studying.
I don't do dumps, I read the books but I like to have the insight of people who have taken the exams to kind of give me an idea of what I will be facing for each exam.
Ciscogal or any of you going that route, I am happy to share what I have found after each exam for the topics to cover. Just ask!
I am a woman in IT who has just begun and my only child starts university this fall. We are never to old to do what interests us whether we are women in IT or men.
Good luck to you all!
Kartemy |
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