I accepted that I really liked machines about 3 years ago, bought my first pc (MAC user and Chinese language and literature teacher before that), took a PC service and support class, took the summer off to deal with the death of my husband, took a W2K class, and walked into a job at the school in my own town (something or someone was looking out for me that day). Loving my job, raising my two kids and trying to get my MCSE before I turn 50. Three tests to go.

Also, not surprisingly, dealing with being the only "lady" in my IT group. One user used to refer to me as "that woman," as in "that woman was here working on my computer." Am amused at how middle-aged men obsess about their weight and learning what does or doesn't constitute an insult and acceptable behavior in the guy world. Verbal stuff is okay, but political innuendos of the nonverbal can catch you offguard. Had a tough time recovering from a complete misreading of my motives once (was trying to take on the physical grunt work of a move since my peer worker hates it and my network manager is overworked -- turned out the latter thought I wasn't keeping him informed of significant changes in the network. Ouch.) And you?

Report this post to a moderator

Learn from mistake or mis-communciation or ... Don't let it get you.

As long as you doing the job right.

__________________
Kill All Suffer 2 Reborn

Report this post to a moderator

I get overwhelmed with the task of studying, training, and trying to find my career track at age 44, when most of my friends are discussing early retirement. My husband always had the good job, and I stayed at home with our kids and did artwork and signpainting.
Then my husband had a back injury that prevents him from working. Wow, do things change. I had only my high school diploma and some talent for art, and could not find a job. I struggled with the decision of technical school or college, chose vo-tech because I thought it would prepare me for a job quicker.
I started with business tech for 2 semesters, and then went on to information tech, and am totally wrapped up in it. I would much rather hook up someone's computer than to answer a phone and type all day.
Little did my daughter know what she was starting when she gave me my first computer 4 years ago!
And when I read of the strength of women like the first post above, I am inspired!

Report this post to a moderator

Hey, nice to know there are other career changers out there. I followed my military husband around for years, raising children and having to start over in the workplace every four years. I was an office administrator for the last five years when we moved again. This time I said "No way will I start over again". I loved working with the computers at my office jobs and have a technical background as well (ex-military) and knew that this was something that I could do. The one thing I really love about IT is the fact that there's always more to learn....it's never boring. I was very fortunate to get my first IT job right out of school and have been there now for five months. I've learned an amazing amount but since I was also hired on my bookkeeping and admin background I have to constantly fight to make sure I get to do the tech stuff too. I've made it very clear to my boss that I DO NOT intend to sit at a desk and he's been very receptive. Good luck to all you out there but don't forget that the skills you already possess will sometimes push you ahead of the other people vying for the same job.

Report this post to a moderator

It's great to know that women are doing what some constitute as a "Man's Job". I've been in the IT business for about 4 years now working as a Network Administrator. I got sold with a company that did not have an Administrator, and I can't say the exprience hasn't been overwhelming at times, but I love it. I started out programming in VB, but love the technical/network much better. I'm getting older and want to continue working in this field.

Good luck to all of you on your adventures in IT.

Report this post to a moderator

Bravo, am so proud to "know" women are doing this, Screeeech.. I have been in Telecom for some time, now, and would like to stay home and spend a year off with my son doing the "Womans job" (just kidding) a parents job. It is always a challenge working with others, but you young ladies making this field a career is awesome, hope you folks love it the way I do.. Good Luck

__________________
It is not what you know, but knowing where to get the answer.

"Cest' Poulet"

Report this post to a moderator

MaulerJ, you may need to shine up your skills in "political correctness", as it may not always be good to assume that women in IT are young or are ladies...
I, myself, fall into neither category, and don't like it wagged in my face, intentional or otherwise. Are you a sweet young thing, all full of testerone????? See how it goes? You may not mean to be derogatory, but we, as women, take it as such. Dig? It's just the nature of the BEAST.

Report this post to a moderator

I never never meant anything with bad intentions,(at least not to you folks) I meant only to say, this is a great field, and I am glad to see more women moving into it. As a former military person, I have had to work with every walk of life male, female, heck even some you can't tell, lazy, hard workers, brains, brainless.....

Getting carried away, I was just trying to get some feedback from you guys/gals (sheesh being PC is hard) on thoughts about a man staying home with the kiddos, while the wife is out earning the bread.

P.S. Loopbacklady, are you my wife, cause each time you write back, you always seem to be on my a$$, LOL,

__________________
It is not what you know, but knowing where to get the answer.

"Cest' Poulet"

Report this post to a moderator

MaulerJ, my humblest apologies.

I guess it's my nature to pick on nice fellas, cause the nice ones won't get vicious.

Sorry.



(where's that thread about hangovers, anyway? I got one to rate today! )

Report this post to a moderator

From one ex-military person to another (that's right...armament) I too have had to work with a whole hockey sock full of "interesting" people. And, as you've pointed out, laziness has no gender barrier. However, what I know about a woman working in a non-traditional field (lots of experience there) is that me as a woman have had to work twice as hard to be half as good (that's in other people's eyes). It would be the same as if you were to stay home to mind the children....anytime they went to school looking a little unkept, it would be "because their mom works you know". Believe me, we get it coming and going. But, that's ok....I love what I'm doing. All I meant is that I'm not a girlie girl (and that designation is in my mind only), never will be and never have been and I'm proud of it!!!!

Report this post to a moderator