Can you share your journey with us and what inspired you to pursue a career in this industry?
When I started college, I didn’t really have a clear path ahead of me. I was pursuing a mathematics degree solely due to a love of mathematics and hoping along the way I’d figure out what I wanted to do. The school I attended, Sam Houston State University, had a graduate degree in Digital Forensics, which sounded intriguing. After some undergraduate digital forensics courses, I decided to pursue the topic further via graduate school and intended to make a career out of it. During my first summer in graduate school, I was selected for a Cyber Security internship, working as a security analyst. That internship eventually led to a job, and I have been in the industry ever since.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in IT?
While I’ve never faced any major discrimination, the main challenge has just been finding peers in a male-dominated industry. I’ve had some amazing male colleagues throughout the years, but I have not often had female coworkers, which creates a sense of feeling like the odd one out. The way I choose to overcome this is by essentially representing females in the environments I work in and doing my absolute best to show that there is no reason that the industry needs to be dominated by males.
What unique contributions do women bring to the IT field?
It is a known fact that women and men think differently. Regardless of how this may manifest itself, when we look at technology-related challenges the more points of view we can get, the more efficiently we can problem-solve. This is why diversity, not just of gender but in all aspects, is so critical to creating a successful organisation in the industry.
How can the tech industry better support and encourage gender diversity and inclusion?
The time has come to shatter the stigma surrounding gender in the tech industry. Gender should not be a factor when it comes to computer-based jobs, as there is no inherent difference between men and women that would make one gender better suited for these roles. We must educate everyone, particularly young girls, about this fact. At SANS, we’re committed to promoting gender equality in cybersecurity and other male-dominated industries. Our programmes have been designed to encourage and empower women to explore career opportunities in this field. By breaking down stereotypes and promoting inclusivity, we can create a brighter future where all voices are valued within the industry.
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