Pathways: Just a Few Questions

I asked some women in the field to respond to a series of questions about how they got started, what they are doing now, and what they like about their profession. Here are their responses:

Name and Occupation	Jennifer, a Software Engineer	Katja, a Software Systems Engineer	Jennifer, a Software Quality Engineer	Barbara, a Project Manager
When did you first encounter computers? What did you like about them?	My first memorable exposure to computers was when my older brother graduated from college. I was bored hanging around campus, so my brother parked me in front of a VT100, logged me into the DEC PDP 11 as guest, and showed me the text-based game Adventure. (xyzzy)	My first exposure to computers was a high school BASIC class in 1975. Punch tape and mainframes. I was the only girl in the class. There were not enough terminals, so we were paired up. I don't believe I ever touched the keyboard, I watched my (male) partner program. At 15, I was not conscious of any problem with this. My second exposure to computer was as a keypunch operator and general dogsbody in a Dept of the Army internship in 1980. I was so bored I started reading everything I could get my hands on about the personnel information system we were tending,and was hooked.	I was in 6th grade. My elementary school got some Apple IIs. I got to do some things on them. Programming is fun. It was neat getting the computer to do what I wanted.	My first exposure to computers (except in SF and the news ) was in 1972 after I had been hired by the Department of Defense as a Computer Programmer. My job interview went something like: "We have an opening for a computer programmer" "You're out of your mind! Nice meeting you." "I'd like to hire you." "Why?" Turned out I was very good at it. Of course, it was mainframes then -- I first got a PC at work in the early 80s.
What do you do now with computers?	I'm a software engineer. I write database reporting applications, mostly the connectivity layer.	I am now a software systems engineer in an aerospace company. I no longer program, but do high level systems design work for satellites.	I am a Software Quality Engineer.	I mostly manage projects. I'm very involved in concepts and requirements, somewhat involved in design and QA. I miss writing code.
What is your favorite part about what you do?	I've always been someone who can't resist a good puzzle. Solving a bug in the code or adding an enhancement to the existing architecture is basically one interesting puzzle after another.	Automating manual work. Anything that is going to be done twice is worth automating.	I break things and I don't have to fix them. Seriously, instead of focusing on making the product, I focus on how to make it a good product. I like that focus.	I'm good at it... I spent many years fighting to remain a technician; it was a surprise to find I'm a good (and well liked) manager.
Have there been times when it has been tough to be a woman involved with computers?	Rarely. I've had one coworker who admitted he didn't think much of women in engineering. (And that he didn't think much of minorities, either.) Two things got me through that (thankfully) temporary assignment. First, I did my job undisputably well, and saved his project. Second, I didn't take his comments seriously. Humor can be very helpful when dealing with idiots. I called him old-fashioned. (Not stupid or bigotted.) I had great fun proposing that the department hire a minority female to spice up the department and watching his reaction.	The only time I experienced overt discrimination was when I was in graduate school specializing in parallel algorithms and theory, an especially male-dominated area of computer science. Most of the barriers are very, very subtle and attitudinal.	Yes and no. Certainly, I have been in situations where there were very few or no women both in school and in work. But no one ever made me feel like that should bother me. The only thing about it that bothered me is that I bet lots of women are missing out on some great opportunities.	Not for me -- I've been very lucky.
Do you have any advice for women who are getting into them now?	I don't really have any advice specifically for women in computer science fields. For computer geeks in general, I'd say it's a broad field of study. Figure out what things really interest you. Is AI more fun than database engineering? Do you have more fun with web-based applications or control systems?	Self-confidence is essential. Do not look around and count how many people there are who are like you; the answer is going to be very few. If you enjoy the field, assume that you can do it.	Go For It! It's a great career. The work is interesting and diverse and software folks are needed.	It's a whole new world -- I'm a dinosaur.

This website is maintained by pathways@wheatoncollege.edu. This page was last modified on March 7, 2005.