I am a 31-year old woman and a late bloomer in the world of IT and technical support. I didn’t touch a computer until I was 20 and didn’t “officially” work in technical support until I was hired in my current position, where I’ve been for a year. It was only my interest in computers and technology *outside* of my previous career that gave me the skills necessary for my current job.
However, I when I talk to men in my age group I hear about how they have been working with computers since their teens which gives essentially gives them a 15-year head start on the experience curve.
This is the reason why I think there are really few women working in significant positions in IT/Tech these days. If you missed out on that long experiencecurve, you’re a little screwed.
Even if you’re an undergrad working on a CS degree, it’s the years spent tinkering that really count.
What do you think?
