Sherrie Burke
Network Administrator, 47 years old, Caucasian, $50,000 to $80,000
Sherrie had spent several years working as a bookkeeper, and making what she calls
“a minimal wage.” A little more than eight years ago, she went through a divorce,
and suddenly found that her wages were no where near enough to support Sherrie and
her 12-year-old son, while holding onto their house. She decided she needed a total
career change. “I just went to Germanna Community College,” she says “and asked ‘what
can I get into?’” The school counselors recommended she try computers, so Sherrie
enrolled in night classes to find out more.
Susan
Collicott
Product Support Engineer/Network Administrator,
35 years old, Caucasian, $30,000 to $60,000 While
in college, Susan Collicott took a part-time job
in the campus computer lab and soon left her engineering
program to work with her new-found love, computer
networks.
Michaele Cormier
Systems Engineer III, 39 years old, Caucasian
“Get the best credentials you possibly can,” Michele says, “because you’re going to need
them.” Despite the hours and dedication it takes to earn your credentials, she insists,
“it’s definitely worth it. The freedom that you have, knowing that no matter what happens
I can support my family, I can take care of myself, I can make my own way in the world is
absolutely worth it.”
Mary
T. Dugan
Computer Lab Assistant / Student, 39 years old,
Caucasian, $35,000 to $100,000+ Computer Science
student Mary Dugan had no knowledge of computers
when she entered community college, but now this
single mother of four boasts a 3.8 GPA and works
at her campus computer lab.
Cordella Grimes
District Wireless NEtwork Administrator & Cisco Academy Instructor, 37 yeras old, African
American, $40,000-50,000 After 8 years in the field, Cordella is getting her B.S. in
Electrical Engineering
Lucy Lora
Network Support Technician, 28 years old, Latina, $35,000 – $45,000
“Although it’s hard at times,” Lucy says, “if it’s something you really like,
I would say to just go for it. Give it a try.” Her own accomplishments have
taught Lucy not to be afraid of a challenge. “You have to study and you have
to prove yourself … to make a name for yourself,” Lucy says.
Carolina
Pezua
Computer Science Engineer, 36 years old, Peruvian/Latina,
$45,000 to $70,000 Originally from a mountain village
in Peru, Computer Science Engineer Carolina Pezua
worked long hours in the restaurant industry for
12 years before she was able to find the time to
become Microsoft Networking Technology certified.
Colleen Smith
PC Technician, 37 years old, Caucasian, $24/hour and up ($50,000)
“My advice for women is not to be intimidated,” Colleen says. “It is a different
world, but it’s very reachable for women. And because we are multitasking individuals,
I think we can use our abilities as women to bring a different approach to the technical field.”
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College
Put Off for High-Tech Detour: Diploma in hand, grads
favor good pay
Not every student is ready for a four-year college
experience after high school; they are putting off
higher education for high-paying jobs in high-tech
fields.
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