Women in Technology: Meet Claire

Marissa: Tell us your story on how you got into technology?

Claire: As someone who has always been fascinated with communication studies and how humanity interacts, learns, and progresses through the lens of technology, I always knew it would play some sort of role in my career journey – though, I never could have imagined just how integral that role would turn out to be. Out of college I discovered this inquisitive attitude I had toward technology would grow very quickly to aptitude, then proficiency, then to a lifelong passion to pursue an understanding of what makes a wide breadth of technology work, and how to fix it when it breaks. My journey really began on a whim – an application to become a PC tech 10 years ago as a wide-eyed young woman in my early 20s ended up catapulting me into a career with virtually limitless possibilities as a Network Engineer.

Marissa: Did you always know that working in technology was what you wanted to do?

Claire: I didn’t always know that working in technology would be my journey. What I did know, was that whatever I was going to do, I wanted to make an objective difference in the world. I spent a great deal of my adolescence and young adulthood pursuing creative arts and humanities. It wasn’t until later in my education that I realized how integral an understanding of communication and creative thinking was to the troubleshooting process, and what a profound impact a career in tech can make on the communities and individuals we have the opportunity to serve.

Marissa: How long have you been with Dataprise

Claire: 6 months.

Marissa: Can you share a little bit about what it is that you do and what a typical day for you is like?

Claire: Every day begins with a piping hot cup of coconut mocha coffee, which I specify only because it is one of two un-changing factors in any typical day – the other being that no two days in tech will ever be the same. And that’s what is so compelling about this field and working for an MSP in particular, where such a wide variety of hardware and software at your fingertips. Generally speaking though, you can find me on any given day responding to network outages, configuring switches, routers, and firewalls for peak optimization, or collaborating with our team to implement new and solid solutions to any networking issues that arise for our clients.

Marissa: What is one piece of advice you would give to young women looking to get into the technology field?

Claire: Never stop being curious. Take that passion and drive you have for learning and start applying it. It is never too late to start pursuing an endlessly rewarding and challenging career in tech. Technology is starved for female voices in the industry, and our perspective not only matters, but is integral to the success of organizations and communities around the world.

Marissa: What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in the tech industry? What do you wish you had known?

Claire: Speak up. Your ideas are important and your unique perspective is worthy of being expressed.

Marissa: What do you think is the best part of being a woman in the tech industry?

Claire: We have the element of surprise! Gender expectations in society play a role in the careers we choose, and the more we topple the barriers and let our voices be heard in these thriving and critical industries, the more we ALL win.

Marissa: What is it that you enjoy most about your current job at Dataprise?

Claire: There has not been a single day during my time here at Dataprise that I have not learned something new and had the opportunity to grow immensely from it. My work is endlessly challenging, exciting, and cutting edge.

Marissa: Where do you see yourself going from here?

Claire: The possibilities seem endless. I’ve had some incredible female leaders and mentors throughout my career (and here at Dataprise!). They’ve helped mold me into the engineer I am today, and I hope to pay that forward as I work to make my mark in this industry.