Women in Technology: Meet Bethany

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

Bethany: About two years ago I applied with Dataprise and was offered a job within the Human Resources department. Unfortunately, I had already accepted another position and couldn’t come onboard at the time. I knew I was I intrigued by the work Dataprise did in the IT space and that at some point I was determined to come back and work for this company when the timing was right. Technology has always interested me.

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

Bethany: I have always enjoyed technology, but I never thought I would actually work with it so keenly. Growing up my dad always worked with computers. I could type before I could write. My dad would give my sisters and I computers in pieces and have us put them back together on his office floor. It was always encouraged to at least understand the basics of how everything worked.

Marissa: How long have you been with Dataprise? 

Bethany: Just about three months. 

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

Bethany: As an Account Manager at Dataprise, I have a book of business which is filled with current Dataprise customers. My role is to be the main Point of Contact (POC) for all of my customers and aid in both developing their technological environment and resolving any issues they may have. A typical day is very customer service heavy with a wide range of meetings, phone calls, researching, emails, and administrative work involved.

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

Bethany: Technology is fascinating, and it is always growing and changing. You will never get bored and there will always be plenty of job opportunities. Don’t be afraid to try something new.

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

Bethany: I think before starting in an Account Management role within the tech industry, you should ask to shadow someone, to ensure you have a good understanding of what a normal day looks like. It is a fast-paced environment which requires a strong commitment to learning and a lot of passion and energy in order to succeed. Also, I wish I had become ITIL 4 certified prior to working in this industry, as it has proved to be incredibly helpful.

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

Bethany: The best part of being a woman in the tech industry is being able to take what I have learned and explain it to my non-technical female friends and seeing that lightbulb go off in their head.

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

Bethany: I enjoy the encouragement to dive in deep within technology. No one ever tries to hold back any type of knowledge. My brain is always incredibly active and continuously learning. I love the fast-paced environment.

Marissa: Where do you see yourself going from here?

Bethany: My short-term goal is to manage a team of Account Managers. I like to teach, train, problem solve, and help individuals grow. From there it would be to develop my skills and expand my knowledge into other roles within Dataprise. My long-term goal is to open an HR consulting firm where I am hired by companies to help construct their policies and procedures. Ideally, it would be technology based and my hope would be to partner with Dataprise and have my clients utilize Dataprise as their MSP!