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Years in high tech: 15 Years In college I majored in Computer Information Systems because I thought I wanted to be a computer programmer. I completed the degree, with a minor in Technical Writing, but by graduation, was more interested in the end-user side of technology work than in becoming a Programmer. So, I looked for jobs doing Technical Writing with computer companies and found a good fit at a company called Intergraph Corp., in Huntsville, AL. At that time, Intergraph's business was to design and manufacture its own hardware and software. I worked 7 years at Intergraph, and had opportunities to move around in various positions related to technical support These included Documentation, Training, Technical Support, Software Testing, and Project Management. The variety was great! While some of the support and testing work bordered on programming, the work was more focused on trying to t1elp people use technology more effectively I which was exactly what I liked. After 7 years in Huntsville, I wanted to move to another area of the country, and found a very similar job in Boston, MA, working for the Christian Science Church headquarters, where the Christian Science Monitor newspaper is published. There, I was a member of the Information Technology Department started as a Trainer/Support Staff member I and later moved into Management of the Technical Support and Training Staff. After 6 years, of working in an Information Technology arena, I
was ready for a change, and looked to the non-profit technology
world. There, waiting to be discovered was a movement called "Community
Technology Centers" where individuals who live below the poverty
level can come for free Internet access and free computer training.
The Cruz Computer Learning Center, where I currently work, is located
in a neighborhood of Boston where crime is high and employment is
low. In the non-profit world, staffing is very limited. As the only
staff member at the Cruz Computer Learning Center, I manage the
center, teach computer classes, schedule and run special events,
maintain the computer equipment, write for grants, and do all advertising/promotions.
While the non-profit world does not pay highly compared to the high
tech world, the work is very creative and rewarding.
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