I am a 2005 graduate of the College of Information with a degree in Information Technology.

As an older returning student I had to balance a full-time job, while raising a family, so I was not what you would consider a "typical" student. I began working when I was 16 years old, and graduated from community college in 1978. Then I settled down to married life. I always wanted to finish my education, but the time never seemed to be right. It was not until I was helping my oldest daughter with the admissions process for college that I decided it was time for me to return to school.

Making the decision to go to college at any age can be frightening. For me, it was because going back to school would mean changing my career path and my life, as well as asking my family to make sacrifices for me. I would be stepping out of my comfort zone and into the unknown.

I had been working for 25 years and my annual salary was less than $25,000. Try raising kids on that kind of pay. Career opportunities and pay scales for women who do not hold a college degree are severely limited. I wanted a real career in a field that would not only increase my earning potential, but also be enjoyable and interesting. I knew that without a college degree, my earnings would never be significant and my future career choices would be very limited.

Factors that I considered in making my decision to major in IT were:

• The program of study would have to be flexible because I had to continue to work full-time, while pursuing my education.
• The area of study needed to be stimulating, interesting, and enjoyable.
• The career path needed to have the potential to yield a significantly higher income, and offer me the opportunity to make a difference.

A degree in IT from the College of Information has opened doors for me both personally and professionally that would have remained closed had I not gotten an education. The College of Information and an IT major trained me to use a user-centered approach to IT rather than systems-centered, and taught me how to look at things from a user's standpoint. The knowledge and experience that I gained in business management and infrastructure, along with experience in leadership, group dynamics, managing IT projects and hands-on training more than adequately prepared me for my career; it also gave me the confidence to go after my dreams. Since internships were not an option for me, the practicum class and iTec Service work experience were an excellent alternative and allowed me to participate in a real life IT settings.

Since graduating, I have obtained a Master's Certificate in Project Management, landed a position as a IT/IS Project Manager with a Fortune 500 company, earned my PMP certification, and, I have more than doubled my salary.

A career as an IT Professional is an excellent choice for women. As a woman, and an IT Professional, I want to encourage you to go after your dreams and pursue your goals. Don't let anyone discourage you because you can do it. I encourage women to choose information technology in the College of Information as their major. Information technology professionals and project managers are in high demand. They are found wherever you find information technology at work: small entrepreneurial businesses; large corporations and consulting groups; non-profit organizations, as well as local, state, national, and international government agencies. The opportunities are wide open, and because technology is always changing, the field will continue to be a viable and smart choice for women