This March, Women’s History Month celebrates the contributions of women in our society, which are often overlooked. This year we commemorate women’s experiences with a series on Women in Technology at Illinois State! This week’s Women in Tech is Rosie Hauck.
What’s your current position?
I am the executive director for the Office of Advanced Technology Support for Faculty, part of Technology Solutions. My position is a bridge between Academic Affairs and Technology Solutions.
Why did you decide on technology as a profession at Illinois State University?
I originally wasn’t in technology, but it kind of found its way into my life because I happen to spend a lot of time on it, including gaming. I started out as a communication major and utilized communication and technology to interconnect with each other. I started to take more technology classes, and I really enjoyed learning about tech. I found my way into a teaching position, trying to excite other people about technology. I feel like I can really make a difference in people’s lives. I found I could branch out and use some of my skills to make technology more useful, and that’s how I ended up in the position I am in now.
What is the best part of your job?
I deal with projects that bring so many people together from so many different areas of the University, and I get to meet a lot of people across Illinois State University. And it’s always great to meet the people who make the University run in their specific areas.
What impact do you see yourself making as a woman in tech?
So when my current position came up I wasn’t going to apply for it, because I was comfortable being a faculty member. It was actually my teenage daughter who pointed out to me: “Mom, you’re always looking for mentors who are women. If all women turned down opportunities like you’re turning down this one, then of course you’re not going to have women to look up to.” After that, there was no way I couldn’t at least throw my name in the hat, because the sure way to not get a position is to not apply.
My daughter was right. How can I expect her to reach for her goals and dreams if I’m not willing to put my name in the hat? I did look seriously at the position, and I’m so thankful I did. It was a very “a ha” moment. I can now tell my story to other women that, yes, you too can make it!
What barriers do you see for women entering the technology workforce?
We tend to put a lot on our shoulders. And often we have doubts of if we can do things to the level that we want to do things. We bring it upon ourselves to be able to do a good job at work, be a good mother, be able to take care of our parents, and all these commitments that we pile on top of ourselves. It’s a lot of pressure.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self or other women that are entering the tech workforce?
Don’t be afraid. I mean, really. Don’t be afraid.
You have to put yourself out there. I think oftentimes we’re “afraid of failure.” I look back and see all the many things I didn’t do because I was scared of failing or things that I did do but failed and, at the time, I was really disappointed. But looking back, it was a good thing to fail, right? I wouldn’t be where I am if I didn’t fail then. We have nothing to be afraid of because that holds us back. And even if things don’t turn out the way we think we want them to doesn’t mean that’s a bad thing.
And so I would definitely say don’t be afraid of going after opportunities or learning something new, because you never know what doors will open to you, but you also have to put in the effort to make it happen.
It’s so cliche, but you really do only live once. We don’t know how things will turn out, but if you don’t do anything, things will not change.
