not presently

What is your background? What types of degrees, skills, experiences are necessary for this field?

undergraduate liberal arts degree (!!) and some work experience in a software company, then teaching, which I am doing now

How did you get started in this field?

I was actually employed in a completely different field and knew I wanted to be in tech. I did a bunch of "informational interviews" with generous people who told me about their piece of the tech pie. Then I took a few classes and started applying to companies. I was able to leverage my previous career experience by going to work in a software company that made products specific to the industry I had come from.
eventually I got a job training end users and trainers, then I ran the training department, then I took time off to have kids and I worked part time from home writing training manuals and testing software.
I was offered a teaching job by one of the people I'd met years before when I was doing the informational interviews, which worked out great for a couple of years, and now I'm teaching at a college closer to my home.

What college (if any) courses have been most helpful for your career?

None, but some classes at UC Extension were helpful: systems analysis, data communications.

What are your specific responsibilities?

Teaching classes, grading students, that sort of thing.

Describe a typical workday and workweek. What do you do during a typical day?

I work only part time. I prepare lectures, teach classes and run labs, grade classwork and exams.

Name 5-7 job skills that are needed for your job.

Knowledge of several Operating Systems
Knowledge of business applications (e.g., the MSOffice suite)
General computer knowledge (a little of everything)
Teaching or training experience
A little programming is helpful

Are you in a team-oriented position?

Nope. In fact as part time faculty you are practically a non-entity. You really have to work to stay involved with the college.

Do you have flextime? Vacation time? Work at home? Telecommute?

I grade papers and exams at home, but I am not paid for that time.

How many hours per week are expected or warranted for peak performance?

Besides class time (paid time) about an average of another 25% per week.

Are many evenings or weekends required for your job?

I teach day classes but there are many people who teach evenings and a few weekend classes.

How much travel is involved with a job in your field?

None.

Could you give me examples of projects that you are working on?

I am writing a syllabus for the fall semester and playing with a grade spreadsheet to redistribute grades next term.

Could you describe your work settings? Offices, machinery, resources etc.

Classroom, shared faculty office, computer lab

What personal qualities do you think are necessary for someone to be successful in this occupation?

Organization
Willingness to speak in front of a large group (50+ students)
Curiosity - things are always changing, and I like learning new things
Openmindedness
Patience
Enjoying explaining things to people

What is the major challenge you face at work?

Motivating unmotivated students

What aspects of your job do you find most rewarding? (Pros) Least rewarding? (Cons)

Pros: inspiring students, encouraging students
Cons: student discipline is not fun but is a necessary part of the work

Are you confronted with difficult decisions or situations in your position?

Flunking students for cheating - you have to be fairly brave and fairly careful to do this correctly

What is the Female to Male Ratio in your position/field?

More women than men

Describe the changes taking place in your field. Project future trends?

Distance Education, more multimedia education

What is the turnover rate like in your field?

I don't know

Do you think women avoid technical careers? What do you think can be done to encourage girls to get more involved in the technology field?

Strong female examples at all levels.

Do you believe that women will be in more technical jobs in the future?

I sure hope so.

Do you have any advice for women and girls that are interested in going into the field?

Try it. It can be really fun.