Glynis Alexander-Tam is the General Manager of InfoLink Services Limited and has been in the technology industry for over twenty-five years.
A lifelong learner she believes that:
- Every day presents an opportunity to learn and share knowledge.
- Every person on the team has a value proposition and the potential to excel.
- The organization will succeed if everyone succeeds.
An experienced and passionate project manager, she is a member of the local PMI Southern Caribbean Chapter and has recently served as the chapter’s president.
A UWI alumni with degrees in Physics and Engineering and a MBA (Finance & Marketing) from ALJ Institute of Business she is ardent believer in the power of volunteerism. She is a member the Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago is currently manages a Cub Pack in San Fernando.
1. What first sparked your passion for the tech industry?
My very first programmable calculator.
2. Did you face any challenges being a woman in tech? If so, how did you manage to solve them?
Surprisingly no, it was back in the 1990’s there were not that many women in the field, I would go on site visits and for years I was the only woman in attendance that was not in sales. I never got anything other than respect from anyone.
3. What do you think is the best part of being a woman in the tech industry?
The knowledge acquired was phenomenal because my specialty was Layer 1, 2 and 3 of the OSI model therefore the interactions were wide and varied in terms of the subject matter experts and their disciplines across various sectors and countries. I have always enjoyed the work which sometimes required physical labour as equipment, cables and tools did not move themselves and there is no price to be placed on the experiences gained in designing and implementing IT networks and the project management skills acquired.
The best part really came many years later as I met more women who wanted to be part of this environment and I recognized that being in the field encouraged them to participate.
4. Why do you think it’s important for more women to join the tech industry?
This industry is no different to any other industry as there needs to be balance in the work place, as successful businesses thrive when embracing diversity.
5. List 3 top skills young women need to excel in tech.
- Critical thinking
- Project Management
- Time management
You do not have to have a STEM background to get into technology, let us kick that myth out of the door.
6. Do you think enough is done to help women get into the tech industry in Trinidad and Tobago? If not, what would you recommend?
Young girls should be exposed to what are the technology career possibilities early in their life. There should be more work done by professional technology associations in schools in career fairs throughout the country not only in the town areas. Partner with churches and other social groups to make it happen. GO where young people like to “lime” like in the malls.
7. What advice would you give to young female professionals starting in tech?
- Be prepared to be flexibility and ensure that you have a strong support system, particularly if you have young families. There are going to be many late nights and weekends of work.
- Open mind and a willingness to explore and learn new things.
- The learning never stops so embrace it.
- Commit to working effectively and pay attention to details.
- Most importantly set your professional standards to the highest level integrity immediately on starting (this goes for any career choice). This is why I never had any challenges as a woman in the industry.
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