After more than 25 years in the information technology world, I look back and still truly believe that information technology is one of the best careers for women. However, it’s still not always the first one girls think of and one of my personal missions is to change that. I believe women have a lot to offer the world of IT just as quickly as they get past any apprehensions they have about the career.

I must admit, for me, I did not choose a career in IT. I started out as an accounting major, which was an interesting choice for me, since I am a friendly extrovert who would rather be working with people than numbers on a page.  So, the second year in college I decided to switch my major to Information Technology. One of my first Information Technology courses was a Cobol programming class.  I had a rock star professor. He challenged me like never before and made me see that IT was all about problem solving. I realized that my mind worked very logically, and IT was therefore a good fit for me. I believe I share this characteristic with many, many women. We are logical, multi-tasking, problem-solving beings who can do great things in the world of IT.

But as a young woman contemplating a future career in IT, there are some things to know about the profession. These are many of the reasons I do believe IT is one of the best careers for women.

IT Isn’t Just for Men.

Even with all the progress women have made in the workplace we are still often taught to be teachers, homemakers, social works, artists, etc. IT still doesn’t top the list of dreams parents have for their daughters. However, young ladies should pay attention to the qualities they have that that make a good IT project manager within them. They will validate IT as a good career choice.

In my case, from a young age I was always a “fixer” and intrigued with the way things function.  My mom tells me when I was little, and we went to the store, I would tie the mannequin’s shoes if they were unlaced. If something was broken, I would try to fix it because I was intrigued with how things function. In college, I identified an affinity for IT and the fact that I had a mentality that fit the profession. I liked computers and keyboards. These were all signs that the IT profession was for me. Pay attention to those qualities deep down inside. They may be spurring you on to a life in IT!

Yes, there are more men than women in IT. But that is changing…slowly. It is also something I am committed to help change! Men have a head start on this profession. We are latecomers, which means we may have to work a little harder and smarter to get our due. The important thing is not to let the male-heavy side of IT flip you off the teeter-totter entirely. We need women to stay there and press on to inspire others and bring the industry into balance.

You will be challenged.

The reality is that the career is challenging whether you are a man or a woman. If you are looking for a job that offers more or less the same set of activities every day, becoming an IT project manager may not be for you. For example, working on a networking challenge, you may start in one place, sure of the path you are taking, and end up someplace entirely different. You need to have that flexibility that comes with knowing the solution is out there. It’s up to you to accept the challenge and find it.

Opportunities abound in IT.

For women, as well as anyone entering the IT world, there are many different types of jobs you can have that will mesh with your personality and experience. I started out in IT as a developer, but it did not fit my personality. It was more of an individual job and with my communicative nature, I am better suited to the project manager role. Like working alone? Being a developer or network analyst may be for you. Like puzzles? Concerned about security? You could pursue a career in cybersecurity. There are many opportunities within the industry and the sooner you know your final destination in IT, the more quickly you can make your way there.

You Will Get Better with Experience.

In the world of IT, we tend to work our way up. Nobody jumps out of college into a high-level project manager position. You will most likely achieve your goals in steps, and you should have an end goal in mind, a sense of what you are working towards. My first jobs were at a help desk and the registration office at a college.  But I had a goal and I stayed focused on it. Like a runner pushing onto the next visual goal to motivate themselves to keep going, I dreamed of becoming an entrepreneurial project manager. However, it involved additional education, so I worked full-time while pursuing my MSMIS in Information Technology. It wasn’t easy. There were nights I slept only four hours but I persevered and kept my mind fixed on the next milestone…the next class..the next exam…and finally,  the degree itself. My determination helped me complete it in a year while working full-time.

Be Prepared to Work.

I used to have very long days when I was traveling as a consultant. IT requires a big commitment and often, sacrifice away from home and family. It may take endless hours to debug a single program. However, believe that in the end it will help you get to your goal. The 8-5 jobs may not be available until you are in higher management. However, people in IT are generally paid well. It’s best to learn as much as you can in your early years and continue to take those small steps towards your goals.

IT is one of the best careers for women who are logical, love to solve a good problem and who are committed to the industry. If that sounds like you, maybe you’ll be the next great woman in IT!