4. Who has been the most influential person in your life? Why?
I have had many teachers that have influenced me greatly, but clearly
the most influential people in my life have been my parents.
They taught me that there is "no such thing as 'can't'." They instilled
in me that I was capable of doing anything I set my mind to. They
encouraged me to take chances and simply to try my best at whatever I
attempted. They supported my decisions, no matter how treacherous they
perceived them, and applauded even when I achieved less than I had
intended. They taught me to be self-sufficient - a survival skill that
yields great accomplishments or severe isolation, if not applied well.
My mother taught me how to create things out of any resources I had
available - a skill I use handily at work and at home to this day.
In a very tangible way, they taught me that from a vision I could create
anything in my mind's eye.
Both of them modeled hard work and determination. Together, in all that
we did, endurance, perseverance and end results were all that mattered.
5. What lessons have you learned that would be valuable to women beginning their careers in technology?
Lessons I'd like to impart:
- Integrity and reputation are all that you take with you when you leave a
company. Value those and you will do well.
- Work for companies that value skills, competence and contribution. Glass
ceilings do not exist at such companies. Life is short, work there.
- Focus on what you need to do to be a better person, a better contributor
to the company and to society. All the rest will follow.
6. What new technology do you believe will have the most positive impact on the world in the next 20 years? The most negative impact?
Broadband communications will have a huge impact on the efficiency and
accessibility of information. Internet effectiveness will be positively
impacted in all areas - work, play, life and learning. The risk, of
course, is that as we become more and more dependent on such
technologies (as we will in the course of 20 years), we will become more
and more inept in human interactions and personal relationships. The
challenge is to manage that.
Linda Drumright answers these questions:
1. What was your first job in technology?
2. Who has been your most significant mentor? Why?
3. What has been your greatest challenge and what strategies did you use to overcome obstacles?
4. Who has been the most influential person in your life?
Why?
5. What lessons have you learned that would be valuable to
women beginning their careers in technology?
6. What new technology do you believe will have the most positive
impact on the world in the next 20 years? The most negative impact?
On the lighter side:
1. If you could have dinner with any 2 people (living or not),
who would they be?
2. What was the last book you read? What books do you love to recommend?
3. If you couldn't do what you are doing now, what profession would you choose?
4. What is your definition of success?