I.T. helps in more than one way
by Alexandra Brown
Allisyn Ramm wants everyone to know that Information Technology is not just about computers, it’s about helping people.
The Masters of Business Information Systems student (pictured), is passionate about her chosen career and has been recognised for her outstanding achievement and leadership qualities with a Leadership Award from multinational IT giant, EDS.
Coincidentally, the 21 year-old became interested in a career in IT after attending a forum at EDS while she was still in high school. The forum involved her working in a team to develop a tool that scans books and reads them aloud for the blind.
"The response that we got from the community for our invention was overwhelming," Ramm said.
"So I thought, ‘okay now I’m going to show the world that IT is just not about computers, it’s more about helping people and assisting those who need it’."
Ramm completed a double degree in Business (Management of Information Technology) and Administrative Management at the end of 2008 after initially commencing a straight IT degree.
"The IT degree got really technical and then I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do – I didn’t want to sit in a room programming code all day.
"My view is that you’ve got to enjoy what you do and be passionate about it or else why bother?"
Choosing to work in a male dominated field might seem like taking the hard road for some, but not Allisyn Ramm – for her it’s just another chance to prove herself.
"I do tend to be the organised one, especially when I’m doing lots of assignments with boys," Ramm said.
"I have found that when doing industry placements, it’s very male dominated and it is hard because you have to find a way for them to accept you, but I’ve been managing okay with that."
Ramm feels that the group work she has done at UniSA has been great for developing her leadership skills and the degree has given her great flexibility to achieve her goals.
"I have been able to go out into the industry during my study and get experience. It hasn’t just been all course work," she said.
"Also the core courses that we’ve done have been so fun - I’m sounding really nerdy here but I really enjoyed it."
In the future Ramm still dreams of helping people and plans to become a business analyst so she can use her IT knowledge to increase productivity.
"I want to be able to go into a business and say ‘well this is how it can be done, this is how it can be better, this is how you can use IT better, and this is how I can help you do it better’," Ramm said.
"So it’s still about helping people."