Dad's advice followed

Even as a teenager, her father motivated her to "do something with computers" because that was the future. Jennifer trusted her dad and graduated from a technical college specialising in IT (especially as she was guaranteed her first laptop). After graduating from high school, she completed a Bachelor's degree in IT Infrastructure Management (formerly: Internet Technologies) and, after starting her career, two part-time Master's degree programmes in Digital Media and Communication (formerly: Information Media Communication) and Cloud Computing Engineering at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences.

"All of my studies at FH Burgenland have helped me in my jobs," says Jennifer, who has worked in both small and large companies, specialising in layout and design as well as process and software development.

Professionally, she is currently working in the Information Services department at FH Burgenland, developing and enhancing administrative systems, e.g. for student administration, a procurement portal or the Green Check-in developed at FH Burgenland as part of the Covid pandemic.

As a woman, Jennifer never felt exotic, neither at university nor at work. "There were always other women around. I didn't feel any disadvantages and I can't really explain why there aren't more women in the industry."

On the Master's degree programme in Cloud Computing Engineering, she was fascinated by the future-oriented subject matter. "I got to know exciting people and new ways of working in IT."

She finds few differences between male and female specialists in her industry, and these cannot be completely related to gender. Rather, it is the case that we - whether male or female - share many common hobbies and interests.

"My advice to women who are interested in a career in IT is: Do it - IT expertise is in demand in every job these days. And everyone should be able to do what they want."