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Women in IT: Catherine Jaktman

01.05.2006
Dr Catherine Jaktman has been working in IT for more than 15 years and wears many hats: Australian Computer Society (ACS) vice president (only the second female to hold the role in 15 years), ACS Canberra branch chairperson and casual lecturer and principal of Nordic Technology. Jaktman holds a BA in Mathematics, MS in Computer Science and a PhD in Computer Science Engineering and has worked on projects in the US, Sweden, Hong Kong and New Zealand. She hopes to be a role model for other women in IT, and believes it is a shame that females are still not encouraged to choose technology-based careers.

What and where was your first job in IT?

My first job was as a Fortran 77 programmer in the actuarial of a large insurance company in Boston. I stayed for about one year before I went to work as a programmer for a major bank, also in Boston. I was then recruited for an IT position in banking in Sydney, and I am still in Australia today.

Why were you interested in studying IT?

Looking back to when I entered IT at uni, I am not sure if I was interested in 'technology' or interested in the career prospects that it enabled and the opportunities that studying technology provided, such as being able to work in different industries and countries.

Do you recall being either encouraged or discouraged as a school student to take on a career in IT?