If you’ve read The Phoenix Project (you know, the DevOps novel), then you’ll know what I mean when I say that I’m a bit of a Patty type—art background but having something to contribute to the IT world, just trying to figure out how. So I think the best thing to do is network as much as I can and keep doing projects to find my niche. So far so good—I’m liking it more than I thought I would, honestly. The more small, manageable experiences that I have in the IT world, the less scary and ethereal it seems to me.

When I tell people in my world what I’m doing (re: learning tech stuff), they look at me like I’m crazy, like I’m not being true to myself, as if to say, “But Annie, you’re so creative. Why are you selling out?” But that’s just it, isn’t it? The world has the message that technology isn’t for creative-fuzzy-right-brained types. But it is! When I think about the flexibility and fluidity that is required of organizations employing DevOps practices, I’m convinced that it takes all types of people.

So one day I was reading this blog post by Doug Ireton about encouraging women in DevOps (so good!), and his last point was that the DevOps Days conferences need more women to help run them. So being the doer that I am, I landed myself in the middle of planning for DevOps Days Dallas in September. I’m excited to get to meet so many people and learn about companies that are moving and shaking in the

IT world.

My jobs will be working with sponsors/vendors and throwing a very happy happy-hour, so shout out if you plan to go! And if your company wants to sponsor, all the better! Go here and check out all the sponsorship levels.

Hope to see you there!