Alumni Profile “WHERE ARE THEY NOW?” What advice would you give to someone considering undertaking this study path? There are thousands of different aspects of IT as an industry and it needs all kinds of people. If you enjoy the idea of ‘how things work’ then there is no limit to the interesting ideas and concepts you will get to discover. Then you can specialise but it’s ok to change your mind when something else comes along!
JULIE HINTON What Year did you graduate? 1976 What study did you undertake after Year 12? In 1977 I studied Applied Science – Computing for a year at Caulfield Institute of Technology (now Monash University Caulfield campus). Then, when I was 36, after the birth of my third child, I studied Information Management at Monash University to better understand internet technologies and data management.
10 Always Aloysius – Winter Edition, 2020
What influenced your choice of career? When I was sixteen years old I had a holiday job at a computer processing bureau in Port Melbourne. I was supposed to do filing and data entry. Even though I did typing as a subject at school I was not very fast so I asked a lot of questions of the programmers and was fascinated by their answers. I got to find out about all the different types of computing jobs not just programming. From time to time I would have to go into the main IBM computer room and when I saw those massive 370 series boxes I was hooked! I suppose you could call it work experience but I got paid which was also important. Study/career/travel highlights Following my first computer course I embarked on a 40 year career in IT. I have worked in industries such as, banking, telecommunications, finance and tertiary education. When I was 23 I was promoted to a big bank’s Technical Training and Development team, I was the youngest and the first female. A few years later I became the manager of that team.
Throughout my 20’s I travelled Europe and many Asian countries but I really enjoy South Korea and Japan and went again last year in winter to ski Furano in Japan for my 60th birthday! I would love to live anywhere is Japan for a while or Busan in South Korea. What skills have you learnt? Leadership, Leadership, Leadership! I made the mistake early in my career to believe the narrative that you have to be aggressive to lead. I have been on so many expensive management/leadership courses (paid for by my employers), however to be a strong leader, you will need to be kind and compassionate and put people before things. These characteristics are not weaknesses. You will find that it is the people issues that will take the most time not the projects or tasks. For example, if a team member comes to discuss a problem personal or otherwise, they are the most important person in the room. Listen to them and work through problems together allowing them to make their own decisions whilst facilitating what they may need to assist them. What has been the biggest challenge you’ve overcome? When I started working full-time, I lived my life to excess for years before I understood that it does not bring happiness or contentment or contribute positively to those around you. In other words, do what is the next right thing and be true to yourself even if it means leaving others behind. Only good will come of this and you may influence others through leading by example.
