Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1195164
Successful people invest in themselves; what we don't always know right away is exactly how or what investing in ourselves means? A common expres- sion is "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." As with the horse, these opportunities can be right in front of us every day, but it takes action to realize their potential. Investing in my natural talent influences me to be a dreamer and visionary with the power of manifestation, wanting a better life and to contribute to a better world. Pairing this talent with the birth of a millennial, who we all know is so "tech- savvy," paved the way to discovering a passion for technology, particularly in building design and infrastructure. I discovered a talent for futuristic thinking through a leadership class in college where we took the Clifton Strength Test by Gallup. Don Clifton invested his time creating a method that helps people maximize their infinite potential. Clifton invented this test to discover what an individual naturally does best. I used my results to develop my potential in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. This feedback early in my life allowed me not only to know who I am, but who I can become by focusing on my natural strengths. Twelve years ago, with a vision for bet- tering the world through building design, I set a goal of becoming an architec- tural engineer and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering. The Power of Change It's easy to say millennials breathe tech- nology, but this generation is helping to shape the future. We are using futuristic thinking, enabling you to begin your morning with, "Alexa, turn on the news." For technology to better our lives, we need to be optimistic about change. Some people are fearful of the word "change." But the world of technology is changing daily. I have learned that I must invest in myself and overcome my own fear of change to take advantage of new opportunities. My interest in the ICT industry was first sparked while working part-time at a hotel. While working with the hotel operations staff to prepare audio/visual equipment for conferences and events, I saw the need for sophisticated technol- ogy systems within a building. The neces- sity for intelligent buildings paired with integrated smart system design led me More than Words from Women in BICSI "Invest in Yourself" by Heather Randolph, Technology Designer, EXP (continued on page 11) "There is no more effective way to empower people than to see each person in terms of his or her strengths." - Don Clifton ORGANIZATION Page 10