BICSI Insider

BICSI Insider Volume 8, Issue 2

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More than Words from Women in BICSI "Acronyms to be Proud of in an Industry Full of Them" By Christy Miller, RCDD, DCDC, RTPM, CT, ESCE, President and CEO of BCL IT Consulting Anyone in the ICT industry knows that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of tech acronyms. As women in the industry, there are a few other acronyms to be pretty darn proud of and that might just help you get a foot in the door—but the rest is up to you. Having the BICSI acronym RCDD after your name brings a certain level of legitimateness to your abilities as a designer in the industry, whether you're a man or a woman. And having multiple BICSI acronyms—DCDC, RTPM, OSP, TECH, etc.—can garner even more respect. But even with these acronyms, we as women seem to be held to a higher standard, and it can be more challenging for us to earn respect than it is for our male counterparts. As women, we often need to be prepared to work harder, work smarter, and produce a better product. Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright once said, "Women have to be active listeners and interrupters—but when you interrupt, you have to know what you are talking about." Even after 30 years of experience, I still find that this holds true. Just recently, I was accused of "pushing back" and not "playing nice" when I stuck to my guns about following industry standards. And it's not just knowing what you're talking about. I believe earning respect also comes with not trying to be "one of the boys" and never putting yourself in a position that can be interpreted as anything other than professional. If you own your own business, other acronyms I recommend include WBE (Women's Business Enterprise), WOSB (Women- Owned Small Business), DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise), and EDGE (Economic Dividends for Gender Equality) that validate a company is at least 51 percent owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman, women, or other socially and economically disadvantaged person. The majority of construction projects, especially federal- or state-funded projects, actually REQUIRE minority participation, with some states requiring their agencies, boards, and commissions to meet a certain percentage of procurement in awarding contracts to certified minority-owned businesses. Combined with your BICSI acronyms, a minority designation can certainly open up opportunities. But as a woman, you still have to work harder to earn the business—it's yours to lose once you get your foot in the door. While acronyms can certainly help women gain respect and succeed in the industry, don't underestimate the power of having mentors—both men and women. If it weren't for my dad and some fine men in our industry who took me under their wings, I would not be where I am today. It was their support that made me want to be more involved in the BICSI organization and ultimately become a master instructor, committee volunteer, and serve on the BICSI Board. And once you're more deeply involved in the organization, even more doors will open for you to get your foot in so you can start doing the hard work. ORGANIZATION Page 12

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