BLUF: This is a brief writing about things that resonated with me with our guest speaker, Doris Locking.

Important skills

One thing that resonated with me was the skills she listed. One was being able to translate IT jargon into normal English. Another was being able to negotiate; as IT, we know what is needed, but a business can only afford so much.  The third most important skill is thinking outside the box, as software advances, medical software becomes outdated, but it’s too expensive or risky to replace, so one has to work around that and be able to secure it in a way that’s still accessible to staff members.

Career expectations

Locking has had a colorful career. She originally wanted to be a grade school teacher, then joined the Navy and had several career shifts before landing where she was. This reminds me not to have strict expectations for my career and to not stress over where I am or where I’m going because I will eventually find something that works for me. Take chances on things that might not seem traditional. Which helps relieve anxiety for the future.

What to know to be successful

AI is an unfortunate part of life that’s only becoming stronger and more integrated. So, she emphasized learning about AI as it progresses to better secure it in the long run. She also emphasized that patient safety is always the number one priority, especially with internal technology like a pacemaker or an insulin pump/monitor.

Conclusion

Locking was a very appreciated speaker, discussing important skills for the field, what to expect when searching for a career, and what knowledge or principles are important for success.