Quote

Although I loved working on technology - I've always been a computer geek at heart - my professors encouraged me to get a real-world job working with customers.

I'd always loved technology. It's something I always messed around with in computer labs at school. So I glommed onto it very early as way to differentiate myself in business.

I got lucky because my dad moved us to Silicon Valley before it really was known worldwide as an important tech hub.

I actually love technology. I worked for 18 years as systems analyst in technology.

I had so much fun in early days learning about networking, security, scalability and other geeky stuff.

I started my career as a journalist, writing about science and technology for 'Business Week' magazine. Then I decided to make a career shift. I went to graduate school in computer science, and I began developing educational technologies - in particular, technologies to engage children in creative learning experiences.

Technology is a nerdy field. That's why I called myself a 'geek.' It requires a lot of training and encouragement at a very young age.

I was nerdy and really into computers. I was a good student until my senior year, when I started traveling and had a lot of absences.

I was extremely curious growing up. I taught myself how to sew, French braid, and cook. When I wasn't creating things with my hands, I was learning more about tech. I was experimenting with email at nine, had my first cell phone at 13, and was truly obsessed with the Internet as a teenager.