Meet a Member – Dr Marilyn Wells

Highlights

  • In this week’s edition, we meet ACS Branch Executive Committee Member and former head of the ICT School for CQU, Marilyn Wells. Read about Marilyn’s impressive career journey from accountancy and championing the needs of SMEs into academia, where she was until recently Head of the ICT School at CQU.

1. Tell us about your tech career journey highlights to date?

I started out as an accounts clerk and thought my career was heading in that direction. I did start an accounting degree but wanted a challenge and my observation was that IT could offer this, especially as I became involved in analysing data. Mind you, this was decades ago, and I became a skilled end user and implementer of ERP systems. I eventually became a consultant to SMEs about ERPs and installed, implemented, and trained staff. My foray into accounting enabled me to understand organisational systems and process needs. I became an agent of change in the SMEs that I worked with and eventually gained my doctorate based on my experiences with organisations undergoing change through the implementation of new and systems.

Around 25 years ago I stepped into academia and recently ended my career as Head of College – Information and Communications Technology at CQUniversity with responsibilities for staff and program/course delivery of ICT on six campuses from Cairns to Melbourne. A major change I implemented was the inclusion on unit profiles/course outlines of SFIA codes that contribute to careers. For example, a unit pertaining to introduction to cyber will not qualify you to work in the discipline, but it does contribute to a career in that discipline. I also introduced specified minors to the ICT courses thereby enabling students to achieve a major in one disciple and a minor in another, thus broadening their career prospects. Previously student chose a series of electives that may or may not been a coherent study of a discipline.

2.  Why did you get involved at ACS and what are you hoping to achieve on ACS Qld Branch Executive?

I got involved with ACS initially as I was determined to broaden the reach of ACS in Queensland. For example, I live in the Rockhampton area and in 2014 there were very few opportunities to attend ACS seminars in regional QLD. In recent years ACS has been offering both in-attendance and online attendance. I am also passionate about free student membership, which has been introduced over the last few years.

I believe I may have had some influence pertaining to these changes.

3.  What professional advice would you provide your younger self?

Its difficult to advise any one on career directions as each person’s reality is different. However, the following are pertinent which ever career you pursue:

  • Each skill you learn will be transferable and you need to identify why.
  • Never be afraid of trying something new. My career did not pursue only one track.
  • Observe what others are doing around you?
  • Do you have a good manager? What do they do well?
  • Do you think your manager could improve in some areas? Which areas and how would you do it differently?
  • Practice life-long learning and keep your skills up to date.
  • If I was just starting out, using SFIA to plan your career.

4.  What is the ACS member benefit you enjoy the most and why?

  • The ability to update your skills via the many, many courses offered by ACS.
  • Professional recognition

5.  What is your favourite piece of tech or gadget?

I don’t have a favourite gadget or device.

6.  How can members contact you?

LinkedIn is the best way.  Marilyn Wells | LinkedIn

 

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