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Jodie Bluto
Occupation: Technical Staff-Chemistry Department
Starting Salary: $26,000 Top Salary: ??
"Today's competitive hi-tech marketplace is prepared to attract employees with a technology education, including women. In my case, the support and mentoring I found at CCRI helped greatly in achieving my new goals. Let CCRI help you find an technology program to fulfill your dreams."
| Name | City / State | Occupation | Company | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jodie Bluto | Technical Staff, Chemistry Dept. | CCRI | CCRI - AAS in Chemical Technology, Bachelors in Business and Women's Studies (In Progress) | |
| Industry | Years in Field | Ethnicity | Age | Professional Associations: |
| Chemical Technology | 6 years | Caucasian | 45 | President:
RI Chapter American Association for Women in Community Colleges National American Association for Women in Community Colleges Education Committee, RI Commission for Women |
How I Did it...............YOU CAN DO IT!
Getting Started: After graduating from high school Jodie worked on a show horse farm for 20 years. When she quit she knew she had to go back to school because she had no other workplace skills. Jodie says, "I needed to work so I had to go back to school.
Education: Jodie chose the Chemical Technology Program because
of its 98% placement rate. She says, "The program is very gender friendly
and you don't need a background in technology." Jodie found a lot of support
in the "ChemTech" program from mentors and counselors.
Jodie liked the program because of how hands-on it is. Her classes took
place in a lab from the first day. She says, "Most chemistry classes are
theoretical but in the Chemical Technology Program, we were in a lab setting
from day one." Jodie says it is one of the few programs in the country to
be so hands-on, and it's also the first one accredited by the American Chemical
Society. She learned through performing actual experiments and by the time
graduation rolled around, Jodie was already very comfortable in the lab.
Greatest Professional Accomplishment: Jodie feels being a part
of the WomenTech project is her greatest professional achievement. She enjoys
making women aware of the technology jobs available to them, and sees the
WomenTech project as helping to bring about institutional change on behalf
of gender equity.
Barriers: Jodie says, "I didn't feel any barriers. I was a little fearful, but it was internal." She didn't have any problems with her lack of experience in math or science, other than not having applied them for twenty years. The ChemTech program taught her everything she needed.
Jodie decided to work at CCRI in the Technical Staff and found that what
she'd learned had prepared her very well for her job.
Working with Men: Jodie works mostly with men, but has never found it to be a problem. She says they are supportive and comfortable with her. Jodie hasn't encountered any gender barriers in the workplace.
Advice for Women: "Don't let it [the number of men] bother you;
get in there and prove yourself." She says this is the best way to get more
comfortable.
Typical Workday/Work Environment: Jodie prepares the experiments
for the many laboratory classes that run daily. She also maintains and troubleshoots
the various laboratory instrumentation. She orders, inventories, and disposes
of chemicals of necessary. Jodie also enjoys her interaction with students.
She says the environment is "enthusiastic and fun, because of the students".
Her job revolves around the students, and they keep her workplace upbeat.
Career Ladder: Unfortunately, there isn't much of a career ladder
in Jodie's job. She still gets raises and other benefits, but her job doesn't
have a natural career ladder. She does, however, keep her eyes open
to find opportunities to contribute outside her day to day duties.
Hobbies: Jodie enjoys yoga, reading, golf, and taking care of her dog.
