We recently connected with Carrie Goetz and have shared our conversation below.

Carrie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

I have been in technology for over 40 years. We have a problem attracting new talent, particularly in data centers and the mission critical space. We don’t reach kids early enough in their career decisions. The first book, Jumpstart Your Career in Data Centers, was designed to be read in a weekend. It is a techno-jargon free explanation of the industry, how it works, and our jobs. There were a few catalysts behind the body of work,

The world of digital infrastructure has over 300,000 open jobs, from construction to the cloud, degreed or not. Every single person on earth has a digital presence in a data center. Our birth records, our memories, and our lives are all documented. Our stories share the data center ecosystem with every known digitally documented thing. But what is a data center? How do our digital bits get there? What and where are the jobs? Students should know where their data is stored and how their careers can interface with data center assets.

Too often, students only introduction to technology and tech careers is through a coding class. While coding is a great career, it requires a particular skill set and patience. Not everyone is ideal for coding. When students don’t love coding, they often give up on all technology jobs completely. However, the number of jobs we have in this field are vast and varied. We do curriculum and awareness. Most people join the industry by falling into a job as opposed to intentionally seeking one. When people go on their first interview, how much better prepared are they when they have a clue about the industry involved. To that end, the first book was written including a resource section for scholarship information, the workings of the industry, how to get support later, and other resources to help in your career.

Due to the fact that we don’t have many formal scholastic programs, the Educator’s Reference for Data Center Education was written to help teachers add the first book to their classrooms. It is filled with key takeaways, things to know, experiments, and exercises. The third book is a children’s book, Polly Packet’s Precious Payload: All Smiles to the Data Center, explains the industry in children’s format to inspire young minds. Most children decide what they will be by the time they are eight. This introduction to the internet helps put these careers in their one of sight,

The first book has specific resources for women, trades, and vets. We are not keeping women in the industry, once they start here. I firmly believe that the internet and social media would be kinder and serve more needs with greater diversity on the inside. A certification can be a life changing event for a single mom. We, the women in the industry, want more of us, and we want women to know where to find support. Most of our jobs don’t require a degree and so many women are a year or semester shy of a degree as they dropped out to be caregivers. Likewise, we don’t have a ton of women role models for young girls in technology. We need to fix this, too. I for one, have been blessed to have seen the world through my career. Visibility into our careers is paramount. No woman should have to count on another person for their food or livelihood. Our careers can make that happen.

Trades are featured as we can do nothing without them. I have the utmost respect for our skilled craftspeople. The trades are generally gone from a project when people see their work and ooh and aah at the artistry and craftsmanship. They are highly valued in our industry, but again, this industry isn’t often taught in vocational/technical schools. We want to be sure that our valued tradespeople find a career for what they love. Lastly, I provided extra resources for veterans, as I believe anyone leaving service deserves a great job and all the civilian support we can muster. People don’t realize that many of our veterans are great with construction, information technology, cybersecurity, and a variety of other jobs that are directly transferrable with and without a degree.

What better way to support our newcomers and would be employees than with an easy to digest explanation. While it sounds very simple, the fact is, nothing like this existed.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have been in technology for over 40 years. I have learned about the industry as the industry has grown. Further, due to extensive international travel I know how other countries interface with our country and our systems. I have worked on and in some of largest data centers on earth. I’m a true propellerhead at heart.

In the beginning, I started out thinking architecture was my chosen field. I later started teaching CAD/CAE in college and began writing code for AutoCad. I was hooked on tech early. I took on a project the old frame relay days to connect campuses together as the “one that wasn’t scared of a computer.” Making this communicate without a pair of sneakers involved was new and exciting, and I was all in! I changed from programming to networking and started networking division for a large consulting firm. The forward momentum continued. I was actively involved in the standards for quite some time helping to drive consistency and interoperability amongst disparate systems. Being able to work with the people and companies that make the hardware and software that I later designed and implemented brings the insight into my career full circle. I’m a continuous learner and this industry is great for that as we learn from each other.

I’m one of the few people that has done a bit over everything in the industry. I have worked in coding, networking, standards, design, fit outs, construction, energy and sustainability, project management, manufacturing, and distribution. I created data center divisions a few companies and worked to train global technical and sales resources to support the new divisions. This broad experience has provided me with a unique understanding of the ecosystem as a whole.

I am actively working to set up national apprenticeships, work with vocational technical instructors, college instructors, and others to create interest in the next generation. I spend a lot of time working with new folks in the industry and love watching their successes. Nothing make me happier than to hear the book or a connection has helped someone feed their family a little bit better. I would be nowhere without the support, generosity and wisdom others were kind enough to share with me. Paying it forward is the right thing to do.

Outside of the book series, we offer CTOaaS which is a fractional CTO offering allowing people to bring on an expert a project at a time, to help with startup, helping with training and design services. As companies start, their digital footprint must be secure, workable, supportable, and provide the business with digital advantages. Doing it right the first time saves time, money and mistakes.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goals and mission are simple. I want to provide wisdom, information, and avenues to success. I don’t believe that college is the end all be all for many people. We have to meet people where they want to work and learn. I firmly believe that real innovation happens when you bring together people from a variety of backgrounds and expertise. In fact, sometimes the person that knows the very least can ask the question that provides the pathway to solution. When everyone is educated in the same way, we educate out diversity of thought.

Asking someone, “Here is a problem, how would you solve it?” is a very different than telling someone here is a problem and how your solve it. True innovation happens when people are allowed to create using the tools they have within themselves. Working together people feed of one another. I’m a staunch advocate of the trades and apprenticeships. I am actively working on national apprenticeships to help people join the industry. Once employed, may employers will pay for their college if that is the route they take.

I will say this, however. Suppose you are the company side of educational expenditures. As you provide tuition reimbursement, about 30-36 hours of that coursework is electives. With an average cost of $400-$1400 per semester hour, that is a lot of funding that could stand up an apprenticeship program. The gist is this, there are a million ways to learn. How your learn is not nearly as important. THAT you learn is the key.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

For me, much of my reputation is built on bucking the status quo. I have a knack for taking complex subjects and whittling them down to their most communicable denominators. When others jump on the wagon train, I try to start my own. There is rarely a one size fits all, much less most, in this industry. Even within the same facility, areas will vary from others. How the pieces and parts fit together for the best outcome is paramount. Being able to ignore “the box” and think across silos has helped me create income and most importantly, an amazing network of industry experts.

I know I don’t have to be the smartest person in the room. I just need to know who to call. I believe that how we treat people is everything. Networks are relationships and they must be tended to regularly. Relationships are give and take and no one will support you if you only do the latter. If I know, you are welcome to know what I know. The best customers are the most informed customers. If I learn something new helping a customer, well then even better!

I frequently zoom into classrooms to talk to students about careers in the industry. And, I have a podcast series that interviews many people in and around the industry to provide additional insights into our jobs and the people in them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carriegoetz.com https://www.strategitcom.com
• Instagram: carriejgoetz
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-goetz
• Twitter: @carriegoetz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@carriegoetz
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-52377181
• Other: I do a lot of public speaking and have run workshops for other women to learn to do the same. As a podcaster, I provide a platform for voices within the industry. The idea is to foster a “family feel” in a tech environment where family members support each other. I have been called Mom a lot in this industry. I wear that title proudly whether they wrecked my girlish figure or not. I believe that we are only as good as our service to others. To that end, watching others succeed is the best vitamin regiment you can find. Warm soul, happy heart.

Image Credits

7×24 Exchange International
AFCOM/Data Center World
Brogav