Once upon a time, the technology industry was a man’s world. Boys were encouraged to pursue careers in the industry and men largely dominated the field, from entry level positions to the corner office.
While statistically there are still more men than women in technology - women make up less than a third of the world’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) workforce - the tide is turning. More women are pursuing careers in technology jobs, and by the end of 2023, 35% of tech jobs in the United States were held by women.
At SDN Communications, we are proud that our teams reflect this changing dynamic. Our company employs a wide range of talented and innovative women. They are a vital part of our team and help make SDN the company it is.
Today we’d like to introduce you to three of our Software and IT teams - Tammy Grinnell, Brianna Steinberg and Brittany Haiar.
Tammy Grinnell - Supervisor of Corporate IT
Tammy Grinnell’s interest in technology and IT work began while attending Valley City University in Valley City, ND.
As a work study student, Grinnell was assigned a campus job in the Technology Services department, the only female student in the office. While she didn’t have any experience with technology, she was up for the challenge. Over time, she realized that she had a knack for the work and grew to enjoy it.
Grinnell graduated in 1988 with a business management degree and landed a job in Sioux Falls, working in IT. Eventually, she made her way to SDN in 2012. When she took the position at SDN, there was only one other women in the department, but it didn’t dissuade her. “Even now, a lot of times I’m the only woman when we meet with vendors. You just get used to it.”
Grinnell says one of the enjoyable things about her work is the ever-changing nature of it. “New technology is always interesting to me,” she says. “There are always new things coming up all the time.”
She also thoroughly enjoys helping her fellow SDN employees. “That’s the part I really love,” she says. “I like to interact with everyone and help make their jobs easier.”
As one of the earlier women in the tech world, Grinnell has had an opportunity to help train future telecommunications professionals. Not only did she hire Steinberg, she served on the Mitchell Technical Institutes information systems technology curriculum board. “That was a rewarding experience,” she says. “I’m glad I had the chance to play a role in that.”
When Grinnell isn’t working, she spends her time outside with her dog, Isaiah, a miniature schnauzer. She also enjoys golfing and often finds herself the only woman on business golfing outings.
Brianna Steinberg - IT Systems Analyst
Brianna Steinberg grew up on a cattle ranch near Hartford, leaving after high school to attend Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. She studied biochemistry and neuroscience, graduating in 2016.
Like Grinnell, she got assigned to the IT department as part of her work study duties at Gustavus. “I worked there all four years,” she says. She admits that in high school, she never looked into technical careers because of the stereotype that only boys who were into video games went into IT work. “But I think that stereotype is being broken.” She found that she really enjoyed her work in the college IT department.
While still in college, Steinberg did some research work with Sanford Research, but eventually decided the tech industry was a better fit for her. “Research and tech use the same critical thinking skills, but tech moves at a much faster pace.”
Steinberg was hired by Grinnell directly after graduation, joining the SDN IT department. “I’ve been with SDN my entire career.”
Steinberg says the reason she so enjoys her work is that she’s a problem solver at heart. “I love solving puzzles and tech is one of the wildest puzzles I’ve ever run into.”
At the same time, she loves also working with people, especially since she gets to support her team members at SDN. “There are some extraordinary people at SDN.”
When Steinberg isn’t working, she is “outside all of the time.” She recently ran a half marathon and enjoys exploring the Black Hills with her husband on their side-by-side.
She’s also a member of a hunting dog club, a group that gathers and shares experience and expertise on dog training. Like IT work, she is one of the few women in the club. “It doesn’t bother me at all,” she says.
Brittany Haiar - Software Engineer II
Brittany Haiar grew up in Emery, briefly attending both University of South Dakota in Vermillion and Dakota State in Madison before landing at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls.
While Haiar admits that computers and technology had always piqued her interest, she didn’t initially expect it to become a career. But while attending Southeast, she started working for a local software company as a software support specialist. Eventually, she moved into the software development department. When she graduated with her Computer Programming degree in 2014, she was hired on with the company fulltime as a software developer.
In 2016, she was hired at SDN to be a Software Engineer II.
Haiar says being a software engineer fits perfectly into her skill set and interests. When she’s not working, she likes woodworking and other activities that allow her to work with her hands. “I like to build things and I like to build solutions,” she says. “And what keeps me here is the people I work with. I solve problems for them. I enjoy that.”
Despite her work in IT and with computers, Haiar says when she’s not at work, she’s “as far away from a computer as I can be.” Instead, she likes to hunt and fish, even building her own lures as a hobby.
She also has two “spoiled rotten” goldendoodles, Phoebe and Scout, that are by her side whenever she’s enjoying outdoor activities.
