IAUG board member Mackenzi Eisman has some career advice for women IT professionals. “Go ahead and apply for a new opportunity even if you don’t check all the boxes,” she said. “And as an IT leader, consider hiring someone with the drive and desire to fill the role, regardless of their credentials. You might be surprised by how much more you get from them.”
Eisman, who is manager of telecommunications at Global Payments in Indiana, outlined her unique path to a leadership role in the technology space at an IAUG Women in Technology (WIT) session, “A Woman’s Journey to Tech.” It was the first in four-part virtual series showcasing IAUG members’ personal career stories.
“You are fearless,” said IAUG president Lori Wodrich. “It is so important to put yourself out there, and take advantage of career opportunities on the job as well as networking with other IAUG professionals.”
A traumatic accident
For Eisman, a defining moment in her life occurred in 2008. She was a 14-year-old teenager crossing a street with her friends, when she was struck by a car that threw her 30 feet down the road. The impact shattered bones in her legs, spine, hip and pelvis, leaving her unable to walk. “Going back to school in a wheelchair in eighth grade was very hard for me,” she said. After multiple surgeries, Eisman was able to walk with a limp but dropped out of high school before earning her GED.
Determined to get on with her life, Eisman started work at a local bakery and moved up to shift leader and a general manager fill-in role. But when the owner said the 18-year-old was too young to become a manager, she looked for a new opportunity and became a contact center agent for Heartland Payment Systems. “I didn’t have any contact center experience, but they saw a spark in me and gave me a chance,” she said. “I learned a lot, but answering calls was not my dream for the rest of my life.”
So, Eisman “raised her hand” and became a customer service supervisor, while going back to school for her associate’s degree. “I had just had a baby, but I knew if I wanted more from a career, I had to keep learning,” she said.
In 2015, Heartland was acquired by Global Payments, and Eisman became a leader on the company’s workforce management and reporting team. “I loved that role and was expecting it to be my future, but the universe knew that I needed something different,” she said. “I applied to join the telecom team and told the boss, “On paper, I don’t meet your criteria, but I will work hard and learn the role. I also bring my business experience and perspective to the team.”
As a result, Eisman took “a leap of faith” three years ago, and shifted her career into the tech space, where she now manages the Global Payments telecom team. She’s also working toward her bachelor’s degree in business, while raising her 8-year-old son Aiden, while her husband works swing shifts.
“Work-life balance is always a challenge,” she said. “Fortunately, my family has been very supportive, and I carve out time for my studies. I also carry personal phone as well as one for work. It’s inconvenient to carry two phones, but I can put my work phone on silent for an hour and still use my regular phone without feeling stressed. That’s something I recommend to everyone.”
To boost one’s career, Eisman emphasizes the importance of networking. “I am so thankful for the opportunity to be active in IAUG,” she said. “I got involved in July 2022, and decided to jump right in, knowing there would be a great ROI in terms of my personal growth. Now, I’m in my second year on the board and first year as WIT committee chair and I love being part of the community. So, go full throttle and invest in yourself!”
Interested in watching our Women in Tech Webinar with Mackenzi? Check it out here.
