Dr. Carrie Gates (BSc’93, MSc’95, PhD’06) has forged her way to a stellar career at Dell, reaching the top of a complex and historically male-dominated industry.

As Senior Distinguished Engineer and Chief Scientist in Dell Research, her responsibilities include providing leadership regarding products and services. She also develops and executes research agendas that can influence Dell’s overall strategic direction.

Gates’ meaningful mentors

Dr. Gates didn’t have plans to shatter any glass ceilings while she studied at Dalhousie. So just how did she manage to reach the top of her field?

Among many factors, she credits the power of female mentorship. She had no plans to pursue graduate studies until a female professor encouraged her to apply. In another instance, she received some unforgettable advice following an undergraduate biology lab presentation.

“After I presented, the instructor pulled me aside and told me that I spoke like a girl, in that I ended every statement with a question and raised my voice. It undermines what you say when you speak like that.”

As in her case, Dr. Gates believes women shouldn’t have to be asked to provide mentoring.

“If they see something to be improved, they should do so in order to help break down barriers for other women.”

Securing our future

Dr. Gates went on confidently to study at the master’s and PhD levels. She gradually moved away from studying analytics, and focused on cybersecurity during her PhD studies.

Thanks to women like Dr. Gates, the cybersecurity ceiling is on its way down: women now have a higher concentration of advanced degrees in computer science and engineering. More women are also working primarily in governance, risk and compliance – a major growth area in cybersecurity – than men.

Like Dr. Gates, these experts are relishing the opportunity to revolutionize information technology.

“There’s an adversary with cybersecurity that you are chasing,” she says. “And I love being challenged like that.”

Read more in “Breaking the Cybersecurity Glass Ceiling” on securitymagazine.com and “Dream job, dream life: Carrie Gates” on alumni.dal.ca.