Rhonda Layfield has been in the IT community for 25 years. She began in the US Navy as a communications specialist holding a top secret clearance. She is now an independent consultant and trainer for Minasi who develops and teaches her own curriculum on Various Microsoft and VMWare Technologies. Rhonda has a passion for learning products at the packet level and sharing that knowledge in her classes with some of the most prestigious organizations and corporations around the world including Dow Jones, the US Airforce, the US Army, IBM, Bank of America, Wachovia, Bell Atlantic and EDS. She is currently an NT/2000/2003 MCSE and MCT. Along with teaching she enjoys presenting at national conferences (Techmentor and Windows Connections) and contributing articles to various technical magazines and is also a co-author of "Mastering Windows Server 2003 Upgrade Edition for SP1 & R2".
Rhonda recently spoke with SIG volunteer Donna Shaver about her career, inspirations and advice for women in tech.
Have you had any challenges in your career in technology that may be specific to being a woman?
Of course there were challenges, especially early on. I can’t think of anything in particular. But I was used to being the only female in a group of 15 people. I have three brothers. I spent 7 years in the US Navy. I’m used to being with the guys. The majority of the men have no problem with it at all. People appreciate others who love technology as much as they do… male or female. My career is evolving, from a Microsoft Trainer to an independent speaker at conferences, etc. So it’s not as much of a challenge anymore.
What is your strongest asset in your technical career?
I have a need to understand things at the “packet level.” I can’t just read a white paper and feel like I know it. I first read all I can find, and then I draw it out in pictures on a big piece of paper and then re-write it in my own words. I take the time to dissect things, not just believe it because I read it somewhere.
I love Network Monitor [which is installed with Windows Server]. I was at a nuclear power plant once and someone asked if one of their HR products was encrypting passwords or not. So, we did a Network Monitor trace to record the packets and then we could see the Domain Administrator Username and Password in clear text in a packet!
How did you get to where you are today? Have there been any lucky breaks in your career? Which opportunities were particularly career advancing?
Absolutely! Working with Mark Minasi has been very inspirational. Then meeting Shirley Brothers with the Windows Connections; she gave me my first speaking opportunity at Windows Connections.
How do you like working with Mark Minasi?
Love it! Mark is known as one of the best technical authors in the industry. He is a fantastic person to work with. I’d say he’s my mentor. Mark is the one who really taught me to write. I had been an MCT (Microsoft Certified Trainer) and taught using the material that Microsoft provided. I have my own material now and Mark inspired me to put that together. He doesn’t read everything I write, but a lot of it he does.
Have you ever had a job that would have been unhealthy for your career that you left in order to be successful elsewhere?
No. Every job I’ve had, I have grown in. No regrets. I had one job in Florida where I was the only woman out of 10 of us. We were all trainers and traveled. I was also next to the oldest in the group. So when a job came up in Cleveland or wherever, and no one else wanted to go there, I would always take it. They would say “Give it to Rhonda, she’ll go and do a good job.” And I always had fun and enjoyed it.
How did you overcome any fear of public speaking?
Just by doing it! Meditation was always a big help. And positive feedback from others helps a lot. Hearing what worked well helped me to focus on doing those things again next time. And I’d say “Hey, they thought it went well” and that would make me to feel good about it and be even more excited to go out in public the next time.
Where do you find your best networking opportunities?
Conferences. The Windows Connections conference and TechMentor are the best for networking. People will see me there and ask me questions. I don’t get much attention at TechEd which is much bigger and the speakers there are all Microsoft MVPs I think.
Do you mentor anyone?
I have a close friend that I share ideas with. She was a student of mine in a network packet class that I taught and she caught on to everything so quickly. I’m not really her mentor, she’s brilliant all on her own. Just that we share opportunities and ideas and keep in touch.
Who is your role model?
Grace Hopper
How do you balance your home life with your busy schedule?
There is no such thing as weekends. The days and weeks all roll together. During the week is “stage time” with the client, and I use the weekends and off hours to update my presentations, read, learn and prepare for the next week. Sometimes when the kids come up I’ll take some time off to spend with them.
We try to work vacations into all our trips. My life is like a vacation all the time! Later this year we’ll have the Windows Connections conference in Amsterdam and we’re adding a week of vacation there. Last June, we went to Nice for a conference and added a week of vacation. We have a house on the ocean in North Carolina and that’s where I do most my writing. This July and August, I will be co-authoring the upcoming Mastering Windows Server LongHorn (2007/2008) Edition.
What inspires you? How do you refresh and regain your energy?
I work out a lot, mostly weight lifting and spinning classes. The spinning is the same as cycling. Sometimes I’ll go to the gym for the spinning class, I also have a bike in my home.
Meditation. My dad taught us how to do this when we were young. So I envision having fun with the crowd, getting outside my comfort zone. And I tell myself that people in the audience want me to be good. They want to enjoy the presentation and learn something. That gives me positive energy. Meditation helps me to remind myself of this.
How do you study or learn best?
I learn best in the evenings from 6pm until midnight. I like to cook. So mornings and afternoons for me are best for cooking a good breakfast and lunch, running errands, and going to the gym.
My office is close to my boyfriend’s so we often share our research findings with one another. I’ll study something and then give him the synopsis of it. He’ll do the same for me.
What is your favorite piece of technology? iPod? Tivo? Blackberry?
I’m not a gadget person. I use my laptop to check my email. The cell phone is more of a leash, something I have to have. Only 3 people have my cell number. Operating systems are the fun stuff for me!
What kind of car do you drive?
A convertible Saab. It’s hunter green.
What book are you reading now?
“Admiral of the Cyber Sea” by Kathleen Broome Williams, which is a biography of Rear Admiral Grace Hopper. Her mathematical genius was a great asset to the US Navy during WWII and helped the military embrace and push forward in the computer industry. She was someone we should all strive to be like. She was one of the first women in the US Navy at the age of 37, and helped all women in being seen as equals or at least capable when it comes to jobs in America.
What advice would you give women trying to advance in hi-tech?
You have to learn everything you can about the technology that you are interested in. Always be ready to learn more! To truly understand the technology you’re working with read magazines, books, and anything you can find. Find a favorite author and read everything they publish. Learn something every month. Really learn it, test it, and truly understand it.
WIT SIG volunteer Donna Shaver is an Oracle (OCP) and SQL Server DBA and developer. She is currently working for AgData in Charlotte, NC, developing web services in VB.Net. Donna has a BS in Mathematics from Winthrop University and a MS in Computer Science from the University of South Carolina.