TechKnow Episode 8: A Conversation with Women in Tech Member and Senior Director of UK Online Patsy Carruthers

Before becoming the Senior Director of UK Online, Patsy Carruthers began her career as a journalist.

When she arrived at the University of Kentucky in 2007 to oversee distance learning technology, Carruthers had spent a decade in public media and had previously been a teacher. 

“The position that I hold now — it wasn't even a thing when I was in college – it didn't exist,” she said. “So, you can't really draw a straight line from where I started to where I am today, which, to me, is kind of exciting.”

Carruthers also spoke about overcoming obstacles in her career, being part of Women in Tech and women she admires in the STEM industries.

“Before I joined IT, I did not think of myself as a technology person or as having a technology job, even though I was very much technology adjacent,” Carruthers said. “It's really fun to meet those folks and to encourage each other. It's just a major part of, I think what we need to do both as women and as human beings — we should be encouraging to each other to learn more about the tech area as a whole.”

To hear more about her unconventional career path in tech, check out Episode 8 of TechKnow.

Carruthers also spoke at UK ITS’s Women in Tech panel during Women’s History Month. The panel video is available to watch on Youtube.

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