This blog is part of our on-going Women in Technology series.
Vicky Reznik is the IT Support (L1) Manager here at Consilio. Vicky has been with Consilio for 5 years and in the eDiscovery industry for 17 years. Vicky earned her Bachelor degree in Psychology from Arizona State University and is a Relativity Certified Administrator and Certified User. To Vicky, the most exciting part about working at Consilio is the constant change and innovation.
How did you get into the eDiscovery industry?
I had never heard of eDiscovery before, and clearly had been planning on a different career path when I got my degree. However, an entry-level job as a teenager, as a scanning operator one summer changed all that. From that early start, I have gone on to work and manage in the following areas within eDiscovery – QC, Hosting, Project Management and Technical Support.
Have there been any pivotal moments in your career that helped get you to where you are today?
Most have resulted from saying yes to a new opportunity – even when they were unexpected and/or in a lateral position from what I had planned.
What has been your experience with mentors throughout your career?
Many of my past mentors have been my managers – introducing a characteristic or skill that I was able to learn from. Whether that be the importance of networking, time management, workflow or negotiation skills.
What do you feel that companies could do to motivate more women to pursue careers in technology?
First impressions are important, and for potential applicants that begins with the job description. When I took over as IT Support (L1) Manager a year ago, it was a predominantly male team with very few women applicants. We have since turned both those metrics around – and as a result, have become much more diverse. That change began by revising the job description. It was outdated and sounded like something straight out of the 90s – and it’s understandable how it got to be that way. As a manager, the job description is the least interesting part of the process when getting an opening posted. But keeping it updated and reflective of actual day-to-day responsibilities is key. That combined with assistance from Recruiting in getting our postings out to more people, and we began to see a big difference.
What is your advice to someone newly entering the eDiscovery industry?
Decide what area of the industry interests you the most – then research what certifications and/or experience would make you an appealing candidate. There are many entry-level positions in eDiscovery, and hiring managers like to see candidates with relevant certifications and/or experience.
Because the industry can be chaotic, what are your techniques for managing competing priorities, work-life balance, etc.?
Lists – preparing for tomorrow’s meetings, action items and mission critical items. Being prepared ahead of time, better allows me to go with the flow if the day ends up going sideways – at least I know what I absolutely must get done, and anything beyond that becomes an extra win.
When you’re not working, how do you spend your free time?
Living in Phoenix, Arizona with my sons – swimming in the summer, and then walks and bike rides during the winter. Other than that, love catching up on episodes of Gogglebox (British TV show).