Meet Laurie Roseland-Barnes

Laurie Roseland-Barnes earned her Bachelor of Arts in Information Systems from Western University. She currently works as the Director of Central Industry at Microsoft Canada. In her spare time, she likes traveling, snowboarding, spending time with her two boys, and watching Grease.

When did your love of STEM begin?

Math was always but best subject in grade school – particularly problem solving! I had some great math teachers along the way which really helped. In my first year at Western, I wanted to focus on business. One of the business programs I focused in was Information Systems. We did coding and learned a lot about technology and how technology can help businesses do new things. I wrote a paper on “the Automated Office” and how companies could be more streamlined by getting rid of paper. Then I continued to see many more examples of how technology could help companies grow. Coming out of university I was set on wanting to work at IBM. This is what really fueled my passion for technology as I continued to see really interesting ways that we could help customers grow their businesses.

What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?

The best part about the STEM field is that it is always changing. I have been working in the technology industry for over 21 years and it continues to innovate. I am always learning!

What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?

These are great skills to have. The opportunities for women with education in STEM open so many doors to exciting and interesting careers.