Hailee Boyle started her career in the IT channel during a global pandemic. As SYNNEX Comstor’s Digital Marketing Program Manager, Boyle helps partners throughout the channel effectively connect with their audiences. Amid the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, this role took on new importance as the economy became remote. “Being a woman in tech during a global crisis has provided a very unique opportunity,” Boyle told EDGE360 editors. “It’s been very interesting to see the ways that technology can connect people and solve so many problems.”
At the start of what is sure to be a long and prosperous journey as a woman in tech, Boyle has a unique perspective about her career path in a field historically dominated by men. Boyle’s story and her advice to other young women exploring a future career in tech are the latest subjects of our Women’s History Month feature.
You can find Boyle’s full interview below and learn from her experiences.
EDGE360 Editors: Did you always know you were going to have a technology-related career? What did your path look like?
Hailee Boyle: I didn’t know I wanted to work in technology. I never studied technology-specific subjects and thought maybe you had to be an engineer of some sort to be able to pursue tech-related jobs. After graduating from college, I knew I wanted to work in marketing for a large company and found SYNNEX’s Discovery Rep program, which allows interns to rotate through the company’s different departments until they find an ideal fit. It seemed like an awesome opportunity to not only work with a massive company but get great experience in a variety of subjects. After starting with SYNNEX during the pandemic, I was so excited to be working with a company that was directly sourcing technology solutions to improve people’s lives.
Editors: What were some of the obstacles in the way, and how did you overcome them?
Boyle: SYNNEX is sometimes called a beast because there are so many moving parts and people always say, “You learn something new every day at SYNNEX,” which I have found to be completely true. There are so many products, departments, and pieces of SYNNEX that make the business model pretty complicated. The biggest obstacle was understanding how the business worked. By talking to various people, I was able to learn different pieces of the business and understand the big picture more fully. Asking questions, throwing myself into different projects, and using as many resources that SYNNEX has to offer, I’ve learned a lot and feel more confident each day.
Editors: When you look back to where you started to the present day, what shifts have you’ve seen to encourage more representation?
Boyle: I only started recently but have been inspired by the number of women leaders at this company. There are many women managers and bosses who are incredible leaders and mentors, and they constantly inspire me. I look forward to telling younger women about this position and showing people that it doesn’t matter what your background is to get into a male-dominated industry.
EDGE360 Editors: What are you most proud of when looking at your career accomplishments to date?
Boyle: Working on the digital marketing team has been incredible. As the company has shifted more and more to social media, there have been many exciting projects that have come my way. Working on the recent “snackable” campaigns has been awesome because this is SYNNEX’s first year doing it; it’s been a success and I got to be a part of it. We have featured many awesome vendors through these short video series, highlighting some incredible products and showcasing how they can be used in different verticals. I think these campaigns are the future of marketing and I’m excited to continue working on them.
Editors: What advice do you have for the next generation of women in tech that may be seeking to start a career in IT?
Boyle: I would tell younger generations to not be afraid to ask questions and stand up for their opinion. I think self-starters do super well in tech-related careers and reward people that can keep up with the fast pace of the industry.
