Baltimore Tech QA Analyst Enjoys The Variety In Daily Work
Ilanit Benor originally sought out an education degree, deciding to keep her interest in technology as a hobby. However, she soon realized that the growing demand and constant need for technology is essential in today's world. So began her 25-year career in which she has taken on a number of versatile roles in many different disciplines. Currently, she works as a quality assurance analyst and trainer for a government contractor for Medicare.
Benor has an associate degree from ITT Technical Institute and a B.S. in education and computer network systems from Towson University. She also has graduate hours in applied information and an aerospace engineering certification from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She obtained Microsoft master certification from Certiport.
What are your daily responsibilities?
"I evaluate help desk CSRs for quality assurance. I plan and execute training initiatives based on standards, contractual obligations, new software and hardware, and team building. I also spend part of my time problem-solving technical issues and strategic issues."
What is your favorite part about your job?
"I like the variety. Because I play different roles, I get to be involved in so many different activities. I have the opportunity to make some exciting decisions. I interact with many different types of people, from the very technical IT end to business leaders throughout our company and the federal government."
How has your education prepared you for your current role?
"My education and training was not just a foot in the door. It served as the foundation for everything I have accomplished. After I realized that my career would be in hybrid roles, I went back to school and got my computer degree. Prior to that I was mostly self-taught. The formal education in IT not only helped me to better understand and manipulate today's IT issues, but it also provided me with the credentials that opened many doors to higher level positions with much larger pay and responsibilities."
What do you do to continue your education?
"You can never stop learning. Methodology changes. IT advances in ways that we cannot predict. I am an information sponge and spend so much time reading about the latest developments in business, IT and education. I also take classes on a regular basis to gain additional knowledge and certifications. To be a well-rounded, competitive person in today's business world, you have to understand how all of these topics work in conjunction to help with the flow of business."
Do you have any advice for others looking to enter this field?
"It is extremely important to learn, learn and learn some more! To succeed in today's world, you have to focus on an interest and really learn everything about it. You want to be versatile so that you can be open to many facets of the IT world. You also have to look ahead. With a little business forecasting, you can prepare yourself to be marketable in our ever-changing world."
Laura Catherine Hermoza has a lifelong love for writing. In addition to serving as a contributor to various media publications, she is also a published novelist of several books and works as a proofreader/editor. LC resides in Baltimore County.