Katie Barnett
Katie Barnett
- Major(s): Computational science
Katie Barnett’s interest in computers started young – very young. Barnett was five years old when she won the “Computer Whizz” award at Greythorn Primary School after demonstrating how to use a mathematical program on the classroom computer. “I worked it out even though the teachers couldn’t understand it,” says Katie.
Katie completed a Double degree at Monash in electrical engineering and science. Cutting edge of computing. Katie studies gave her both the “building blocks” for a career in computers and showed her the cutting edge of the field. “Most of the subjects had highly practical components using lots of examples from real life,” she says. Barnett enjoyed being part of the Girls Geek Coffee Club at Monash, a Google initiative that draws together women studying in non-traditional fields such as biological sciences, physics and mathematics.
"The choice of electives on offer in science gave me the ‘building blocks’ for a career in computers."
Katie worked at IBM as a user interface specialist who deals with the “front end” of software working with clients to help improve their websites including big retailers. In the four years she worked at IBM she’s progressed from associate consultant to senior consultant
Now a Team leader at Bilue, Katie brings applications to life through the building of apps, websites and interactive games and is a co-organiser for the Google Developer Group community, as well as the leader for the Women TechMakers Melbourne chapter – a Google program providing visibility, community and resources for women in technology.