She puts the sass into downloading, the spunk into networking, and the bite into megabyte. MS Megabyte is the Queen of Computing, sharing her know-how on shows like The Today Show. She talks to theLounge about combining celebrity with computers…
Current position: Ms Megabyte Enterprises Director, Today Show IT Editor and 3AK
Broadcaster
Career biography: "My first real corporate job was at Microsoft as a help desk technician. I moved around the world with Microsoft then started my own company in
Melbourne doing tech support. One day, I decided I wanted to be on TV, and as computers were my main area of expertise, I worked on becoming a 'celebrity computer geek'. Since the mid 90s I have shared my everyday computing tips and hints with thousands of Australians on TV (Midday, GMA, Today Show, The Panel, dot.com.tv), radio, in magazines (Womans Day, Womens Weekly) and newspapers and on the Net. I created www.getmega.com -
Australia's lifestyle computing resource, which now has 14,000 newsletter subscribers.
"I landed the gig at 3AK in August 02, and am now permanently broadcasting in
the 12-3pm timeslot, which I very much enjoy. I married for the 2nd time in 2001 to Andrew, we have a one year old daughter, Charlotte. Her big sister Betty is 9. I am currently half way through writing my own computer book, due out in the middle of the year, and I'm starting up a computer help service for online and home visits.
Have you always been clear on the type of career you wish to pursue? When
you were a child, what did you dream of becoming when you grew up?
"The only thing I remember ever wanting to be was a teacher of disabled
children."
When did you realise you wanted to pursue the career you are in now?
"When I decided not to go to University after VCE, and my main skill was computing. I started working in that industry, and eventually decided I wanted to be on TV."
What was your big break into the industry?
"There have been a few - a) getting a job at Microsoft; b) getting a column in Woman's Weekly; c) getting a segment on Midday with Kerri-Anne, then GMA and now the Today Show; d) getting the 3AK job."
Describe a moment in your career that has been the most difficult and/or
the most rewarding for you.
"Most difficult moment keeps coming up - getting a computer TV show off the ground. We actually did this, called dot.com.tv in 2000 (with Red Symons), but there hasn't been a sponsor for a second series and it is so frustrating!
"Most rewarding would be the many speaking gigs I do - there is so much satisfaction in running a workshop telling people how to get the most out of their PCs, and getting instant reactions from the audience. My favourite noise of all time is a combination of 'ooohhhhh!' and 'aaahhhh!' which usually comes when I show something like 'Ctrl+Enter' will make a page break in Word."
Is there anyone who has been particularly helpful or inspiring to you, and how?
"Nene King was always inspirational to me, she has been the most vocal in support for my ideas. Also, my lawyer, Stephen - he is more of a mentor and acts like an incubator for me. When I get crazy ideas into my head, he reminds me to put the brakes on and rethink things. Now it is my husband - he is extremely media savvy and has the same vision as me for the whole Yvonne/Mega 'brand'."
How have you defined success for yourself?
"I like to use lists and big brainstorming charts. I write down all the things I need to do or achieve and get quite a bit of satisfaction from simply putting nice, big, fat, red ticks on the lists.
With the type of work I do, it is easy to gauge my success - with the radio, we can look at the ratings. With Ms Megabyte, I find checking my success is as simple as waiting for a response from someone when they ask me 'what do you do for a living' and I respond 'have you heard of Ms Megabyte?'. More and more people say 'yes!' and how I've helped them with their computer, so that is a good sign."
How have you coped with set-backs or rejection?
"Every 'no' is another step to a 'yes'. I also use a bit from Steven Covey's 7 Habits book as my mantra - that no leader or person who has achieved things in history has ever done so without all of the following: persistence, belief, vision and action. If I'm feeling that I'm not getting anywhere, I look back to those four things and I realise that I am missing one... and I fix it!"
On family and career, how have you defined and managed this balance?
"It is certainly difficult to juggle, but I believe it is necessary to do for our future. At this moment, I'm not enjoying putting Charlotte into creche a few hours a day - I hate that moment when I leave and she's reaching out for me even though I know she has a lovely time once I'm gone! Every mum's challenge, I think.... I make sure I'm available for lots of time in the mornings and afternoons, and get back to work on the PC once the kids are in bed."
What do you think are the most important challenges facing women in the
workforce today?
"The hours we work...not just women but all of us. The crazy hours are fine for people without children, but I'm extremely concerned about the pressure our clients and bosses are putting on us to extend our working hours. It cannot be good for our young families."
What has been your worst job?
"I couldn't really nominate one, because they were all necessary points to get to the next step. It is very important to be positive about everything - even horrible jobs!"
What has been your best job?
"Evolving Ms Megabyte as a recognisable, household name."
What would be your dream job / career?
"I have always wanted to have a talent agency. I'm good at organising other people, and I've always had a certain, shall we say 'persuasiveness' about me.. stay tuned!"
What can you see yourself doing in five years from now?
"Absolutely nothing at all, please!. No PC's, no telephones, no bills, no appointments, no rain. But maybe just for 6 months.. then I'd be itching to get back to it, I'm certain!"
