Her Story
About Tammy
Tammy James serves as a Technical Analyst II at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, a global company, where she has been for the past six years. In this role, she handles Level 1 help desk support including password resets, basic troubleshooting, software installs, remote computer access, ticket creation and escalation, and creating knowledge articles, while meeting users at their skill level and teaching them to resolve issues independently. She entered the information technology field around 2000 after working in retail, beginning as a Level 1 Help Desk Analyst at Waste Management and becoming self-taught through peer questions and hands-on challenges, which led to a career spanning over 25 years focused on delivering strong customer service. Tammy holds a Master's in Business Administration from Keller School of Management, completed in 2015, and a Bachelor's in Technical Management from DeVry University, and she previously attended Northeastern University in Boston and Prairie View A&M University. Outside of her professional work, she has served as Youth Director at her church for about 20 years, working with children and teens from ages 5 to 18. She attributes her success to developing patience through life lessons, a supportive team, and treating customers with empathy, often listening like a bartender while maintaining work-life balance and valuing family and relationships above all.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tammy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to life lessons and developing patience. I have a great team and supervisors. Being on both sides as a customer and support person, I treat customers how I want to be treated. I listen with empathy, like a bartender sometimes, and it makes me a better, more grateful person.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't give up, take accountability if you mess up, learn from mistakes and don't repeat them. Challenge yourself but know when to let it go or pass the baton. Know when to say no for work-life balance.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Go for it, even though it's male-dominant, we are equipped for it. Hold your head up, study, learn, take notes, ask questions, don't be afraid to fail. Set attainable limitations and break big problems into small bites, one piece at a time.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Change. People don't like change, but it's inevitable in IT with AI and co-pilot. Adapting to change and helping users adapt is key, even if resistant at times.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family and relationships are most important. Faith helps through grief. Work-life balance is key, and valuing people over being just a number at work.
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