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What do you most often look forward to, when you
come in to work?
I look forward to meeting the needs of others. Great
satisfaction can be garnered by offering assistance to
students, student employees, fellow staff members,
faculty, alumni, or community members. Sometimes this
need can be as simple as requiring a yes or no, but I
always try to go the extra mile by attempting to find a
solution, even if it won’t involve IT. Even the time
consuming solutions are rewarding because I feel I, too,
will take away something valuable from the experience.
What is a typical day for you?
My work day begins before I ever reach the office. Once
I’m awake, I check my emails to see how my day may
have to be scheduled. Often times, I’ll take a phone call or
two before leaving the house. Once I drop my son off at
school and arrive at the office, I verify that my labs
scheduled to be open are operational. The rest of my
‘typical’ day requires communication through emails and
phone calls, meetings and computer lab visits. Each of
these activities require additional tasks, such as,
scheduling staff, addressing equipment issues, ordering
supplies, and making lab reservations for faculty, staff, and
the community.
As a member of the User Services area of Information
Technology, I am assigned projects and assist others with
their assignments. My day truly doesn’t stop; with 24/7
hours of operation in two computer labs, as well as being
responsible for the facilities and equipment in 7 computer
labs and staff for 10 labs, day closure never occurs.
“I look forward to meeting the needs of
others. Great satisfaction can be garnered
by offering assistance to students,
student employees, fellow staff members,
faculty, alumni, or community members.”
What was the craziest or most difficult day you experienced
working in the IT department?
One of the most challenging incidents took place over several
days. Our fiber feed for the Internet was cut in St. Louis. This
Utility work, being performed just outside the city, caused this
accidental severance of fiber. As a result, our entire University lost
network access for a couple of days.
What advice would you give to a student pursuing a position
in IT?
The best description of any IT position should include the word
‘flexible.’ While everything will evolve and change, this rings true
at a faster pace, when dealing with technology. I would also add,
to not forget the importance of focusing on the process and
procedures before directing others toward the use of a particular
software or hardware.
What are the high points and/or low points of working in an IT
department?
My high point, in particular, is contributing to the research and
testing of new hardware or software that results in helping solve
issues for anther campus department. It is rewarding to be a part
of a project and participating from start to end. Actually seeing
your recommendation and use of this technology benefiting
others, is truly gratifying.
The lowest point is an event that occurs when something is not
working the way it is needed or was portrayed. Once you diagnose
what is wrong, then correct the problem, everything begins to work
in harmony again. In this scenario the low point then becomes a
high point.
If you were not in IT what career do you envision?
I really enjoy working in both I.T. and in higher education. If I was
not working in I.T., I would still see myself working in a higher
education environment.
“It is rewarding to be a part of a project and
participating from start to end. Actually
seeing your recommendation and use of this
technology benefiting others, is truly
gratifying.”
“My day truly doesn’t stop; with 24/7
hours of operation in two computer labs,
as well as being responsible for the
facilities and equipment in 7 computer
labs and staff for 10 labs, work day
closure never occurs.”