TechTalk

Network Systems Engineer,

Southeast Missouri State University

Karl Blankenship

State University. Having worked in the field of

Information Technology for 44 years, during the

last 12 years, Karl has driven from Murphysboro,

Illinois, where he lives with his wife, Laura, a

retired teacher. Karl enjoys barbecuing, cooking,

fishing kayaking, cigar box guitar building, playing

the guitar and mandolin, and being a grandparent.

How does your position serve the Southeast

community?

My position serves students, faculty, and staff

through lab imaging, software maintenance, and

by handling the Pharos/Uniprint printing software.

What was your first IT position?

I was a Mainframe Operator/COBOL Programmer/

Analyst – AMAX Lead and Zinc in Boss, Missouri.

Overall, how would you rate your experiences

working in IT?

Information Technology has been a great career.

No matter how much you have learned, there are

always thousands of things that are still out there,

ready to be learned.

What advice would you give to a student

pursuing a position in IT?

Students pursuing careers in IT should try to

learn everything about IT that is offered by the

university, get as much hands-on experience as

possible, and work hard to achieve high grades. It

WILL pay off in the end.

Tell us about your family.

Laura

- spouse of 14 years, retired teacher, Tri-

County, IL Special Education District

Lori

- daughter – deceased Cystic Fibrosis

Granddaughter –

Breanna

Great-Granddaughters –

Leah

and

Zoe

Jason

– son – Ironworker foreman-AMCE Erectors

St. Louis, MO, Harley rider, plays bass and guitar,

raises Long Horn and Watusi cattle

Sarah

– daughter – HR and Operations

Coordinator, Smith Foods-Pacific, MO, Professional

BBQ competitor and judge, plays guitar and sings

Grandsons –

Andrew

and

Evan

Wendy

– Daughter – Dental Hygienist-Pediatric

Dentistry of Sunset Hills, MO, Owner/operator

Keira’s Closet, plays guitar and sings

Granddaughter -

Keira

arl Blankenship is one of five IT network

systems engineers at Southeast Missouri

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Martha Henckell

TECHNICAL EDITORS

Paul Belvin

Todd Williams

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Michelle Lee

AUTHORS

Aaron Alter

Alexis Whitworth

Daryl Fridley

Diana Rogers-Adkinson

Floyd Davenport

Jacob Hill

Joseph Marks

Robert Hendrix

Todd Williams

CREDITS