Working at the University of Oregon has provided me with the opportunity to work with a unique combination of people and technologies.  It is an experience that would be difficult to emulate in any other place. The UO has allowed me to pursue evolving technologies, find creative solutions to problems, and given me the opportunity to learn from some incredibly talented and gifted people.

By working with such a diverse field of technologies and projects, it has provided me with the experience to be a stronger and more well-rounded IT professional.  I’ve gained the confidence to know that I can handle a range of IT issues from everyday issues to disease testing during a global pandemic.

What area do you work in within the VPFA portfolio?
I work in Solutions Development and Data Services within Information Services (IS). I’ve been in IS since August 2020. Prior to that, I worked for SAIT (Student Affairs IT) in the Division of Student Life from 2010.

What is your current position, and what are your job responsibilities?
I am an Analyst Programmer II. Currently, my main responsibilities revolve around supporting the COVID MAP testing project and the UO’s COVID vaccine management initiatives. Aside from that, I still frequently work with colleagues across campus to support the University Counseling and Health Center, Rec Center, Dean of Students Office, and UO Card Office, and many others.

What has been your career path; how did you end up in your current position?

To describe my career path, I have to start with my inspiration for getting into Information Technology (IT). My parents were kind and patient enough to allow me to play around with the family computer. I learned how to make things work and I learned how to break things. I guess you could say I was strongly “supported” to figure out how to fix my mistakes at that point (sorry Mom and Dad… who would have guessed the freeware version of DOOM was actually a virus?). From there, I really enjoyed learning how to build my own computers and helping friends with theirs. In both high school and college, I worked in a Help Desk role where I worked directly with computer hardware and software.

I knew pretty early on that I wanted a career in IT.  What I didn’t envision was doing application development. My first job out of college was as a web developer for a small education research company. I hadn’t previously had exposure to software or web development outside of a few high school and college courses (Pascal!). As the only developer at the company, I managed their portfolio; but also expanded it with custom-developed applications designed from the ground up; it helped me to learn how to develop and more importantly how to be a developer.

When my spouse and I got married, we immediately moved down to Eugene for her to start law school. We quickly fell in love with the city and decided that we’d like to stay. After her graduation, I applied for a position as an IT consultant with SAIT in the Division of Student Life and found that I loved the university environment, the variety, and the unique challenges and opportunities that came with it. In SAIT, I did a little bit of everything, from web development, integrations, and application management.

I was initially involved in phase one of transform IT and once that was completed, I was lucky enough to move into the (then) Application and Middleware team, which is where I am at today.

What do you like about your current position?
I enjoy the variety.  It’s fun to be able to work with different areas of campus and try to help with making people’s jobs easier. There are a lot of interesting things that people do on campus to support students, faculty, staff and community; it’s pretty cool to get a chance to help play a small part in those things.

Please share some insight into what your job involves.
I have a few projects that stand out to me as ones I am really proud of; most recently, being involved with the COVID MAP testing project. I am proud to be part of a project that has had a dramatic impact in the community and the university in some very uncertain times. I am lucky to have been surrounded with amazing colleagues who were able to come together to make everything work.

Developing the Ducks Feeding Ducks application process with the UO Card Office was another project I was proud to be involved in. The project is designed to help fight against food insecurity by allowing students to apply for and receive funds on their DuckBucks account to purchase food

Share a little about yourself personally:

• Family: My spouse and I will have been married for 16 years this August. We have three cats, one that is nearly 16, and two that are almost 1. I have lived up and down the I-5 corridor my whole life, and I absolutely love Eugene! Aside from enjoying time with my wife and kitties, I like playing video games, watching the Trailblazers and Ducks, and traveling.
• Favorite food: The Bing King foot cart is always my top pick. My favorite food of all time is their sweet Old Street Original Jianbing with Youtiao and Chicken. Pro tip is to always ask how spicy their sauce is that day; but a 3 is a solid choice.

If you could only take three items with you to a deserted island, what would they be?
I think I’d be pretty set with a hammock. If I have to be practical, I’d take food and water. I just hope my spouse can come too!

How do you want to be remembered?
I hope I am remembered as someone that is lighthearted, curious, and a good colleague.

 

(July 2022)