What area do you work in within the VPFA portfolio?
I do IT! Specifically, I do IT for User Support Services Academic North, a department of Information Services
What is your current position, and what are your job responsibilities?
My current position is IT Consultant 2. I’m the dedicated IT person for Knight Campus. I generally act as the first point of contact for IT needs over here at Knight Campus. I help with concerns folks have with their computing or get my customers to the correct group to get help. Some common tasks I do are: setting up new computers, fixing broken computers and/or software, helping customers understand systems/software they use, and keeping an eye out for the security of the environment.
What has been your career path; how did you end up in your current position?
I’ve been in IT for 7 years or so now, doing the same type of job the entire time. I started as a student employee for UO Libraries working as an IT Assistant. I worked that job while I was going to school for my Psychology degree. After I graduated, I worked IT Support for Papé for a couple years, then landed a gig at the UO as an IT Consultant. I’ve been here since then!
What obstacles have you overcome in your career?
How much I care about doing a good job for my customers is both a blessing and a curse. For the folks who want my help or at least accept it, I can make this fixing your computer process as easy and painless as possible. However, some folks aren’t so keen on getting IT help, which, honestly, in most situations is perfectly fine. One big obstacle for me was to understand that not everyone wants my help and that sometimes the correct response is to be hands off. Everyone has their own way through the world, and that’s a good thing.
What is your work history and education that enabled you to attain your current position?
My initial entry-level role as a student employee left me well positioned to get into IT after I left school. Since then, I’ve hopped positions a time or two but done similar work at the core. The moves haven’t felt especially significant as my work experience directly applies. I believe a big driver of success in IT is communication skills, and my degree in Psychology serves as proof of my commitment to caring about people and my communication. So, there is that.
How has working at UO enabled your professional goals and interests?
In my last role, I took on the responsibility of being the Student Supervisor. I hadn’t anticipated managing employees being a part of my path, but I ended up really enjoying that role. That work has opened up to me the possibility of working as a manager in the future. Another reasonable/ interesting path is to work as a Systems Administrator. I’m not sure yet!
What do you like about your current position?
I love working with people and building relationships! In my role, I work with everyone, which means I have opportunities to interact with folks of all skill levels, experience, and role in the hierarchy. I really enjoy that I can help people with their computer concerns and get to know them a bit along the way.
Please share some insight into what your job involves.
One ticket I’m proud of is for the licensing of a software for a lab. In short, Siemens uses frustrating-to-understand licensing tools that lack good documentation, which require complicated firewall configurations, whose support I find lacking. I was able to troubleshoot through it, though. I could understand all the systems around it. Once I confirm what is NOT causing the problem, then I find what the problem is.
It's a lot easier to fix problems when you know what you’re trying to fix.
What advice do you have for others; what secrets would you share for someone thinking of applying to the UO?
At least from my experience from hiring in IT, make sure you try and fill out every minimum qualification, professional competency, and preferred qualification you can. The more of those qualifications you can demonstrate in your application, the more likely you are to advance to the interview stage.
Share a little about yourself personally:
I love music! I can play tuba, euphonium, and trombone very well. I can play piano and bass guitar well enough to do some good tunes. Currently, I’m practicing and performing with the Oregon Tuba Ensemble, which is an ensemble full of tuba and euphonium players!
When I was out on the IS/Libraries camping trip in Charleston last month, DJ, Duncan and I took some kayaks out into the bay and I had a thought: What If I bring my euphonium out here on the water and play it?
Maybe you can see that if you decide to tag along on that camping trip next year : P
(August 2023)