Email:
riesej@nwasco.k12.or.us
Occupation:
School District IT Specialist
Phone Number for follow-up questions:
5099643137
Title of presentation:
My Path to IT
Brief Professional Biography:
I’ve spent the past 3 years working as an IT Specialist for the Columbia Gorge Service District, where we provide technical service and network support for 4 school districts. I didn’t expect to end up in IT, as I didn’t believe my hobbies could turn into my career, but my life experiences led me there and it is a perfect fit for me.
What is one highlight of your career field?
Variety. I could be using powerful computers one moment, or helping someone and having them thank me the next. I could be running fiber through school basements or preparing thousands of Chromebooks for students to use.
How did you get to your career?
I went from teaching English in Japan to teaching STEM with 4-H and working in the schools. It was a true case of “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. I’m learning everyday, but that’s the best part.
What does your average day look like on your job?
Start the day with a short pow-wow with the other techs to go over jobs for the day, whether they be deploying computers, troubleshooting computer issues, running new fiber connections between two buildings, using advanced hardware and software to configure dozens of computers at a time, meeting with principals over standardization, make changes to the configuration of the phone server, or a dozen other things that could be on the list. Then go do it 🙂
Are there any tips you have for individuals seeking to start this career or do you know if there are scholarship or internship opportunities available with your career?
Speak with your counselor to see if you can meet with your school’s IT Director. They can show you a day in the life and you’ll see whether it’s a path that would interest you.
