Kate Leroux's profile answers

My most influential mentor was Jim Clowes, a professor of Comparative History of Ideas at UW. He was a passionate and dynamic man who cared deeply about changing the world. He taught me, by example, that everyone is passionate and excited about something, and that you can draw that out of them pretty easily. He related to everyone he encountered on a very personal level, by assuming that they were a worthwhile and interesting person with big ideas, and taking a few moments to ask and listen....

Working for three months in San Antonio while helping to deploy some internal software at a call center (while at AT&T Wireless). I went home every couple of weekends, but was there long enough to make some friends and get to know the city.

teacher, circus performer, locksmith

Technical support

Business Analyst -> Functional Analyst -> System Analyst -> System Analyst II

Responsible for all internal-facing systems

I couldn't afford a car, so I took advantage of the free bus pass and learned to get all over the city on the bus. I'm still a fan of Metro and take it to work 10 years later.

We have weekly happy hour, ultimate frisbee, and soccer groups here. Also, a lot of us are such computer geeks that we do computery stuff after work for fun!

1. Anywhere from two to six computers or laptops that I'm building or fixing, plus a nearby four-screen display of our system status - so, lots of screens

2. My Edward Gorey calendar (The Gashlycrumb Tinies)

3. The desks of my colleagues, including Ariel's foiled desk, which I helped create

4. Lots of blinky lights in the doorway to our server room

5. The door to our corner of the building, so I get to watch everyone coming and going...

Working directly with students. It was very satisfying to be able to help a kid when they're having a technical problem that is impacting their ability to learn. It was especially fun to talk to the really bright, quick students, who made tech support easy by asking the right question.