Q: Many of us in LSA Technology Services are lucky to work with you on all types of projects. Can you tell us about your role?
Currently, I am nearly fully devoted to project management work with some operation work in service/change management and communications. One of my current projects is the Online Chat Service and moving it to operations. The largest project I am working on is ‘Develop and Launch Project Management Capability’ as part of our Strategic Initiatives. Additionally, I am working with ITS on a proof of concept model for a software directory for all university locations and units.
Q: Can you share your background and how you’ve incorporated your experience in project management with your work?
I didn’t start out thinking of a career in computing. I planned to be an engineer and even spent a summer in the WISE program at Michigan Tech. I learned computers while being babysat by my older siblings at their colleges. I found the computer a useful tool because I have dyslexia and it was easier for me than any other learning I had done. As a result, I worked running computer labs from high school through graduate school to pay my way. I studied Economics and never considered computing past paying the bills. I worked as an econometrician for a few years in capital budget forecasting leveraging my engineering studies. However, every job I had as an economist asked me to help out running computing since I had previous experience. My first job had me install their general ledger system and when I came to U-M, I was working part-time as an econometrician and part-time as a Unix administrator. By my second U-M job, I realized I could focus on one thing if I switched back to computing. Project management came up in my professional development work plan. I looked into certification and everything just clicked as I realized I had worked on various projects from installing a general ledger system to managing the technology installation in Weill Hall. I am so grateful to all the mentors who came into my path and added organization skills to my geeky tech side to land me where I am.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you? How has working remotely changed that during the pandemic?
My work day has often been back to back meetings with some project work blocked off defensively on my calendar. The pandemic made it easier for me to get to those meetings without being late but left me without a break at all on some days so I moved to short meetings on my calendar to try to create a buffer. I still struggle some days with balance. I am trying to be more mindful about it and taking breaks for well-being.
Q: What is the best part of your job?
The variety of work. I have had such great opportunities to learn new things and try them out in practice.
Q: How do you keep up with new technologies and trends to aid researchers in their work?
I would say I am addicted to learning. I usually have 4-8 non-fiction books going at a time. I listen to podcasts and take Coursera and LinkedIn Learning classes for fun. I regularly take the “strengths finder” test and “love of learning” is always at the top. I also love to learn from other people so you can find me asking questions about how things work any time I meet someone. I love to know what they are doing and how it works.
Q: What keeps you busy in your free time?
Before the pandemic I was working my way through all 50 states to run marathons. I managed to get through 39 states finishing SC just before lockdown. I run for the travel. I love to see new places and visit old friends. My last big trip was to India on a yoga pilgrimage to Rishikesh. I miss the trips I made bi-monthly to Toronto, where I started my yoga teacher training journey. To help with my cabin fever you can find me reading, dabbling in Babbel, or traveling virtually via the wonderful virtual experiences in iFit.
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I have the nickname 911 Nancy. My husband once reported me as abducted to U-M DPS and they ran their abducted person protocol in response. It happened due to a mishap with a safety app that I used when walking to the Ebel Field parking lot. I was on my way to a meeting and had not locked my phone when I put it into my pocket. The app accidentally opened and texted “help” to my husband. He was bothered by it so he called the non-emergency line for DPS. Given that I could not be found, they opted to run their protocol. Meanwhile I was holding a brown bag for some chief administrators on Google tools. By the time I got back to my coat, I had hundreds of missed texts and calls. As I was looking at my phone I got a call from Rhonda in Econ asking me to call DPS. I had to stay in place while they drove to meet me to be sure I was not answering under duress. All and all the collateral damage included: numerous passes through Lorch Hall during a donor event, countless graduate students thinking I was a hacker, my Starbucks barista showering me in hugs, and several poor sorority girls traumatized by DPS officers entering their house guns at the ready since my last known location was just in front of it.
