Staff Spotlight: Lois Graham

In this Staff Spotlight, Lois talks about what she does as an Implementation Specialist, how she got to where she is today, and what she loves about working at ComputerTalk.

By Accident

My college degree (earned a good, long time ago) is in English Literature. Looking back, I didn't know what I wanted to do when I grew up, and I had to pick a major: accidental English degree!

I fell into Information Technology (IT) by accident while working a temp job. No one was fixing our computers and work wasn’t getting done. I had a great mentor and I taught myself the ropes. The temp job became permanent and a 2-week data entry assignment led to a 5-year Windows System Administration job for three sites. So, I kept doing IT: accidental career path!

When a previous contract position started to fade away, I decided to practice interviewing. My first practice interview resulted in an unexpected job offer, so I stayed there for 14 years (it was a great job, until it wasn't): accidental long-term job!

Seeking employment with ComputerTalk was not an accident. I wanted to work here. And I suppose it was time to grow up.

With Purpose

Originally hired at ComputerTalk to assist in efficiently deploying ice to our customers, I have also been encouraged to insert myself into conversations where I might add value, identify gaps in process and potential for automation, and rethink methodology that can get us away from “this is how we’ve always done it.” Every day offers a new opportunity to solve a problem, work with a new group of peers, learn a new thing, lead an initiative. I love it!

My accidental English degree allows for an aptitude for communication and documentation. Starting with documenting some best-practices and how-to knowledgebase articles to encourage standardization in our customer implementations, I’m now assisting the Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (DR) teams in developing runbooks for business-critical processes and technology, and addressing DR issues should they arise.

My accidental IT background allows me to better understand our infrastructure and processes related to technology. I love to find better ways to do things. This starts by identifying pain points and gaps in processes, and then finding automation opportunities for those pain points and solutions for those gaps. We’re pivoting to a more agile approach to how we do tech, and that’s exciting for us technologists.

My accidental jobs of my past taught me what I want in the company that employs me. I’ve been looking for a company that respects its employees, values our potential, empowers us, and offers the freedom to explore our passions. Apparently, I was looking for ComputerTalk!

It’s hard to sell Company Culture to someone who has never experienced it. ComputerTalk doesn’t just talk about culture – we live it. Each one of us is valued not just for what we can do for the company and our customers, but for who we are as human beings. ComputerTalk is diverse, welcoming, open-minded, and committed to being a great place to work. Finally – purpose.