Ryan Crooks
Student Data Center Specialist
Information Technology Services - Telecommunications
What is your academic level?
Junior
What is your major/concentration?
Political Science
Which campus are you a student at?
Storrs
What is your job title(s)?
Student Data Center Specialist
What department(s) or agency do you work for?
Information Technology Services – Telecommunications
How did you find your position? (I.e. JobX, 12Twenty, word of mouth, etc.). What was the process like from application to the offer stage? Please detail your experience.
During my freshman year at UConn, I was searching for an on-campus job and regularly checked listings on JobX (now 12Twenty). I was particularly interested in opportunities within the Information Technology Services (ITS) department. I applied and interviewed for three roles, but the Data Center role stood out to me the most. During the interview, the team explained what my role would involve and what a typical day may look like. They also asked about my comfort level with tasks such as lifting heavy equipment, or working on ladders, since that is essential to day-to-day operations. Additionally, they asked several questions about my interest in technology and my background to better understand my experience and personality. After the formal interview, I was given a tour of the Data Center. My current supervisor, Armand, walked me through the Data Center and explained how fiber is distributed to buildings across campus, what different pieces of network equipment do, and even showed me the fiber connection that supported my dorm buildings network. A few days later, I received an offer for the position and began working shortly after.
What made you apply for the position?
Coming into UConn, I was a Computer Science major. I had always had an interest in technology, however, I didn’t know what I could do with it. Because of this, I was eager to gain hands-on experience, which is what motivated me to apply for a position with the ITS department. I had the opportunity to interview with three different departments within ITS and learn about the variety of services UConn supported. From the ITS Help Desk, to Microsoft services, and ultimately the Data Center working with networks, these interviews helped me better understand what I was interested in the most.
How have you been able to balance your schoolwork and work responsibilities? Please provide details of any challenges or hurdles you have encountered.
During my time at the Data Center, as I have progressed in my coursework and taken on more responsibility through promotions, there have been times where it has been challenging to keep up with schoolwork. Because I support my own education, it is important that I maintain a steady income to help cover loan payments, bills and other essentials. This makes time management crucial. When my shift is over, I make it a priority to focus on schoolwork and studying before attending social events or other activities. One challenge is that office hours or supplemental instruction are often scheduled during my work hours, which means I regularly miss them. To work around this, I regularly email my professors or teaching assistant to ask questions, request alternate meeting times, or clarify course material. There have also been times when I needed to leave early or come in late due to academic commitments, and I could not have asked for a more supportive team. My supervisor, Armand, encourages me to take time off during finals and consistently reminds me that if I ever need time to prioritize schoolwork, it will be approved. This support has made it possible for me to successfully balance being a full-time student while working a part-time job.
What are your personal keys to success? What aspects of your job do you find the most fulfilling?
My personal keys to success are making a difference, being a team player, and always being willing to assist wherever I am needed. I try to contribute in any way that helps the team move forward and keep Data Center operations running smoothly. The most fulfilling part of my job is helping upgrade IT equipment and getting new network servers up and running efficiently. I also enjoy helping to keep network operations running smoothly by attending to issues and resolving them quickly to limit service disruptions. Knowing that my work helps maintain technological services for students, faculty and staff makes my job especially rewarding.
Describe your typical day at work? (I.e. your job responsibilities, and things you are allowed to do on the job).
My typical day at the Data Center can vary depending on what needs to be done. Some days I am installing new network equipment or technology servers, while other days I am working through tickets to troubleshoot and resolve issues. I also spend time creating and updating documentation to support future auditing and internal knowledge bases. Another part of my role that I enjoy is visiting the ITS Business Office to pick up mail or packages for the Data Center. As I have progressed through my role, I have begun taking on larger responsibilities. For example, I now utilize SSH (Secure Shell) to log into PDUs (power distribution units), which allows me to configure the devices that manage and distribute power to servers and network equipment in the data center. I am also currently working on developing an application to help streamline requests for card access, which will make it more efficient to get new employees the proper credentials.
What skills have you acquired or developed in your on-campus job that contribute to your career readiness?
At the Data Center, I have developed several skills that contribute to my career readiness. I have strengthened my communication skills by regularly communicating with other IT staff and external vendors to resolve issues. I have also improved my ability to organize and maintain clear documentation, which is important for audits and internal knowledge bases. Technically, I have gained experience using tools such as SSH and the command prompt, as well as working with different network media types and data center equipment. Additionally, the role has helped me build reliability and professionalism by consistently completing tasks and responding to issues that help keep operations running smoothly.
