Have you met Jordan, client support analyst with Information Services and Technology? Spend a few minutes getting to know him a little better.
What is your first U of A memory?
Either dropping off one of my friends by what is now the PAW centre — but wasn’t at the time — or meeting a friend in V-wing, which doesn’t exist any more.
What was the first or most important piece of your home office set up?
Probably deciding home desktop or work laptop — my desktop setup is nicer overall.
What’s something you’ve done to help make the shift to working remotely easier?
We have chats open constantly. We’ve always used them, but there’s been a definite uptick, and that ongoing social connection is really important.
What’s the most boring thing about you?
I get really distracted by little language things. I’m more likely to read a book for the way it’s written than the story.
If you could see any live performance tomorrow, what would it be?
I’d like to see Patrick Stewart do his one-man Christmas Carol.
What’s something your coworkers don’t know about you?
I did a master’s degree in applied linguistics — which some people know, but seem to forget because it has little to do with what I do on a day-to-day basis.
What’s your favourite lunch or snack to enjoy while working from home?
I’ve been making cheese toasties with cheese and roast beef. I do love a hot lunch — that, and I don’t have to spend money on coffee; I can make it whenever I want.
What’s something you would tell your 18-year-old self?
It sounds like a classic country song, but I would probably say: don’t worry, don’t rush it, things will happen. And have fun.
You have a friend visiting Edmonton for the first time — where do you take them?
Actually, my sister-in-law and her family just visited for the first time. I took them to the river valley and to West Ed, and downtown, and to Whyte ave. I think the river valley would be number one.
What’s your favourite distraction?
I have a habit of following French twitter accounts, so that I get snippets of news and learn new words. I think it’s undervalued as a language-learning tool.
Jordan is a small guy with a big passion for education and technology. He’s familiar with the student, staff and faculty experience, having been all three. He’s studied in three countries, holds degrees from two provinces and has taught courses at the graduate and undergraduate level in BC and in Alberta. Ever the tinkerer, he found his place in IST where he can exercise both of his passions to uplift the whole people.