Front and Center: Amy Stevens, MAT '06

Amy Stevens

If you've ever dreamed of getting the ideal job, meet Amy Stevens, MAT, 2006. She has done just that as the Web Communications Manager at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA, and she personifies what a goal, hard work, and a Grad Center education can lead to.

The epiphany that led to Amy's career success occurred in the summer of 2005 during an interview for a financial services position in downtown Boston. In response to the question of where she would like to see herself in five years, Amy realized it would be running an academic technology program for a small liberal arts college somewhere in the northeast.

Goodbye financial services position, hello world of technology. She went home and Googled "Instructional Technology Program" and Marlboro College Graduate Center was the first link. The next day, she and her family and drove to Brattleboro, met Kevin Bell and some of the staff, and she left with an application in hand. Says Amy, "I knew that this program would be what I needed to radically change the direction I was heading in and reach my professional goals."

And Amy has done just that. As the Web Communications Manager at that small liberal arts college in the northeast, she jokes that she is the Internet at the college. Our multi-tasker plans and implements all of the online marketing and email marketing campaigns, and handles most of the content, the blog and the college's podcasts. Amy happily notes: "I'm not running an academic technology program at MCLA (that would be MAT instructor Wendy McGrath) but I got a job that fits me better that I feel I excel at, and I feel I hit my five year plan three years early."

"I could never have gotten the job I have now without my experience at Marlboro."

Amy is also quick to credit her Grad Center experience for some of her success and career satisfaction. She observes: "I could never have gotten the job I have now without my experience at Marlboro. The truth is that I learned something valuable in every class I took that makes the crucial difference in the quality of work I am able to do on a daily basis."

While working at MCLA has provided Amy with the career she wanted, there's a bonus. Thanks to the college's location, Amy has been able to live in that area she envisioned as well. "One of the great things about living in the Berkshires has to be the proximity to the great outdoors. Every night after I put my kids to bed, I'm able to spend an hour hiking the local hills, and on weekends I try to scoot out for an hour or so on Mt. Greylock."

The right job in the right place, and a dream realized. Our congratulations to you, Amy, and our assurance that we're delighted you're a Grad Center alum.

This Summer, Learn a New Language

Introduction to Programming Concepts using Ruby offers an introduction to the core concepts of computer programming. Whether you're preparing for entry into the Master of Science in Internet Engineering program, want to develop your skills beyond Master of Science in Information Technologies offerings in the web application area, or are simply interested in developing dynamic websites on your own, this workshop provides a solid foundation for you to build on.

This is a non-credit course meeting consecutive Saturdays starting June 30th. Concerned about giving up all your summer Saturdays? The classes will be Podcast, so, if you miss any, you can keep up. This course will be led by Mark Francillon, Master of Science in Internet Engineering (MSIE) Program Director.

And you can't beat the price: $100 for all 6 classes. If you decide to enroll in the MSIE or MSIT program in the fall, you will qualify for a full refund of this fee. How can you top FREE? It's easy to register.

June Really is Bustin' Out All Over

Events are blossoming at the Grad Center as we continue to host open sessions for the public good. Check out the "GScene." There's everything from a session requesting public opinion on town owned river front property to a book signing and slide show: "The Vision Keepers: Walking for Native Americans and the Earth." So come to the Grad Center and enjoy this bouquet of offerings. For more information on these events, check out http://gradcenter.marlboro.edu/news/events.html.

Class Notes

Marykay McCarthy, ISM '99, recently updated us: "Ok, I have avoided this a long time but thought I would let you know what I have been up to since our graduation in 1999. I moved from Burlington, VT in December 2000 to Tucson, AZ. I have had a couple of different positions since I have been here but finally have settled in at Intuit, Inc. We are the makers of QuickBooks, Quicken, Turbo Tax and various other software programs.

The best part of my job is that I work from home for four days a week, ten hours each day, with every Friday off. It has been a great experience. I live on the edge of the Saguaro National Forest and have learned to live with many unusual animals and the hot sun. Also, I discovered that I am part lizard. I love the weather here and often wonder how I survived in Vermont! One drawback is that I have not been able to grow a tomato since I moved out here. If the animals don't get them, then the hot sun does. Hope all is well in New England and the various other spots where Grad Center people have migrated. Take care."

Dawn Barnhart ISM '99, sent us the following: "I am moving to Denver, CO! I've been looking for a new locale and decided to try the Mile-High City. I'll still be teaching, although no longer as a full-time faculty member, at the Art Institute of Denver - sister school to my current employer - The New England Institute of Art. I am continuing to work as an online design/ media consultant and hope to reinvigorate my personal creative projects with the extra time I'll have.

I arrive in Denver the second week of June. Am really excited about the prospect of a new city, school and living in the west. Best wishes to all."

Career Opportunities

Web Marketing
Techistry INC
Easthampton, MA

Techistry INC is seeking a full time web marketing person.

• Must be able to drive traffic and revenue
• Capable of basic HTML , CSS and other Meta / key word related tasks.
• Understand how to work with Google Webmaster Tools
• Must be able to take the lead on projects and be self motivated.

This is a MID level position that requires being in NY 3-4 days a week.
Mail your resume to directly to: Jacob M Del Hagen, delhagen@techistry.com
Techistry INC
P.O. Box 458
EastHampton , MA 01027
413-529-2311

Instructional Designer
College of Mount St. Joseph
Cincinnati, Ohio

The College of Mount St. Joseph is accepting applications for the position of Instructional Designer. The Instructional Designer performs instructional design operations for faculty; proactively works with faculty to integrate technology into instructional programs both inside and outside the classroom; manages implementation and administration of course management and ePortfolio software systems.

Complete job description may be found at: http://www.msj.edu/about/directory/humanres/employment/salaried/instructional/

To apply, please send cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references to:
Ms. Kim Hunter, Director of Instructional Technology,
College of Mount St. Joseph, 5701 Delhi Road, Cincinnati, OH 45233-1670.
A review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.

Global Kids, Inc.
New York, NY
Global Kids' Online Leadership Program, now in its seventh year, is about to experience significant growth in a number of areas with the hiring of eight additional staff members.

PDFs for each position, along with a description and position status, can be viewed below. Information about applying can ONLY be found within the PDFs. Job-related questions may be asked in the comment box associated with this post. http://www.holymeatballs.org/2007/05/olpjobs.html

Lead Web Applications Developer
BuildingGreen, Inc.
Brattleoboro, VT

BuildingGreen, Inc. in Brattleoboro, VT is seeking a multi-talented geek to solve the myriad technical challenges of our small print and online publishing company, which serves the high-performance green building industry. Can you set up an FTP server, optimize a SQL query, design/build/test/maintain an evolving ColdFusion Web CMS and ecommerce site, run a mailing list, and make a mean batch of chocolate chip cookies? You should also be comfortable hand-coding HTML/CSS, working from a bug-tracking system, and deploying from source-control. We are a mission-driven company that produces cutting-edge editorial content with technological sophistication; we also leave our shoes by the door. If you are torn between revolutionizing the Web and saving the world, you'll fit right in.

Send resume and a letter of interest to jobs@BuildingGreen.com