“I think it’s important to like where you work, and there is a lot to like about an organization that wants to see you succeed, not set you up to fail. It’s a place of opportunity, and I’m a great example of that.”
Ray began his career at Weill Cornell Medicine as a Support Technician, assisting faculty, staff, and students with computer issues across campus. Now, as ITS’ Desktop Support Manager, he oversees a team of technicians who provide on-site services for over 10,000 users throughout New York City. From medical practices to laboratories to administrative offices, they support employees in every department and every type of work environment. “In this job, you look past the fact that you’re just setting up a computer at a desk. There’s a reason that computer is there. There’s a person using it, and that person is doing something that supports the mission of this entire institution.”
During Ray’s seventeen years at Weill Cornell, he’s had a chance to work on a myriad of projects, but one of his proudest achievements was helping create a walk-in IT service in the Samuel J. Wood Library. Now called the SMARTDesk, technicians are available there seven days a week to help employees and students troubleshoot computer and phone issues, as well as provide guidance on how to use ITS-supported software.
Every day presents new challenges, but Ray finds that to be one of the best parts of his job. “I enjoy projects with a lot of moving parts, and having been here for so long, a lot of people know me and come to me. It’s really rewarding to have so many different kinds of requests and questions come my way and be able to satisfy them.”
The other rewarding part of his role is managing and developing his team. “I try to cultivate a group that works collaboratively. It’s great to see staff members helping each other—if one person doesn’t have the answer, they turn to a colleague who might. They understand that they can accomplish more working together than working individually.”
When seeking new staff members, he looks for this collaborative spirit and a passion for their work. “I look for people who work well with others, that are enthusiastic, and want to learn and share knowledge. It’s less about their technical training and more that they can learn and grow in their job.”
What would Ray tell someone considering a career at Weill Cornell Medicine? “I think it’s important to like where you work, and there is a lot to like about an organization that wants to see you succeed, not set you up to fail. It’s a place of opportunity, and I’m a great example of that.”