Did you hear? Mary Fasang, aka The Green Girl, is coming to Networking Field Day 22. Yay!
Connect with Mary at @runninggreengirl on Twitter, the web, or the Tech Field Day web site.
What are you most excited about seeing at the event?
I’m excited to meet other people in the industry and learn new things.
How did you get into technology and IT?
I was introduced to technology in the 1980’s when I helped my father, an electrical engineer, create his semiconductor patent submissions using CAD and a word processor.
Will you tell us a little about your current role?
I’m a Network Engineer in the industrial Manufacturing Industry. I’m currently in the process of upgrading the wireless networks at each plant.
What is your favorite thing about what you do?
I love networking because there is always something new to learn and some unexpected challenge that pops up. It’s never boring.
If you weren’t working in IT, what would you be doing instead?
I’d love to work for a non-profit organization to help provide support for individuals with a rare genetic disorder called Angelman Syndrome. If I was smart enough, I’d work on finding a cure for it.
What are your biggest challenges?
I’ve joked recently that I spend a significant portion of my time troubleshooting at Layer 1, but it’s a fact that there are a lot of physical challenges when working around heavy, potentially dangerous machinery and moving cranes.
Where do you see IT going in the next 3-5 years?
I am excited to see where automation is going to take us. And the improvements in wireless are also going to make a significant difference in the speed and availability of wireless connectivity.
What was your first computer? What was great about it? What is your go-to computer now?
I did CAD design and word processing for my father on an Intel 286 PC clone and printed on a dot matrix printer. I was the only student in my class with a computer and printer, so I was able to turn in printed homework. My go-to computer now is my new Surface Book 2.
How do you manage your work/life balance?
I multi-task. For example, I listen to courses/podcasts on my commute or when traveling (I download to my phone for flights). I also study when I’m cooking, cleaning, and even, on occasion, while I’m exercising. Work-wise, I try to be as productive as possible by creating to-do lists and checking items off.
Potato Chip Rock, near San Diego, California. Distance: 12.1 km. Difficulty: hard.
What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies?
I love running, eating, cycling, kickboxing, traveling, reading, and snowboarding.
What is the coolest thing you’re working on right now?
I’m trying to learn Python. It’s been a struggle so I made it my 2020 resolution – to learn to program.
Who inspires you?
My niece, Jade, inspires me. She has a rare genetic disorder called Angelman Syndrome and despite being trapped in a body that doesn’t want to cooperate, she finds ways to communicate and overcome her physical obstacles.
As a child, what did you want to do when you “grew up”?
A writer
What superhero movie character would you like to be and why?
Buzz Lightyear because he’s happy.
If you won the lottery and could retire, what would you do with your time?
The first thing I’d do is buy a running wheelchair and take my niece out for a run. After our run, I’d look into funding research to find a cure for Angelman Syndrome.
Here’s to finding a cure for Angelman Syndrome! <3
Looking forward to seeing you at Networking Field Day next week; February 12-14!
