Can you tell us about your role and what a typical day looks like for you?
I work as an ERP Business Analyst (BSA) with the Teaching and Learning team. This role is mainly related to educational technology, which is my background. Having a computer science background is helpful, though not necessary for a BSA; for ERP, however, I recommend having at least some knowledge of how things work.
My day is a crazy day, typically. We have a lot of meetings with several other partners. For example, when working on AI projects, I collaborate closely with the Emerging Technology team to get their specifications and how they fit in with educational technology. So, a good combination of understanding emerging technologies and how they fit with the learning management system and educational technology.
What sparked your interest in the intersection of technology and education?
I have a double master’s in computer management and computer science. It started with computers and software, and while I was a student (and even before that), I always enjoyed teaching. I used to teach high school and college students for free. During my master’s, I was offered a teaching assistant position where I taught undergrad students. That’s when I realized I enjoyed teaching more than working with software. I started my internship with Hewlett Packard and was working with servers, but that was the time that I realized that, no, this is not what I enjoyed. So I decided to go back to teaching, which I did for more than ten years. I decided to combine my computer science background and my passion for teaching, which led me to complete my doctorate in educational technology with a specialization in learning management systems. That’s exactly what I’m doing now.
What drives you to excel in your role? Are there specific aspects of your work or moments that keep you motivated and inspired?
I love my work because this is not the department I just chose to work in, but this is my passion. So thank God that everything came together with what I wanted to do. I enjoy learning new technologies. When I see a new technology, my first thought is how can I use it with education, you know? How can my students benefit from it, and how can I explain those things and take advantage of it for faculty members? That’s what I enjoy, and even if I’m sick, I keep working because I love what I do. Now with AI, I personally feel like AI is not something you can decide if you want to work with or not. You have to because it will soon be needed for all of us. So now my focus is, of course, my main baby is Canvas, and using AI with Canvas is the second thing that I enjoy.
How do you measure the impact of your work, and how important is seeing your impact for you?
I really take pride in my work because it’s true that when you teach something, you learn twice. When I explain something, I also learn from faculty and workshop participants who ask various questions. These questions are like random, live questions, and most of the time we do have answers for them, but if we don’t, that gives us the opportunity to go back and try to find the answer to educate them again. It’s very satisfying when you teach. It’s very satisfying when people come to you, they ask questions, and they’re happy when they leave with answers.
Can you share a project or achievement in your work that you’re particularly proud of?
I’m proud of my work in AI. A couple of weeks ago, I attended the InstructureCon 2024 conference in Las Vegas for the first time. The University of Michigan is one of the biggest research universities in the United States, and I was representing how we use AI when meeting people for the first time who have been in this field for much longer. They look at U-M as a pioneer, the flag bearer, like “How are you guys doing? We want to follow your path.” That was a moment that I’m proud of and still think about.
What is one piece of advice you would offer to someone just starting out in your field?
Be patient. Especially when you are in front of a live presentation, try to grasp as much as you can and understand what people are trying to ask before responding. Be organized. There are so many things that can come on your plate, which can be overwhelming sometimes, but being patient and being organized are the two main keys to success here.
What’s one hobby you’d love to get into if you had all the time and resources in the world?
If I have time and everything I need, I’d like to work on the new technologies which I still try to do now. I like to learn, you know, and my brain needs some food for thought. That is why, after doing my doctorate and all, I’m still working on Canvas specialization. It keeps me happy. When there is a deadline, and there is an assignment I need to submit, I have the need to learn something new. So, I think I’ll keep learning; that is my passion.
Do you know what you want to write about if you have the time?
I started a blog a long time ago where I discussed educational technology tools, the new tools that keep coming out, and how to use them. It’s been dormant for a few years, but I would restart it if I had the time.
