From Business Administration to IT Analyst – Jason Grady

Jason Grady (Durham, NC)

Career:  IT Analyst and Student Point-of-Contact Coordinator at Duke University School of Law

Steps towards becoming an IT Analyst and Coordinator: I moved to NC from VA and started at Duke University in 04’ as a Data Technician working with a Clinical Trials faction that performed studies for Cancer and Leukemia. After a year, a position opened designing and developing the forms that I used as a Data Tech. I applied and got the Information Designer/Developer position. This position was formally under the QA department but was moved under Information Technology. I had that position for 8 years. The clinical trials faction I worked with merged with a Mayo clinic clinical trials faction, and we were laid off. I then contracted with Duke University until I started at the Duke University School of Law as an IT analyst. My current title is Student Point-of-Contact Coordinator.

Currently, I manage our Helpdesk student workers and day-to-day IT operations at the Law school. We serve students, staff, faculty, and alumni with their technical needs.

1- What 3 tips would you give someone struggling to reach their goals?
-Find a mentor: someone that does what is it that you want to do
-Try to stay abreast for the current trends in your field
-Write a plan with a list of goals and steps to achieve

2- Name the top 3 goals you achieved?
-Indoctrinated myself into another field since my degree is in Bus Admin. I had to work hard to learn IT practices
-Completed certified IT trainings
-Created original content for training courses and taught courses to the Law community

3- What inspired you to reach your goals?
My family and friends’ support throughout my career

4- How did you overcome obstacles to reaching your goals?
Staying focused on the achievements and surrounding myself with people with positive energy and encouragement.

5- How do you keep your inspiration from decreasing?
Every time I see something that is a “want,” i.e., I want some new sneakers, I want to travel more, or I want to treat my mother to something beautiful. Those “wants” are motivation to keep pushing forward to reach my goals.