Dream Job to Reality
By Devin, IT support specialist
Growing up in the hood, money was tight, but my mother made sure we did not go to bed without eating something. Being the first in my family to graduate high school came with a lot of pressure. I wanted to be the one to get a good job, move my family into a better neighborhood, and make their lives easier.
In all four years at my high school, Cristo Rey Boston*, I participated in the school’s Corporate Work Study program, which gives students the opportunity to work in a professional environment one day a week. I was placed at MathWorks my senior year, which was when I realized I could take my career much further and make a difference for my family.
Getting My Feet Wet
In the first half of my senior year, I worked with the Office Services Group, which gave me insight on the company and inspired me. At MathWorks, people help each other become the best version of themselves, and I had not noticed this quality at my other jobs and work-study placements. Many people gave me great feedback because of my work ethic and drive, which was really motivating for me.
During the second half of the year, I worked with the System Services Group, and this gave me more hands-on tasks. When I was growing up, I always liked computers and often found myself being the one to resolve my family’s technical issues, so I was excited to work with this team. I learned about hardware on the job from coworkers and on my own by researching online. I really liked working with hardware and moving around the campus.
At MathWorks, people helped each other become the best version of themselves, and I had not noticed this quality at my other jobs and work-study placements. Many people gave me great feedback because of my work ethic and drive, which was really motivating for me.
Building My Skills
By the end of my senior year of high school and the corporate work-study program, I knew that I wanted to work at MathWorks after completing college. To stay connected with the company while studying computer science at UMass Boston, I applied for internships each summer, and I became the first work-study participant to return to MathWorks as a college intern. I could not get enough of MathWorks, and I felt like I needed to do more learning and experiencing.
In my internships, I took on a bigger responsibility and got to help MathWorks staff throughout the company resolve their hardware issues. I performed new hire deployments, which involved delivering and installing different setups of computers and other hardware in each new MathWorker’s office. This allowed me to meet people all over the campus who were rooting for my success. Staff members receive surveys after their help requests are completed, and they consistently provided positive feedback on my work. During this time, I also began to collaborate with different teams and groups such as the End User Computing team and Office Services Group to make sure new hires have an excellent first day.
A Rewarding Experience
I know the work I am doing here is significant and meaningful. I enjoy resolving staff members’ technical challenges, because that means they can get back to their own impactful work. An issue with hardware is like a puzzle, and there are many learning moments in this environment. The team applauds and congratulates me on a job well done, and I feel appreciated here at MathWorks. In addition, I am learning to develop my hard and soft skills. Interning here during the summer, when school is out, lets me work a five-day week, which has been a blessing to say the least. Every day I wake up excited about going to work and making good things happen.
I want to let any student know to never lose faith and to put in good work, because in a few months time it can all come back to you tenfold. I urge other kids to get their hands dirty early in their career and to see my story as inspiration.
MathWorks is my second home. There is such tight camaraderie among the team that I forget that I am an intern some days! I have created strong relationships with my coworkers and managers. Even the friendly cafeteria staff know my name and have my usual order ready for me—MathWorks is currently providing free breakfast, lunch, and beverages, which I rely on to keep me going while I work to resolve people’s difficulties. I have had the privilege to use the game room and ping-pong table and take part in many other fun events across the campus for interns.
I want to let any student know to never lose faith and to put in good work, because in a few months time it can all come back to you tenfold. I urge other kids to get their hands dirty early in their career and to see my story as inspiration.
Devin and other students from Cristo Rey’s work-study program placed at MathWorks.
Acknowledgements
Along the way, several people have taken me under their wing, reminded me of the good work I am doing, and passed great words of encouragement on to me. They made sure I did not stray from the path of success, mentored me, opened my eyes to my potential, and urged me to continue to explore opportunities with the company in the future.
A big shoutout to Nancy, Tricia, Louvere, Brian, Jim, Andrew, Jaime, Steve, Corina, Andre, and many others—I appreciate you all so much. Thank you to Christine, Julie, and the Creative Services team for getting this story out there. Thanks to the Cristo Rey Corporate Work Study Program and staff; without Cristo Rey, I wouldn’t have ended up here and seized these great opportunities. Thank you to the MathWorks IT Frontline team for their support and encouragement on this journey. You all have made me a better technician and person.
* Cristo Rey Boston is a private high school with a rigorous college-prep curriculum that exclusively serves families of limited economic resources. Accepted students are offered full scholarships, sponsored by donors, grants, and partners in the school’s Corporate Work Study Program. Learn more about MathWorks involvement with the program.
