I started out at UCSB in 1986 as a lab tech for a seismic reaserch group based out of the Geology Department. Within a couple years, the group became a part of the newly formed Institute for Crustal Studies (ICS), an Organized Research Unit (ORU). I helped manage the computing and network environment at the fledgling department for several years until the research group's principle investigator moved on to Duke University pursuing a tenure track position there. I got the group established there and was offered a position back at ICS managing a pool of seismic instrumentation and the departmental IT resources.
1990-2009 -- Computer/Network Technologist. Returned to the Institute for Crustal Studies. Responsibilities:
1990 -- Systems Programmer - Duke University. I went to Durham to get my supervisor established in his tenure track position at Duke University. Ended up returning to UCSB after about 6 months to continue working with the research unit he had left.
1986-1990 -- In my first UCSB position, at the Institute for Crustal Studies, I helped install, maintain and automate a digital seismic network in Parkfield, California. That position gave me my start in systems administration and programming.
1980-1986 -- I worked in the seismic oil exploration industry for five and a half years as an observer. This experience gave me a sound base in logistical planning, instrument maintenance and troubleshooting techniques.