1. How do you use math in your job? Throughout my career I have had to analyze financial data and write computer programs that calculate numerical results. Currently, I use Excel spreadsheets to compare and calculate figures like overall and projected revenue, as well as, performance averages for employees. I'm also responsible for designing and developing computer-related projects, which requires estimating budgets, forecasting future expenses, planning computer system capacities and performance, designing computer and network configurations -- all of which requires math. 2. What kind of math? For the most part, I am creating and solving equations. I think this would be categorized as Algebra.

3. How did you feel about math when you were in school?

I truly enjoyed math when I was in school because I liked the challenge of solving problems. I liked the continual challenge so much that I often took advantage of opportunities to do extra-credit assignments, or to work on special projects. My favorite classes were Algebra and Calculus. I also loved the math equations in Chemistry and Physics. When you apply formulas and calculations to your life and your surroundings, it really starts to make sense.


4. How do you feel about it now?

I'm thankful for having taken math throughout my education, including college. My classes provided me with a solid foundation of mathematical knowledge that I use each and every day of my life. Aside from my profession, I use math in my personal life to manage my finances and expenses, to calculate bills at restaurants and stores, to cook, to build furniture, to maintain my home, etc. There is no end to the ways in which we all use math. In addition to the obvious applications, I recognize that years of math have developed my ability to use critical-thinking to solve problems that may not even be mathematical. Problem-solving skills are essential to being successful in anything you chose to do.


5. Job title/description?

My official job title is Best Practices Delivery Consultant. You are probably asking yourself, "What on earth does that mean?" To help you understand, let me give you a brief overview of my company and my responsibilities. I work for a world-wide, high-tech organization called StorageTek. As companies become increasingly dependent upon computers and the internet to run their business, more and more critical data and information is created. All that data has to go somewhere, right? My company provides products and services designed to store and manage VERY LARGE amounts of data. Banks, insurance companies, hospitals, phone companies, grocery stores, plane manufacturers, e-commerce operations and even movie production houses are some of our clients. For example, Lucas Films Ltd. used our equipment and expertise to store and protect all of the computer-generated special effects for Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. To help our clients determine what to do with their data, we have a group of people who specialize in consulting. Our consultants will review what a client is doing to store and protect computerized information and then the consultants will make recommendations as to how to improve or expand our client's operations. After presenting a recommendation, the consultants are often involved in installing hardware, software or networking. My job is to help our consultants be more consistent, accurate and effective. My group, Best Practices, does this by providing our consultants with a collection of guides and resources. With our extensive technical and customer relations experience, Best Practices determine the "best" ways in which to approach specific storage needs. We have also created a consistent approach to working with our clients called a "methodology". Although I work on our overall objectives, my specific role in the group is to create and manage our intranet site which delivers all of our documentation and web-enabled management applications. No small task. In addition to constantly updating and managing the website, I'm currently working on selecting and developing two web-enabled applications which will be integrated into our website. The first application is for project (time) tracking. The second is a database which collects and evaluates consultants' skills.


6. Did you have to go to college to get this job?

There is no doubt in my mind that I would not be where I am today without having gone to college. While my position doesn't require a specific degree, my college education provided the computer experience and business knowledge necessary to develop my career and be successful in my current position.


7. If so, for how long?

I attended 4 years of college and graduated with a BA in Liberal Studies (emphasis in Computer Science, Languages and Cross-cultural Studies).


8. If so, what kind of math did you take there?

I took six classes in computer programming, which is the equivalent to a Minor degree in Computer Science. In addition, I took a semester of Theoretical Calculus where I worked on the mathematical proofs of the theorems and formulas used in Calculus.


9. Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions concerning the answers above.


Thank You,
Corina Hughes
chughes@storagetek.com