Name: Judy Kriehn
Title: Communications Coordinator
Company: Garland Independent School District
How I arrived at my present job (academic and other influences): I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art w/a specialization in advertising and graphic design in 1979 from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. After graduating from college, a friend referred me to an opening at the district. I went only because I didn't feel like going to the printing company job I held at the time. I stayed around partly because (a) I cringe at the thought of enduring job interviews and (b) it has been a job that I could sort of write my own job description as I went along. (they had nobody with my skills before, and probably won't have anybody after I leave/retire whatever comes first. :) )
When I started, all I did was design-related. I could not imagine doing anything else but publication design. However, as a school district, funds were always tight, so the number of "typeset" things we could do in any year were limited.
With the advent of desktop publishing, suddenly I could conceivably create typeset looking brochures for the cost of typing alone. Cool! So, I embarked on the quest for a computer to do this. At this same time (about 1986) the district was acquiring it's first PCs (IBM XT clones). I managed to write a proposal that scored one of those first machines on MY desk! Ooh la la!
Now the quest for software. HaHaHaHa. At that time, the graphics had already begun their funneling toward mac systems. Software for PCs was virtually unheard of, except for technical manuals. Which was Xerox Ventura Publisher. Needless to say, that is what I got. I learned as I went along on that software.
Around this same time period, I started adding to my skills. While I did not perceive myself as a writer, a boss I had saw that skill in me somewhere, and insisted that I start writing publications as well as design them. Turns out I have a knack for editing other people's mass quantities of information into usable information for regular people to understand. Now, I probably write as much or more than I design.
Around 1996, I started hearing about the Internet. I had resisted e-mail and such for years, but I attended a presentation when the following statement was made: "If you don't create a website for your district, someone else will and YOU will have NO CONTROL over what it says." I soon found out that was indeed the case - there were many "unofficial" GISD sites floating around full of bad writing, bad graphics, and bad information. It was time to undertake learning about websites/webpages.
When my boss and I started getting serious about this effort, the district computer departments started a similar effort - but were having turf wars over the topic, and were, I suspect, convinced that they could use the website to make a case for hiring yet more staff. Then the Board of Trustees and the Superintendent decided to reorganize those two departments. Needless to say, the website became a non-priority. Which was fine with my boss, his boss, and me. We just went on about our business getting a site launched in spite of the non-cooperative "techies."
And now, I am (I suppose) the webmaster. Although I prefer the title "Web Czarina" myself. More accurately, I manage the site.
How I organize my day: First priority is always responding to e-mail - particularly that from prospective employees requesting application information and current/prospective patrons with questions about the district. After that, it is sort of whatever strikes my fancy vs. what is on the tightest deadline. I don't use a calendar. I have found I just don't use them, no matter how many, how fancy, etc. they might be. (sigh)
Amount of time spent working daily (at home and office): Ummm. 8-10 for "real" job, other hours for part-time jobs/website management duties.
What I do to get myself thinking creatively: This comes naturally for me. I am hearing impaired, so I had to master creative thinking to survive in a hearing world. However, when working on a design problem, I always fall back on a comment made by my old advertising art professor: "The first idea you have is usually the most trite. Go ahead and sketch it out, get it over with, then throw it away. It will become the springboard to better and more innovative ideas."
My problem-solving strategy: Sleep on it. Really. If I am really struggling with coming up with a new solution to an old problem, I usually end up dreaming about it - and a solution will often rise to my consciousness as I'm waking up. Go fig.
What I do to relieve stress: Buy fabric. (I am a quilter. I love fabric. It makes me happy to touch something tactile like fabric.)
My hero, mentor, or person I most admire and why: Dr. Deborah Cron - she is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Educational Operations for Garland ISD. She was my boss prior to this assignment - and was the one who saw talents in me that I did not. I will always appreciate her confidence in me and her quiet support when I need(ed) it.
What I do to mentor those who work for me: I don't actually supervise anybody. But people who want to learn a skill from me, I try to show them several ways to do a project and let them choose the method that will work best for them.
How a negative event changed my life in a positive way: I think the death of my parents would be the most significant. My mom died of cancer when I was 21 and my dad died ten years later. While they had always taught me to be independent, after their deaths I had to take responsibility for my life - and make decisions accordingly.
One event or decision in my life I wish I could go back and change: I'd prefer not to go into detail. Suffice it to say I was pretty naive and stupid when in college, and allowed people to take advantage of me.
What values are the most important to me and what I value in others:
Honesty & Integrity
Sense of humor
Acceptance of others (I chafe at people who want me to be their clone;
think their way, look their way, behave their way, etc.)
What inspires, motivates, or gets me excited about my job on a daily
basis:
(1) Positive feedback from coworkers
(2) Continually challenging myself to try new things/skills
Biography:
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Location: www.acm.org/crossroads/dayinlife/bios/judy_kriehn.html