Behind the Breakthroughs: The Essential Role of IT Consulting in Notre Dame's Science & Engineering

In this episode of Behind the Screens, the hosts Scott and Diana engage with Clay Berkley and Gwen Hagey-Shirk, senior IT solutions specialists at Notre Dame. They discuss their extensive experience in IT, the structure of their team, and the diverse challenges they face in supporting faculty, staff, and students. The conversation delves into the dynamics of IT consultancy, the tools they use, and the unique support issues they encounter, including working with outdated technology and specialized research equipment. They also share insights into their daily routines, seasonal variations in workload, and the importance of collaboration with vendors and other departments. The episode concludes with a light-hearted segment featuring fun questions about their experiences and preferences in the IT field.
Takeaways

• Gwen has been with Notre Dame for 25 years, while Clay has been there for 27 years.
• The team is divided into Client Support Services and DevOps.
• They handle a wide range of requests from first-level support to complex consulting.
• Faculty needs vary from research support to teaching assistance.
• They often help faculty find cost-effective technology solutions.
• The summer is busier due to faculty addressing issues from the academic year.
• They use tools like Beyond Trust and ServiceNow for support.
• Linux support is minimal, with most work focused on Windows and Mac.
• They have autonomy in their roles, allowing for varied daily tasks.
• Supporting important research gives them a sense of pride. 

About this podcast:
Behind the Screens: IT@ND is a podcast based out of the University of Notre Dame, where hosts Scott Russell (IT Director for the College of Arts & Letters) and Diana Garcia (IT Support Technician: Service Desk) give you a behind-the-scenes look at what IT consultancy is all about. Whether you're deep in the IT world or just curious about how technology powers a university, this podcast is for you.

Each episode gives insight into Information Technology at Notre Dame — with focus on how IT consultants support the University, breaking down the challenges they face and the innovative solutions they create. From interviews with experts driving key campus projects to practical tips for making the most of your tech, this podcast explains how IT teams work behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly across campus.

With this podcast, not only will you learn how technology professionals at Notre Dame help shape and support the future of the University, but you'll also get helpful insights and strategies to help you stay ahead.

About this podcast:
Behind the Screens: IT@ND is a podcast based out of the University of Notre Dame, where hosts Scott Russell (IT Director for the College of Arts & Letters) and Diana Garcia (IT Support Technician: Service Desk) give you a behind-the-scenes look at what IT consultancy is all about. Whether you're deep in the IT world or just curious about how technology powers a university, this podcast is for you.

Each episode gives insight into Information Technology at Notre Dame — with focus on how IT consultants support the University, breaking down the challenges they face and the innovative solutions they create. From interviews with experts driving key campus projects to practical tips for making the most of your tech, this podcast explains how IT teams work behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly across campus.

With this podcast, not only will you learn how technology professionals at Notre Dame help shape and support the future of the University, but you'll also get helpful insights and strategies to help you stay ahead.