Life at DIR

 

A Technology Agency Powered by People

DIR is honored to serve as the cornerstone of public sector technology in Texas. While we may be a technology agency, we’re an agency powered by people. DIR serves those who serve, and we are fiercely dedicated to our mission and vision.  With more than 200 employees who collaborate with industry partners to deliver a diverse set of services, the DIR approach is a model that other states would like to implement because of its success and resiliency in the face of security and workforce challenges.

 

 

See more about the various employees and roles at DIR:

Why did you come to DIR?

I had reached my pinnacle at my previous job and was ready for new opportunities; I wanted to continue to work in a state agency and was well aware of DIR's stellar reputation as an employer.  

What is the culture like at DIR?

Welcoming, inclusive, authentic

In your position, what skills should someone have?

Interpersonal skills and good communication are essential for this position.     

What is your favorite part of your job?

Problem resolution. I enjoy putting all the pieces together for a customer to help resolve their issues.

What advice do you have for someone new in the industry?

Network. There are so many opportunities to learn and grow professionally through networking!

If you wrote a book about your career so far, what would you title it?

Square Pegs and Round Holes- To contradict the phrase "you can't fit a square peg in a round hole."  You can find your place and be successful anywhere as long as you broaden your perspective.  

How do you manage your time?

I list tasks by priority and tackle them according to urgency and timeframe.

In your opinion, what is a good habit to have?

Being physically active every day.

What is one mistake you made early in your career?

Not taking advantage of the training and certification opportunities that were available to me.

Which has been more valuable in your career, education, or experience?

I think education is an experience in itself. So, each is equally valuable.

What motivates you?

Quality of life.

Why did you come to DIR?

The DIR culture, talented people, innovative organization, opportunities, allow all employees equal access to learn, develop, and advance professionally.

What is the culture like at DIR?

Friendly, fast, talented people, technology, less structures compare to other state agencies, more opportunities etc.

In your position, what skills should someone have?

Experience and knowledge of state procurement, contract management, procurement and contract compliance, negotiations skills, accountabilities, communication skills, teamwork, problem solving, planning and organizing, and a sense of urgency.

What is your favorite part of your job? 

Pride in serving the State of Texas. Interacting and communicating with people.

How do you manage your time? 

Stay organized, time management, prioritize, and plan ahead. Take control of your time, don't let time control you.

How do you maintain work/life balance?

I don’t, but trying to by planning ahead, learn to say “no.”

In your opinion, what is a good habit to have?

Organize, Planning, self-discipline, live below your means.

What motivates you?

I am driven primarily by my desire to learn and to master the contracting field.  I like being a helpful and dependable team member, developing expertise and providing resources to customers and vendors. I am also drive by my future, for myself and family.

 

My name is William Fang, I’m a Senior SharePoint Developer/Administrator and currently working in Information Technology Services Division at DIR. As a software engineer and a member of the DIR Dream Team (IT Application Development Team), my work consists primarily of evaluating, designing, developing, and maintaining the complex systems/applications of DIR and also serve as the SharePoint Developer/Administrator and Salesforce Developer responsible for supporting user applications and tools like Azure DevOps, Visual Studio 2019, Visual Studio Code, Oracle, Salesforce, SQL Server, Business Objects, SharePoint applications, web interfaces and web services. Additionally, my work supports client server applications and programming environments that are also part of the DIR computing environment. I also assist in the planning, scheduling, and performance of programming projects, coordinating programming projects, analyzing proposed computer applications, planning, documenting, and developing programs to provide technical assistance to users and management.

A day in my role: I usually arrived onsite at 8:00 am. When I am working remotely, my workday still kicks off about the same time. I really enjoy working in open office spaces and our team at DIR is lucky to work in such a space that brings us more closely together and helps better communication that boosts collaboration. It is so fun to listen to my teammates talk about what has happened after work, such as the good and the bad and the new challenges that have surfaced. After a short gathering, I then work for a while, meaning, I mostly write code, review code with other developers, and/or troubleshoot production issues. As for the last part, we do that quite a lot. There are plenty of things to take care of to make sure everything is working smoothly. There are lots of applications written by different tools and platforms. Quite often, my work is momentarily paused to attend project meetings – they usually range from 30 minutes to an hour. Time always flies by quickly, and once again, it is time for lunch. When onsite in the WPC building, I like to visit the cafeteria to order my meal. On other days, I also enjoy walking 3 - 4 blocks to choose another place for state employees. Also, the downtown area offers many good restaurants to choose from; For example, our team has a tradition where we pick a different restaurant each week to bond and talk. After lunch, I will work some more. This includes coding, reviewing codes, testing my solutions, fixing some minor issues, finding someone to show it to, and maybe joining some meetings. Especially since the pandemic, we have worked a ton with Microsoft Teams. Lastly, at the end of the workday, I will head home at 5:00 pm to relax and get some time with my family, while looking forward to a new day of work for the following day."

Why did you come to DIR? I came here to be part of a great team! 

What is the culture like at DIR?  I’ve been here about two years, and I’d say it's pretty great, really. 

In your position, what skills should someone have? Cybersecurity is a complex field that requires a wide range of skills. In addition to understanding networking, computers, cloud, servers, AD, social media, dark web, and hardware, cybersecurity professionals also need to be able to write effectively. Writing is important for communicating security risks and solutions to technical and non-technical audiences.

What is your favorite part of your job? Anytime there is a incident.  I love watching my team in action.  They are not only solving complex issues, but diving deep into in-depth solutions. . While this is usually a bad time for any  affected agency, my team shines under pressure.  I couldn't be happier to be a part of a great team. 

What advice do you have for someone new in the industry? Get Joe Poole as your mentor; other than that, READ. Read everything that you can get your hands on about our industry. 

If you wrote a book about your career so far, what would you title it?- Mistakes:  What I learned from  mine.

How do you manage your time? I try to avoid stacking meetings back-to-back! I try to ensure I have enough time to complete my weekly/monthly reports by automating as much of them as possible.  

How do you maintain a work/life balance? Equal parts family/work/karate

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? I'd always thought that time travel would be a great superpower, but I've learned so much from my mistakes; I do not think that I'd be the same person without them.   So, I'll choose the power to fly..

What was your first ever job? Making Pizzas

What is one mistake you made early in your career? As a junior network administrator, I once made a small change that knocked an agency network offline for several hours..   This affected 5000 employees and staff.  I learned that there are no SMALL changes.

Which has been more valuable in your career, your education or your experience? Experience. That feeling of making a mistake and understanding how it effects employees and staff are very different from getting a wrong answer on a test. That kind of learning sticks with you.

What motivates you?  While most of my job is repetitive, I am motivated by the hunt for new things. There is always something new to learn, and I enjoy the challenge of finding it.

Why did you come to DIR?  I was looking for a new opportunity in project management and a former co-worker recommended DIR.  After talking with the Director of the Project Management Office, and learning about the culture, I knew DIR was where I wanted to work.

What is the culture like at DIR? Empowering and collaborative 

In your position, what skills should someone have?  Knowledge of information security practices and program requirements is important as well as strong organization, analytical, project management and communication skills. 

What is your favorite part of your job? I enjoy bringing value to our customers, which range from state agencies to school districts to local governments. Each organization is unique, so this starts with listening to what they need or are experiencing, then helping to identify a solution, and working to get it implemented.

What advice do you have for someone new in the industry? When you’re starting out, ask a lot of questions and be open to feedback.  Also, take advantage of training opportunities, both formal and informal.

If you wrote a book about your career so far, what would you title it?  Public Sector is a Calling. When I graduated college, I worked in the private sector.  After a while, I started questioning what impact I was having.  I wanted to feel good about the work I was doing and its impact to others.  So, I started to look for new opportunities.  That’s when I transitioned to the public sector.  For me, it’s a good day when I feel like I am making a difference, and the public sector provides many opportunities for this.

How do you manage your time? I am very date driven, so I work with my supervisor to prioritize projects and set deadlines.  Then, I review and prioritize my tasks regularly.  I also leave open time each day to address unplanned work.

How do you maintain a work/life balance? This is something I’m always working on, but having a supervisor who models work-life balance and also encourages it with his staff has been very helpful.  

What’s something you do every day without fail? I respond to phone calls and emails from Texas entities about various cybersecurity topics, including statewide cybersecurity awareness training, the Texas Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (TX-ISAO), and resources.

In your opinion, what is a good habit to have? Seeing things through to completion is so important.  If you start something, finish it, and make sure the end product is high quality and meets the customer’s needs.  This applies when working with external and internal customers.

What is one mistake you made early in your career? I didn’t always take advantage of training opportunities.  Sometimes you get caught up in the day-to-day and don’t make time for training.  Training is important both for maintaining your skills and for developing new ones. 

Which has been more valuable in your career, education, or experience? For me, experience has been more valuable.  Education often gets you in the door, but experience helps you persist and find solutions when there are obstacles (and there will always be obstacles).

What motivates you? Seeing the results of our efforts motivates me.  We are helping to improve Texas entities’ cybersecurity posture, so they can continue serving their constituents.

Why did you come to DIR?  The goal of the Data Center Services program was interesting, challenging, and valuable. I hoped to learn a lot and contribute to the program's success.

What is the culture like at DIR?  DIR is a challenging, fast-paced work environment where very talented, intelligent, and committed people work together to help customers and constituents. Team members are recognized for their efforts and have the opportunity to grow continually. 

In your position, what skills should someone have?  The ability to communicate with and facilitate discussions between various groups (technical, project, finance, contracts, security, customers), juggle multiple priorities/tasks, think creatively about solutions/process, and accept that change is constant and good. Being detail-oriented is also helpful.

What is your favorite part of your job?  Working with the DIR team to resolve problems, develop new solutions, and streamline processes to help improve the Shared Technology Services program.  

What advice do you have for someone new in the industry?  Be patient with yourself. It takes a while to learn about the program and DIR. I've worked at DIR for over 12 years and still learn something new daily. 

If you wrote a book about your career so far, what would you title it?  The Winding Road to the Job That's Right for You. As I worked in various fields/positions over the years, I often had project management responsibilities. I always enjoyed the work, but it was only my official title once I took the Shared Technology Services Project Engineering job. Now, I'm in a position I enjoy, and I've been able to perform in a way where others value my knowledge and work efforts.

How do you manage your time?  I'm a list maker. I think about what has to be accomplished today and what can wait until tomorrow. I'm a note taker. I think about what items must be tackled in a meeting and what can wait until the next.

How do you maintain a work/life balance?  When we're working on large projects, that can be difficult. However, I take a little time each day to do something I enjoy and relieve stress. On a regular basis, I do my best to manage my to-do list and take vacations/time off periodically.

What's something you do every day without fail?  During the work week, I like routine.  I do my best to help move the Shared Technology Services program forward. After work, I work out and then grab dinner. When I get home, I chat with my husband, cuddle with my cat, and watch a little tv.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?  Teleportation. All of that time saved from sitting in cars and on planes! I could quickly move from place to place to help those in need. I also love to travel so it would enable me to see the world.

What was your first ever job?  Carry out at HEB.

Which has been more valuable in your career, education, or experience?  My experience.

What motivates you?  I enjoy solving problems, finding better ways to do things, helping people, and learning.

 

Why did you come to DIR?  I came to DIR because I knew it was the agency that drives technology and innovation for all other State agencies. It was an agency that I believed in its mission and goals.

What is the culture like at DIR?  The culture is really one of collaboration and teamwork. Everyone is willing to help at a moment's notice. 

In your position, what skills should someone have?  Clear communication, active listening, and patience. 

What is your favorite part of your job?  The people I get to work with.

What advice do you have for someone new in the industry?  Listen to anyone willing to give you advice. I'm a massive proponent of mentors in the workplace and life.

If you wrote a book about your career so far, what would you title it?  Public Service in Texas for Texas

Why?  I began my career working with the Texas Dept. of Protective and Regulatory Service after college. I worked in their Information Technology department and assisted with installing the first Client Server Infrastructure for the CAPPS information system. I worked for the Protective and Regulatory Service for almost five years. In 1999 I left the State and worked for the City of Round Rock in their Information Technology dept for nearly 17 years. In 2016 I retired from the City, returned to the State, worked for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for three years, and then came to DIR in 2019.

How do you manage your time?  My outlook calendar is the best tool to manage my time.   

How do you maintain a work/life balance?  Work and family are both priorities for me. 

However, you need to be able to separate the two and not let them diminish the importance of each. There's a time for work and a time for family. Working for an agency that values family has made this less of a challenge for me. 

What's something you do every day without fail?  My day begins at 8 AM. I log in to my computer and immediately check my email and work phone for any new issues during the night. This is an indicator of what my day will focus on. As an Enterprise Relationship Manager (ERM), we serve as a point of escalation for our assigned agencies. Most of my day is spent reviewing RITMS, Incidents, Demands, and Projects within the ServiceNow tool. I focus on providing customer support and improving the customer experience for all DIR services.

I currently have three large agencies that are modernizing their infrastructure and business applications using our STS Public Cloud Manager (PCM). This effort requires daily project meetings via TEAMs to review the current status. It is truly a challenging but rewarding experience.

What is one mistake you made early in your career?  The one mistake I made was not taking into account the human factor in technology. We call it Emotional Intelligence now, but then we often force technology on staff without considering how this would impact the end user.

Which has been more valuable in your career, education, or experience?  My education allowed me to get hired, but my experience has been much more valuable in my career.

What motivates you?  Helping others be successful.

Why did you come to DIR?  Because DIR is the best starship in Starfleet. 

What is the culture like at DIR?  Intellectually challenging, yet empowering.  

In your position, what skills should someone have?  The willingness to learn how complex systems work. The freedom to make mistakes but still own up to them. Clear and direct communication. 

What is your favorite part of your job?  Working with a group of clever people and coming up with creative solutions to challenging problems.  

What advice do you have for someone new in the industry?  Seek out, study for, and earn appropriate certifications.  

If you wrote a book about your career so far, what would you title it?  How to Identify and Avoid Common Fallacies in Business and in Life: False Equivalence, Straw Men and Sunk Costs Can Ruin Your Dinner and Your Career.  I have seen projects too big to fail, fail. I have seen simple decisions go bad based on simple failures of reason, including my own. Since I have sometimes contributed to these failures; it would be a shame if they were wasted.

How do you manage your time?  I maintain task lists tied to dated notes. I take action items from meetings and emails and record them there.  

How do you maintain a work/life balance?  Nobody ever said, "I wish I worked more and spent less time with my family" on their deathbed. I work overtime when the workload demands it rather than when it doesn't.  

In your opinion, what is a good habit to have?  Compartmentalizing work stress from everyday life so I can be fully present to my friends and family.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?  The ability to see the near-term future to enhance decision-making and reduce risk.  Flying would be nice, but what to do with my luggage? 

What was your first ever job?  "Landscape Engineer" at a cheap and now long-gone golf course in San Antonio. I mowed it, in the Summer, for $4.15 an hour.   

Which has been more valuable in your career, education, or experience?  Education. I apply daily my certifications in project management, IT service delivery, and contract management.  Experience is important too, but everyone has that just by getting up in the morning.

What motivates you?  Efficient and practical use of public funds to serve the greater good and maintain public trust, in exchange for a paycheck to improve my kids' lives.

Why did you come to DIR? Because I couldn't get here any faster? I had heard great things about DIR as an agency, so when a great opportunity became available in my field I was happy join.

What is the culture like at DIR?  Extremely friendly and professional! DIR carries these traits in spades, it's so nice to encounter so many people with a great disposition and follow it up with being very good at what they do. There is also a desire to improve and be proud of that culture that is driven by the People and Culture group and supported from the top. It's a great place!

In your position, what skills should someone have?  A desire to really figure things out instead of just going by the result. It can be a good or bad result; you will still need to have the patience to unwrap each technical layer of the problem one step at a time. Second is the ability to multitask and prioritize different needs.

What is your favorite part of your job?  Solving a mystery! If a problem pops up, I start tracking it all back until I figure out what code is involved and what went wrong. Then narrow it down to the specific code statement and parameters involved that resulted in the issue... that's the good stuff there!

What advice do you have for someone new in the industry?  Be ok with being uncomfortable; gain comfort by being hungry for every bit of information or understanding you can get. Then do it all over again and a few more times. Think of it like a video game where you are leveling up your character each time you take on and master something new.

If you wrote a book about your career so far, what would you title it?  The Unfinished Toolbox. It's been a long, long road that has needed a lot of tools to be added each step of the way. Every new skill I studied and every job I've had doing something new was a challenge and could sometimes be uncomfortable. But the bright side I tried to always keep in mind was that I was adding one more "tool to the toolbox."

How do you manage your time?  When multiple projects are going on, standard data fixes, and then an unexpected major issue occurs, there is a definite need for time management. Understanding priorities and timelines while providing good communication with collaborators is how to dictate how to allocate my time for each day.

What's something you do every day without fail?  An average day will see some maintenance type of work, often involving the VSR portal or other one-off requests. There will always be a meeting or two, but if multiple projects are underway, there can be quite a few each day. Sometimes there are monthly tasks like when sales are closed.

In your opinion, what is a good habit to have? Creating and maintaining good documentation will save you exponentially more time in the long run than it takes to make it. It also delivers more value to the organization than most people realize.

What is one mistake you made early in your career? I worked at an IT help desk for five years when I first started at the state. During the last year I spent there, I took classes at night toward my Oracle certification, but I have felt that I allowed myself to be complacent for too long before taking action to pursue a better career.

Which has been more valuable in your career, education, or experience? Can I cheat and say both? I wouldn't have had the knowledge to know what to do without the education, but I was only a little less lost until I had some real experience. If I HAVE to pick one, I'll say experience.  

What motivates you? Doing a good job, just wanting to be trusted and reliable in the eyes of my peers.

Careers at DIR

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