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IT Services Staff Spotlight: Elizabeth Hayes
Elizabeth Hayes works as an IT Systems Administrator in the User Services Group in IT Services. Liz is the technical lead in the rollout of the UCC Services Portal in IT Services and has worked with various units across UCC in the adoption of the Services Portal. Her father, Martin Hayes was the IT Director in UCC, back when it was called the Computer Centre. He retired in 2009 just before she started her undergraduate degree in Computer Science in UCC.
Tell us about your career to date?
I actually started on the Student IT Desk during my undergraduate degree back in 2011. After graduation I worked as Google Support Specialist with Voxpro (now Telus International). I was there for 6 years in total, two years as a frontline agent talking calls from all over the world and solving any issues people had with Google Drive, Calendar and Sites. I was then promoted to Subject Matter Expert in the same area. I joined UCC in 2020 as the Staff IT Helpdesk Supervisor before moving over to technical lead for the UCC Services Portal. It was interesting to move careers during the pandemic as one week I was sitting at my desk at home in my old job and the next week sitting at the same desk with whole new different perspective.
Liz, what is a standard day working in UCC like for you?
There is not really a standard day for me as every day would have its own challenges. I would start my day around 9am, check my calendar to see what meetings are setup for the day, then check my to do list to see what tasks I can tackle. With several teams already using UCC Services Portal I would be making constant enhancements to the system based on their feedback. I would make sure I test all changes in our test environment first before moving it over to the live system for everyone to use.
I always make sure to take a short break in the morning and afternoon whether it’s a quick walk or to grab a coffee.
In September we have a few new teams from different departments coming on board so myself and our Project Manager, Lorraine McLoughlin, will be having several meetings with the different teams to make sure they are ready. We will also be doing a lot of work with our consultant company, Ivanti, for the project to make sure we have the correct setup and necessary resources.
Working in IT Services and UCC, what do you enjoy most?
I love the atmosphere on campus and enjoy the many walking routes when I need to take a break. I have met some fantastic people since working here and have a nice small coffee group to stroll down to Bean Town with or Roots in The Hub with. I’ve joined some great clubs such as Staff Tabletop Gaming Club which does in-person gaming every second Friday at lunch time and the Staff Sci Fi and Fantasy Club which does monthly film screenings after work.
Tell us a little about life outside UCC?
I can never say no to a good brunch at the weekend. During the week I would often go to a pub quiz either in the Anglers Rest or Gaia, the closest I’ve come to winning is 3rd place. I’ve been to a lot of gigs in the last two years including Bruce Springsteen, Lionel Richie, Duran Duran, Sting and Blondie - as you can see, I have a particular taste in music. I also must mention my adorable cat at home called Claude who loves his cuddles.
Image credit: Max Bell