SHPE - Spring08 - (Page 26)

Computing Behind the Screens Jocelyn Colon E ven as a kid, Jocelyn Colon was fascinated by computers. Beyond what computers could do, she wondered: How was it possible to make something happen by a simple click of a button? “What happened behind the scenes always interested me and I wanted to know more about it,” she said. That child-like curiosity coupled with her proficiency in math and science led to a computer engineering career with Otis, a division of United Technologies Corporation. A senior software engineer, Colon works behind the scenes designing solutions for the company’s engineering centers across the globe. More specifically, she designs tools and develops documentation to maintain the company’s software process, software code and change requests. As part of the software process team, she updates/improves the worldwide software standard processes and documentation. She also participates in worldwide Software Engineering Process Group (SEPG) meetings as well as creates surveys and analyzes their results to improve Otis processes and the support of software release processes. When it comes time to upgrade software change and configuration management tools, she assumes the role of administrator: designing a quality process for installation, settings and testing; authoring documentation; creating scripts; generating training strategies; organizing an agenda for a successful upgrade; and, finally, providing user support. One of the change control tools that Otis uses, “Serena Tracker” recently was replaced by “Serena TeamTrack.” Colon designed the process for test migrations in preparation for a complete migration late last year. “I had to learn a new script language and design scripts which would bring more functionality to what we currently had with the out-of-the-box tool,” she said. The production migration presented no major issues or interruption for users and earned her two Otis recognition awards. Colon’s design skills were further challenged when she was tasked with bringing Matlab functionality into an external Visual C++ application. “I had to learn about Matlab functionality and DLL exporting feature before I could start the new application development,” Colon said. She began the activity by first confirming that this could be done without violating Otis’ licensing agreement with MathWorks, then proceeded with an in-depth analysis of the internal structure of the function to be exported. Colon adhered to a good process as she generated a DLL in Matlab, transferred it into C++, wrote the code and designed the graphic user interface (GUI). “Design involves creating something, but it also involves following a standard process and creating documentation related to using the tool and how the tool works,” she continued. “Now people in other Otis engineering centers around the world can access these MatLab functions without having to install Matlab on their computers.” Variety is what attracts Colon to design. “I like the fact that I can start from scratch, learn something new and have the product grow from zero to a final product,” she said. “At the end, seeing that it worked and that all your effort was worthy is the best satisfaction.” Consejos Upon completing her Bachelor of Science in computer engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez campus, Jocelyn Colon accepted a job in Connecticut. Her transition into the work force meant not only adjusting to life far from family and becoming more comfortable with the English language, but also adapting to a new workplace environment. “Like most college graduates beginning a new career, I had anxiety about my performance at work, thinking that I needed to know everything required to do my job,” Colon said. Once she refocused her energy into completing tasks, her professional confidence grew. “I have learned through my experience that you don’t need to know everything in advance, but you need to have confidence in yourself to find solutions to problems as they arise. Work, just as life, is a continual learning and growth experience.” Now an eight-year veteran, Colon advises, “Adapting to work can be difficult, but if you have the courage to believe in yourself, to think positively and focus on the results, you’ll succeed.” 26 SHPE R Spring 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SHPE - Spring08

SHPE - Spring08 Contents President’s Letter Browser Letters to the Editor Calendar of Events The Magic of Thinking BIG Five Steps to Easier Fundraising Designing Women ¡Viva Verde! The Education and Training of Ramon Flores Breakthroughs in Mobile Military Communications The Retention Doctor Success at School Begins at Home STAR Nominations Do Good Things Come to Those Who Wait? Programs & Services Regional Roundup Advertisers Index

SHPE - Spring08

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.