FEATURE : RUSSELL QUINN
Expectations And Making A Name For Himself In IT Consulting
Russell Quinn , the CEO of Quinn Technology Solutions , had a different perspective on technology during his high school years . As a well-known , athletic individual known for his hyper spirits , he was not inclined toward computers and perceived them as uninteresting . However , as time progressed , Russell ’ s interests changed , and he eventually became a prominent figure in the tech industry .
During his senior year of high school , Russell encountered a scheduling issue when he realized he had completed every course for a specific period except for computer class . In order to avoid being labeled as a “ geeky computer guy ,” he approached the school administrator with a request to have a study hall during that period instead .
The administrator presented a proposition to Russell that involved enrollment in the computer class for a couple of months , with the opportunity to test the waters and evaluate his interest in the subject matter . In the event that Russell did not find the class to his liking , the administrator offered to discuss with him the potential of offering an alternative option . Additionally , the administrator said that “ if you put in a genuine effort and demonstrate a willingness to engage with the material , you may be granted permission to study hall .”
Russell enrolled in a computer class in the late ’ 80s , a period when computers were significantly different from their current state . His coursework focused on programming in the Basic language on Commodore 64 computers , which he described as “ chunky .” Russell further elaborated that programs were saved on cassette tapes , which is quite different from how things are done today .
Despite facing significant challenges , Russell developed a deep appreciation for the subject matter . By completing the material , Russell earned an exceptional grade of 108 %, securing the highest GPA in the class , which caused some irritation among the students who traditionally excelled in all of their courses . However , Russell
viewed the material as a form of entertainment , as he possessed an innate affinity for it and eagerly consumed every aspect of it and even worked on it when he didn ’ t have assignments .
A PASSION TO PURSUE
Russell , a typical 17-year-old teenager who lacked direction , became anxious when he surveyed various professions and found none to his liking . However , his computer class enlightened him that he could transform his passion into a career . Says Russell , “ The possibility of turning my hobby into a profession thrilled me beyond measure .”
From that point on , any time Russell talked to a college , he wasn ’ t asking about their career offerings ; he was asking whether or not they had IT . The whole idea of being a “ nerd ” never crossed his mind again . He thought , “ Well , this is who I am . Let ’ s embrace it and move forward .”
BUILDING A CAREER IN IT
In 1992 , Russell secured his first employment opportunity in a programming company that specialized in developing software for broadcast media . There , he worked in the data center , where he was responsible for swapping tapes , assembling programs on appropriate media , and copying documentation into sizeable binders , along with a few coding tasks that were too menial for the more senior coders . Essentially , he was the individual who took care of the mundane tasks that nobody else was keen on undertaking . However , Russell ’ s dedication and commitment to his duties earned him a programming position at the same company where he was tasked with creating installation programs and other internal utility applications .
During the early days of the technology industry , there existed two distinct job titles : software programmers and hardware engineers . Russell , a software guy , was approached one day by the individual in charge of the hardware team at Jefferson-Pilot with an offer of employment . The individual remarked that
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