The teachers all knew that Paul Yattaw was the go-to guy for technology related questions. Yattaw was ahead of his time using an interactive white board in his elementary school classroom, so when a projector went down elsewhere in the school (for example), Yattaw got a visit from a panicked teacher. And what if Yattaw was busy? The panicked teachers would look for his 10-year-old son, Mason Yattaw '23.
Sitting in his dad's 4th grade classroom, Mason developed a passion and skill for tech, as well as teaching, from his dad. Mason enrolled at Siena as a history major with a longterm plan to teach history in high school. However, beginning his junior year, Mason took a job on campus with ITS and that led him to pursue, professionally, his other shared interest with his dad.
Mason graduated in May and was almost immediately offered a job as a user support specialist in Siena's ITS department. He spent two years in ITS as a student worker, and when a position opened up, unlike most of his classmates, he didn't have to leave when he graduated.
"I've met a lot of people and made several friends through the ITS position. It's a great community. Plus, I love the Siena campus. It just feels like home here."
Mason earned his bachelor's in history this spring, and he's also completing (with just the capstone to go in the fall) a student-designed interdisciplinary major which he's calling Computer Information Systems. He also finished his minor in educational studies, which will keep doors open in education and IT. On the surface, they may seem like completely different career paths. Mason doesn't see it that way.
"I originally wanted to be a teacher like my dad because I wanted to help people learn. Someday I may decide to teach in a classroom, but I really like this job because it ties in my passion for teaching and technology. I get to educate people on how to use the tech and that allows them to be more effective teachers and learners. A big part of my job is meeting people on campus and delivering equipment. I take calls on the help desk as well, and I respond to trouble tickets, but I really enjoy delivering new equipment. It's fun to drive around in the golf cart (above) and see people and help them with their tech."
"When compared to other candidates, Mason had a different attitude about assisting Siena community members with their IT needs. You could tell that Siena's Franciscan values had been weaved throughout Mason's education and that he was about providing great service. This made the decision to hire Mason easy."
Jim Garbaini '10, director of user services