Joe Becker
“Find what you are great at and leverage that.” “Put yourself in a class or an internship that is outside of your comfort zone.” “Embrace the grind.” “Don’t get discouraged.”
This advice from Joe Becker ’14, a graduate of the computer information systems program at SUNY Brockport, is what he believes helps current students reap long-term rewards.
Following that advice paid off for Becker. An internship he landed at Xerox the summer before his senior year evolved into a work-study experience during the semester. By graduation, he had an offer to work for Xerox full time as a service delivery analyst.
“I was tasked with ensuring applications and databases were up and running for business. This included incident management, problem analysis, project coordination, and managing third-party vendors,” Becker explained.
Recently, after six years at Xerox, Becker pursued an opportunity for continued growth at the Rochester, NY, location of Superior Plus Propane. The company provides a variety of fuels and energy-related services and equipment to homes and businesses. As a business systems analyst for the mobile technology used to deliver fuel products, he ensures the hardware and software is operating properly in order for drivers to successfully deliver products.
Becker’s role involves programming enterprise resource planning software on new devices, troubleshooting device issues, and training drivers to utilize the mobile technology. He works to identify areas of improvement and increase efficiency and accuracy in company processes.
“It is a bit more hands-on troubleshooting than my prior position, which I tend to enjoy,” said Becker. “It is also a smaller company than Xerox, so it’s been great working in a different company atmosphere and culture.”
Becker advocates for exploring different areas of IT and finding one’s niche, acknowledging that certain industries may have a job waiting for someone who least expects it. He found that taking the path toward a computer information systems degree at the College exposed him to a range of facets of the IT industry through diversified courses.
“My experience at Brockport was engaging, fun, and challenging,” said Becker, who also worked for Harrison Dining Hall, the Office of Conferences and Events, and the IT Service Desk.
Looking toward his future, Becker is hopeful for what Superior Plus Propane has in store for him as he begins a family with his Brockport sweetheart, Ariel, in Rochester, NY.
Posted: August 24, 2022