Due to COVID-19 precautions, Coworking will be held over Zoom 1 - 2 p.m. every Wednesday. You will find the Zoom link in the address field of each event on the IT calendar. The link is also shared on Slack every week.
Think of tech-people coworking as an inclusive study hall for technology professionals at the University of Minnesota. Held every Wednesday from 1 - 4 p.m., on a rotating location schedule between East Bank (410 Wulling Hall), St. Paul (Smart Commons, MaGrath Library), and West Bank (Research Collaboration Studio, Wison Library), it’s a space where you can collaborate with peers or work independently.
Why attend coworking?
A change of scenery can boost your productivity and get you past a creative block or help someone else brainstorm. Coworking can broaden your network and offer relief from feeling isolated in your regular workspace. In addition, you will be amongst peers, you never know when a conversation will lead to a solution or a new way of working.
You are welcome here!
Yes, it is called tech-people coworking. Keep in mind that work typically classified as creative at the U is highly technical, and work that is classified as technical is very creative. Don’t let the name hold you back, the only requirement is that you would like to attend.
How do I attend?
Attendance can be achieved in four simple steps.
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Arrive anytime between the hours of 1 - 4 p.m.
Or join the Zoom meeting anytime between the hours of 1 - 2 p.m. -
Say hello to other attendees, a simple head-nod works if you prefer.
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Start working either alone or collaborate with peers if you like.
The host can make breakout rooms in Zoom as needed. -
You can hang out for as little or as long as you like.
What if people are talking about things I don’t know?
That’s actually a great opportunity to learn more about another area of the University. Treat it like visiting another country, the best way to pick up another language is to hear it spoken. Remember this is an inclusive group of your peers, they will be honored that you are interested in their work.
What if I prefer not to talk?
This is a safe space for introverts. You can sit as close or as far away from others as you like and there is no pressure to join any conversation.
Coworking Hosts
A cross-functional team of University professionals that have self-formed to bring continuous improvement to tech-people coworking. How Agile is that? If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to let us know. We are all about making the product better.
Jeff Abuzzahab
Jeff has one foot in IT, the other in communications and has been with the University for over two decades. Donning the title IT Manager for half that time, Jeff is a great resource for discussing work policies, process, and pitching your project to the “higher ups.” He also has a background in design and can help review wireframes, layouts, and other visual concepts.
Susan Andre
Susan is a front end developer/user experience designer with a marketing and communications background. Her design solutions are based on research and strategy and supported by analytics. She can crunch data, organize information, interpret human behavior while exploring different approaches to help people understand and connect user needs to institutional goals.
Andy Seroff
Andy is a relatively new University employee, joining the College of Education and Human Development’s web app team in 2018. Before that, he worked with tech startups in the San Francisco Bay Area, none of which became anything you’d recognize. As someone who started off building much of his tech skillset through the generous mentorship of his coworkers, he understands the awesome and transformative power of collaboration and peer programming.
Tony Thomas
His people hewed the earth, steeled by need, bearing winters and summers with wide grins. Born lean and gaunt, his gnarled hands pummeled ancient skins, stroked amplified metal and wood, coaxing rhythm and madness, coagulate rage and reminiscence. To his station, he rides not a brindled ungulate but a shining iron conveyance, geared with gnashing teeth. O'er snow and tarmac, he rides, bearded with ice and sweat to his calling. He plies his binary trade, coded sequence full of trim import and unknowable complexity. Until the chain gets caught in the spokes.
Dave Naughton
Needs no introduction.