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From beginning his career, working behind-the-scenes on daytime talk shows like The Bethenny Frankel Show and Anderson Cooper to joining Rutgers in an IT position that combines his passions of Media, Film, and Technology, Raymond Clinkscale knows how to multi-task and capitalize on any opportunity that comes his way.
With job responsibilities that require him to switch between the left and right sides of his brain at any given moment, Clinkscale thrives in an environment at Rutgers where every day is different, and he must use his creative and technical skills simultaneously.
Tell me a little about your position at Rutgers.
While I work as a User Support Specialist for the School of Public Health, my daily duties are bit unorthodox compared to others. In addition to providing overall technical support for university-wide systems, I create digital media content for the School of Public Health including the Dean’s Office, Marketing and Communications department, and various research centers to showcase our school, the work we do as well as to recruit prospective students.
How did you get started working in IT?
I began working at Rutgers in 2014 as a part-time work assistant. My role then was considered an IT position where I provided technical help to faculty, staff, and students and supported technology in classroom settings. The position also required audio/visual (AV) and even video recording work sometimes. Once I started experimenting in videography, I decided to capitalize on my prior work and educational expertise and offered to take photos and videos for various projects in addition to the AV work and technical support I was currently involved with. I like to provide excellence in everything my name is attached too.
How has your position evolved into what it is today?
In addition to the IT responsibilities I was initially hired for, I was asked to assist with AV work at public health lectures and seminars. This would include recording campus events or monitoring livestreams. Over time that evolved into doing video interviews and photographing faculty and staff, as well as creating more media content for the School of Public Health. And this is all while still supporting faculty, staff, and students with technology at Rutgers. How I look at it is that every day is different, but I need to bring my best self to every task I am faced with, head on. I can get an email in the morning with a request to prepare a photo shoot and then suddenly, a printer stopped working and I switch gears to provide instructions on how to fix it. All in the matter of moments.
I hear you also do some staff spotlight work yourself.
Yes, I create media content for staff spotlights within different areas of the School of Public Health including the Center for Public Health Workforce Development, the NJ Gun Violence Research Center, as well as the various research groups we house. I take photos, videos, as well as edit them, and even handle web creation for the staff spotlights.
What is your favorite part about working at Rutgers?
My ability to really make a major impact on people in various ways solely through interaction. I bring
my passions and my personality to this position. Sometimes you cannot do that in a work environment, but I am glad I can here at Rutgers. I take it as an honor to provide myself as a service to community of Rutgers, whether it be answering a technical question or making an individual feel more comfortable in front of the camera for a picture. At the end of the day, I just want to represent myself in the best way and make things better for the Rutgers community.
Aside from photography and videography, what do you like to do outside of the office?
I enjoy going to the beach, the gym, serving at church, seeing art exhibits as well as reading books.
What’s your favorite genre of books to read?
I like books that are motivational and inspiring as well as coming of age stories. I also enjoy stories where the character is on a journey to find themselves. One of my favorite books is “The Alchemist.”
Based on your professional career so far, what is some work advice you’d like to share with others?
Find a way to be a solution to the problem in whatever job you have. And do not shrink back or be afraid to bring your full self to your position. In my experience, giving your full self will be noticed by others and open new doors.
Tags: Health Sciences IT, IT community