How happy are YOU when your computer misbehaves? Where would we be without our TSS angels of mercy, responding to our SOS calls at all hours and making things better again? Gabriel Cobian, Information Systems Technician I, is one of those angels and our September Employee of the Month, because of his dedication to his calling on our campus. Technically speaking (J), he is responsible for supporting the Staff and databases in Financial Aid and Fiscal Services, and keeps the computers in EOPS, Counseling, CAD, Environmental Studies, Design and more up and running. You will find him shadowing others in his department, too, as he has what appears to be an insatiable desire to keep learning more and more in as many areas as possible within his field. That allows him to serve as backup in many more areas, which he thinks is pretty exciting. The freedom of his job and variety are what keep him coming back for more, and that’s a good thing for us.
Having worked with his older brothers as they called Tech Support over the years to fix family computers, Gabriel was calling Tech Support groups on his own by age 11 and had built his first computer by age 13. The youngest of 4 sons, he still loves computers and the outdoors, bicycling 20 miles at a time on his cruiser, exercising and hiking whenever the opportunity presents itself. Family is extremely important to him, and his mom has inspired him as a top performer in Shaklee sales for his entire life.
Gabriel began his career at GWC in 2006 as an hourly in Tech Support, while a student at DeVry, and really appreciates the people here. He finished his degree in Electronics and Computer Technology and was hired in 2009 in a full time position, where he uses his knowledge to solve problems related to both hardware and software. Now, only 2 years later, he is being honored as Employee of the Month, in part because of comments such as this,
“Gabriel exemplifies the type of employee who is dedicated to their mission on campus. He is kind, helpful, patient and works towards the betterment of our place at the college. It seems he truly cares about the success of the campus.”
You may not recognize him in the picture because he just cut his hair, but he is the same congenial, warm, helpful tech we’ve always known. (Picture his hair to the bottom of his ears, and that may help.) The future may hold a degree in Business Information Systems from CSULB, which includes network expertise. Whatever it is, we know you will do a great job, Gabriel. Congratulations on being honored – we are honored to have you as a part of our GWC family!
