David Long, a remote client technology technician (RCTT) for MHCC, has been working in this position since Feb. 1.
A Mt. Hood graduate, he works at the college’s Information Technology (IT) “service desk” – actually, still working from home, just like most of the Saints community the past 13 months – picking up the phone for support and when computers are acting up, as well as routing questions or suggested fixes to others around the college.
Before coming to MHCC, Long worked at the Portland Airport HQ Facility and worked on IT needs, terminals, and paging systems. He said there are many similarities and differences between the two jobs.
The COVID pandemic has impacted Long’s position in that he uses remote tools each day, working from home; this has posed some challenges but also emphasized the impact of IT.
One of his favorite things about the college is the expansion and growth of IT infrastructure and he said he appreciates “the amount of opportunity that I see in growing IT infrastructure.”
A favorite part of his job is taking IT systems and putting them to good use, as well as growing and developing his and others’ careers.
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know people on IT teams,” he said. The Mt. Hood team encourages learning and personal growth, as well as improving systems, he noted. His personal goals include growing in the position and possibly gaining other certifications and training. He would also like to continue driving success in future students.
“I see the value in our region,” he said.
Long was born in Portland and raised in Gresham, where he attended Gresham High School and earned his Associate of Science in Computer Science (ASOT-CS transfer degree) at MHCC. After that, he earned his bachelor’s degree in science through Hope International University.
While he has a family, including five children, his hobbies include playing music and working in nonprofit community organizations; he especially enjoys the drums, singing and playing piano. He lists classical music (and tiramisu for dessert) among his favorites.
A detail-oriented person, Long said he likes fixing things, such as cars and computers.
“It’s fun to create,” he said.
