Name: Andrey Nevinskiy
Title: Systems Engineer
Start date:01/01/2024
- Can you tell us more about your path to UW-Madison and the Geography Department?
I’ve been doing computer related stuff since I was 14. I’ve worked as a tech support, programmer and systems administrator. I lived in New York from 1998 till 2000, getting lucky with the so called Greencard Lottery. I totally fell in love with a city and with the United States. I learned to speak English and had my first US job as a data processing specialist and also helped with systems administration. Following this, I went back to Moscow, then finally came to Madison with my family in August of 2011.
I’ve worked at Chippewa-Falls and then Middleton School Districts, at Madison-Kipp and then at Quartz Health insurance. But I always enjoyed coming to campus and helping University people- my father is math professor at University of Indiana but worked as visiting professor here in Madison for couple years.
Stars aligned and I was able to find a position with GNP IT earlier this year. This department is part of the larger IT community at the College of Letters and Sciences. GNP IT services the Nelson institute of natural Sciences, Geography, and Planning and Landscape Architecture departments.
- What does a day on the job look like for you?
There are no two similar days. One day I can be working on servers, the next setting up a new computer in the lab, and the next catching bats in Science Hall! I enjoy helping people make their IT experience better and more solid.
- Are there any new initiatives or details about your role that you would like to share?
I am not sure if I can share new initiatives yet. I think that my role is very interesting as it covers a broad range of IT problems which sometimes requires nonstandard approaches.
- Can you describe the work that you will be doing and its relation to the Geography discipline?
I think the closest larger project is that will be updating software in the computer labs over winter break, so we stay current on application versions and such. Computers are used everywhere so it will definitely help students and staff with their computer needs so they can work on their Geography projects more efficiently.
- What are some things you like doing in Madison?
Madison is a wonderful city for biking, walking and enjoying nature, and it has a rich cultural life. I enjoy biking around the city, going to concerts at the Hamel Music Center and Overture Hall, visiting friends, and working in the backyard.
6. What fun hobbies or interests do you have?
I’ve been doing computers for the most part of my life- and I do enjoy working on older computers and collecting old electronics. I’ve got couple interesting computers from so called “golden 8 bit era of computers”. I also enjoy airplanes- I even took a couple flying lessons which was a great experience. I work on my cars which reminds me of playing with Mechano like sets in my childhood 😊. I love electronics in general. I play piano just a little bit and enjoy spending time with my family and working around house.
