CMU student finds computer work at IT lab doesn’t get tedious

Shaun Leininger is also known as “Shaun 2.0” to the workers in the Woldt IT lab.

Technical Services uses an instant messenger client to keep in contact with one another. When Leininger was setting up his account, he realized that there was another Shaun that was registered.

“To differentiate it, I logged on as Shaun 2.0,” Leininger, a Midland senior and technical manager of Woldt Computer Lab, said. “Since then, it’s been a running joke that I’m an upgraded version.”

As a technician of Technical Services, Leininger has worked on about 500 orders since his employment in the summer of 2007.

These work orders for technicians consist of fixing computers, printers, cell phones, software updates and networking.

“The first day I came into work, my first job was to set up my workstation — from scratch,” Leininger said.

This was Leininger’s first time finding someone who spelled their name the same way he had.

“When you upgrade software on your computer, you normally jump up a level so, naturally, our new Shaun went from 1.0 to 2.0,” Long said.

Working with OIT

Fixing computers does not get boring for workers in the lab, Leininger said.

“Some of the more interesting ones I’ve seen around the office have been repairing a laptop that was urinated on at a late-night party and fixing up another laptop that was used to club someone in the head. Both didn’t start up anymore,” Leininger said.

Before Leininger was hired at Technical Services, he worked a similar job in Midland.

“I sent the managers of the department a direct e-mail, set up an interview and got hired on the spot after acing ‘the box,’” Leininger said.

“The box” is a cardboard box filled with numerous different computer parts for identification as a test of basic computer knowledge, he said.

“I built my first desktop from scratch at 12,” Leininger said.

Leininger’s father was a computer hobbyist, and him and his brother would constantly experiment with their computers.

“Shaun 2.0 is always around the office and really seems to enjoy his daily tasks,” said Mark Long, assistant manager of Technical Services.

A great opportunity

Lake senior Justin Ellenwood has been the manager of the Woldt computer lab for two years and an employee for six.

He mainly fixes computers and printers within the lab. Ellenwood also manages a group of technicians.

“I always take some time out to talk to the employees to improve the relationships,” he said.

The printers get really dirty from heavy use and that causes them to streak or jam a lot, Ellenwood said.

At that point, he usually fixes the printer by finding parts.

Ellenwood also does all the software updates, troubleshoots hardware, maintains data bases, and keep track of servers in the lab.

“It’s a great opportunity to work with OIT,” Ellenwood said.