Tim's experiences as a TLP

Tim in his cubicle

It is great to have a fellow TLP sit right next to you. Tim O'Neil and I have conversations over the cubicle walls and have some good laughs. Here is what Tim has to say:

Tim, tell me a little about your background - educational and professional

Education: Bachelor and Master of Music – Violin Performance and Music Composition; Master of Science – Information Systems. All degrees were completed at the University of Cincinnati

Professional: 1 year as a hardware technician/desktop support/web developer, 2 years as a “1-man IT Department” in a small company (functioning primarily as a System/LAN Administrator and Web Developer), 5 years teaching/mentoring music students of all ages

Like a few other TLPs, you worked for Citigroup as an intern for 6 months. Do you find any difference(s) between being an intern and a full-time employee in terms of roles and things you learn/have learnt?

The roles are completely different, although the scope of work within the internship was certainly of rotation-caliber. The internship helped most by allowing me to start building my network and becoming familiar with the corporate and site-specific environments at Citi (as well as the NAIT org structure). Now, in my current role, I can focus almost solely on working up my areas for opportunity and filling my skill/experience gaps.

You are working in a Governance role for Citi Infrastructure. How do you find it so far? Do you feel you have been given enough responsibilities?

I enjoy having a higher-level view of the entire NAIT Infrastructure organization from a service-oriented perspective. The biggest challenge is being able to work primarily at the tactical level and knowing when to dive into the operational level to address issues. It is also an interesting dynamic to solicit Manager- and Director-level folks on deliverables for strategic initiatives rather than interfacing with individual contributors on a project. I feel my level of responsibility/ownership/accountability is extremely high – for example, there have been occasions where I have received a call directly from our EVP/CIO.

Tell us about your recruiting experience for the TLP program at the University of Cincinnati?

I – along with several other Blue Ash-based TLPs – was involved with nearly every phase of the process (except actual interviewing). Being that we are “subject matter experts currently living the TLP experience,” our feedback was constantly solicited and we were considered valuable members to the team. Our Blue Ash site leaders (who served as the University Captains) are extremely knowledgeable, personable, and engaging. I believe that our great site culture serves as a testament to their outstanding qualities, and that they function as excellent representatives towards the TLP recruiting efforts.

Your thoughts on the TLP program and any advice or suggestions for the incoming/potential TLPs?

The TLP program is young and there is a lot of genuine enthusiasm both from within the group and from the surrounding NAIT organization. Our class is in a unique position as to be able to heavily influence the program’s direction and success through our suggestions and actions. My advice to incoming TLPs is this: first, be open to change and growth; second, remember to keep your head up and understand where your role and projects fit into the bigger picture; and third, realize that personal development and achievement is a two-way street – success benefits both yourself and the program as a whole.

Thanks a lot Tim!