Ladies in Expertise: Alissa Castillo

Liquid Net’s Help Technician III within the Managed Apps Help division, Alissa Castillo, on why she loves fixing issues for patrons, what motivates her, and her hopes for the way forward for girls in tech.

Alissa Castillo was born and raised in Apple Valley, California and loved rising up within the Excessive Desert, dwelling near her grandparents. In highschool, she was a shy pupil desirous about computer systems and cherished artwork lessons. When she was 19, Castillo’s household moved to Texas within the Dallas-Fort Value Metroplex. She lived there for 11 years earlier than shifting to North Alabama in 2009, the place she now lives along with her husband and two daughters and enjoys spending time along with her household.

Castillo’s journey in tech started when she began working in internet hosting in 2009 upon shifting to Alabama. “Whereas I had gone to highschool for Graphic Design, there weren’t any jobs of that kind on this space on the time,” she says. “A member of the family instructed me a couple of job opening for technical help at a neighborhood internet hosting firm. I didn’t know something about what goes on behind the scenes with internet hosting, however I’m grateful they took an opportunity on me, because of my earlier customer support expertise.”

Castillo discovered that she cherished the extent of help she may supply prospects, being awarded Tech of the Yr. “That was undoubtedly unforgettable and one in all my favourite reminiscences,” she says. She continued working for a similar firm till they have been acquired by Liquid Net in 2021.

Now at Liquid Net, Castillo works as Help Technician III within the Managed Apps Help division, offering technical help to purchasers. She loves the vitality of working on this planet of tech. “Daily, I see one thing new,” she says. “This retains issues difficult, and it evokes me to need to study extra.”

Rising up, Castillo seemed as much as her mom, who labored on the native phone firm. “On the weekends, she would typically convey me alongside when she needed to cease by the workplace, and I simply cherished that everybody had their very own cubicle. I dreamed of working in a spot like that (which had cubicles). Sadly, I’ve by no means had my very own cubicle, as at my earlier firm we had an open desk work space. And now with working remotely, I’m at dwelling,” she says. “Nevertheless, it definitely has its blessings with getting extra time to see my household. Now I get to see my daughters proper after work as a substitute of spending that point commuting.” Castillo decorates her desk with issues she loves, just like the Minions and Child Yoda, for a contented atmosphere.

Castillo says she feels fortunate to be a quick learner in a subject that genuinely pursuits her. “I’m additionally probably the most technically-inclined particular person in my household as I’m the one who everybody involves after they have a query about something digital, placing collectively furnishings, and many others,” she says. “Being very empathetic naturally, I believe, has additionally helped me with offering good customer support and wanting to ensure our prospects are taken care of. General, I’ve an excellent mixture of qualities which have helped me achieve success as a help technician.”

Supporting prospects is a big motivator for Castillo. “There’s a sure sense of accomplishment after I’m capable of resolve a problem that at first appeared not possible to repair,” she says. “I really like with the ability to use totally different instruments to analysis or after I can study one thing new to assist discover the reply. I’ve additionally discovered a ardour for serving to and coaching others when potential. I like to share what I’ve discovered and assist make issues simpler to grasp.”

Castillo is assured that girls have a vivid future in know-how. “A lot of our every day lives depend upon and make the most of know-how, so much more girls ought to have these forms of jobs excessive on their record of what subject they need to work in in comparison with after I was in highschool,” she says. “I used to be simply telling one in all my daughters the opposite day that if you happen to like video video games a lot, why not develop into a coder and learn to make them?”

For ladies simply beginning in tech or within the business, Castillo advises discovering a selected subject or matter of curiosity, then studying all you may. “Find out about it and have enjoyable! It is best to get pleasure from what you might be doing, and that can come via in your work,” she says.