Employee Highlight: Harold’s dedication to lifelong learning
Carolina Advanced Digital, Inc.’s new Pro Services Manager is Harold Underwood. Originally from Richmond, VA, Harold comes to us with over thirty years of expertise in the IT business and brings a range of experiences such as repairing mainframe computers to managing staff for an internet service provider. As Pro Services Manager, Harold will oversee and manage all customer projects that range from consulting clients for network infrastructure projects to the implementation of turnkey solutions.
One of the things that struck us about Harold was his strong desire to continue his own learning and his commitment to sharing his knowledge through education. When we heard Harold was teaching college-level information systems courses at the local ITT Technical Institute, we were curious to learn more!
About a year ago, Harold was approached with a teaching opportunity at ITT Technical Institute’s Cary campus. “Someone thought I was good at explaining complicated concepts in simple terms,” Harold noted when asked why he was chosen to be considered.
Becoming an instructor is no easy feat. The college requires potential instructors to undergo a battery of tests to evaluate their application of cognitive and emotional skills needed to shape minds. A presentation to the IT chair at the college is also required; Harold’s topics of IPTV multicasting technologies sealed the deal. Currently, twice a week Harold teaches classes on networking and information security technologies to eager students in the Associate of Applied Science Network Administration program at the Cary, NC campus.
In the past year, Mr. Underwood has taught five different disciplines, all focused on the growing need for reliable, private and secure infrastructure connections.
When asked what he enjoys most about teaching, Harold commented that he loves to interact with the students. “It keeps me young,” he said. The classes are four hours long, and he teaches them on his personal time, including Saturdays. Harold said the time commitment is a small price to help students. “They need these skills,” Harold noted, “and I’m happy to share my knowledge and experience to help whenever I can.” ITT fills a great gap for many because it can accommodate a broader student profile than traditional universities. Recent high school graduates that don’t fit the university mold can find a path to success through programs at ITT, and through instructors like Mr. Underwood.
Harold’s a hard worker, but no stranger to fun! In his free time, Harold enjoys photography, spending time with friends and family, cheering for the Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks. A few interesting facts about Harold are that he lived behind the Berlin Wall as a child; he’s sailed through the Panama Canal; he met his wife in Washington, DC; and he lived in Colorado while working towards his Masters in Systems Management. After living seventeen years in Cary, we’re happy he’s landed at Carolina Advanced Digital.
When we asked Harold what his favorite part about working at Carolina Advanced Digital he said, “Everyone works very hard to do their job but occasionally they take a break to have some fun.”
