Welcome

Intro

Hello, I'm Bryan Zen, a new college graduate from Stony Brook University! In my time at SBU, I studied Information Systems with a specialization in Systems and Network Administration. Alongside my passion for technology, I am actively involved in other areas. In my spare time, I proudly presided over the SBU Skate Club and also ran my own skateboarding company called Duck Bud Skateboards. As a highly expressive individual, I also found myself working on projects in the modeling and acting industry!

Technology and tinkering were always very intuitive for me since a young age, building my first personal computer in the 7th grade. I find enjoyment in creating systems that allow for the continued productivity of my peers and community, paving the path for timely value. Currently, I am working at Achievement First Charter Schools on their IT team, providing equitable technology to the less fortunate in our society. With a proven track record of swiftly troubleshooting and resolving technical issues as well as 4 years of experience in the IT industry, there is no doubt that I constantly strive for efficiency and effectiveness.

As a leader, communicator, and creative problem-solver, I am perpetually seeking new and innovative ways to enhance processes and systems. I am currently actively searching for new opportunities in the technology industry, driven by my vision of becoming a leader in the field.

About

IT Network Technician | Achievement First

My Year working at Achievement First Charter Schools was a truly amazing experience that provided me with invaluable hard skills in the field of technology. Under the guidance of my mentor, Derek, and his son, also named Derek, we were responsible for servicing the extensive network infrastructure supporting over 30 Achievement First charter schools in Brooklyn, NY, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

During this job, we tackled various day-to-day IT issues faced by staff members and dedicated a significant amount of time to troubleshooting and resolving network infrastructure challenges. This included fixing wired connections and configurations in server rooms, installing Cisco VoIP phones, wireless access points (WAPs), and network printers. We also gained hands-on experience in mounting, configuring, and stacking switches in a rack.

One of the highlights of my time was working with a cutting-edge PXE server solution, where we imaged 20 company laptops on a daily basis, ensuring their easy transfer to staff members. Through this experience, not only did I learn the importance of efficiency and utilizing advanced technologies in real-world scenarios, but I also learned my value as a leader within a fast paced working environment.

Throughout the job, Derek served as an exceptional role model for me. Not only is he a leader in the field, but he also exemplifies exceptional fatherhood. I am grateful for the advice and tidbits of knowledge he shared with me, which have further shaped my aspirations and growth in the field of technology.

IT Technician | Campus Residences Information Technology

I am incredibly proud of my time at the Campus Residence Team at Stony Brook University. Our team comprises some of the most accomplished individuals on campus. Because of this, we held each other to very high standards in terms of communication, work ethic, and professionalism. Servicing the technology across the largest and greatest SUNY campus in the state of New York. This included servicing the needs of 3500+ computer systems across campus for over 10,500 undergraduate residents, graduate residents, and campus professional staff members.

A highlight of my tenure was the special use of campus vehicles such as golf carts and vans. This responsibility has been entrusted to us to ensure efficient transportation of technological devices. The mobility granted to us increased our team’s range of effectiveness, allowing us to expand as a team, with the added responsibility of safe transportation. Because of this, the prestige of the job was highly sought after on campus, leading to a rigorous hiring process and a highly capable team of very bright individuals.

Throughout the job, I learned the basis of what it meant to be a technician. On top of this, I also found my unique place within a tech team.

Extern | Broadridge Financial Solutions

My professional externship at Broadridge shows me what future success looks like, and if you can see it, you can be it. Weekly, I met with my mentor Samuel Chehab, a product owner at Broadridge. During these meetings he showed me the ins and out of wheat it ment to be a working professional. Not only did he show me real-world technologies in industry such as AWS cloud, Scrum, and Agile, but he also demonstrated what it was like to work everyday with the responsibilities of a father, husband, and peer. Monthly, Sam would include me in job shadows and one-on-one conversations with professionals at the top of their field. To this day, I still meet with Sam, and through his help, I was able to see that I am worthy of success.

IT Support Technician | NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst

My time at Elmhurst Hospital had a profound impact on my career objectives. It was during my experience there that I realized the significance of my skills in the workplace. As an extremely skilled communicator, I discovered the power of connecting with and supporting individuals in need. While customer service is often overlooked in the tech industry, I recognize its inherent necessity. My greatest strength lies in my ability to remain calm and confident in social interactions, enabling me to effectively bridge the gap between technology and human interaction.

A highlight of my time in Elmhurst would definitely be my visit to an inpatient named Alexander. He was in the hospital for gang violence. After providing technical support to him, I asked if he needed help with anything else. He spoke Spanish, so we had a virtual translator at our side. Alexander confided in me about his suicidal thoughts. Even though I was not trained for the scenario, I stayed with him to ensure his mental and physical well being. Eventually, we got the doctor, social worker, and psychiatrist to come to support him. They later diagnosed him with schizophrenia. A few weeks later, he got the help he needed. He only confided in me during his stay, and I listened to him. This experience changed my conception of what it meant to be human. It also taught me a lot about who I am and the nature of my being. I still think about him from time to time.

Founder | DuckBud Skateboards

My passion for the sport of skateboarding led me to establish Duck Bud Skateboards, a skateboard company meant to bring a community of talented individuals together. As a undergraduate student at Stony Brook University, I am part of a skate crew filled with over 200 students with diverse backgrounds in tech, business, and art. Despite the university's stance against skateboarding, I see an opportunity to bring this community under one roof and provide them with the resources and support they need to grow and succeed. With this vision in mind, I set out to create a skateboarding club on campus. However, with knowledge of historical rejections from the university, I realized that the only way to provide funding for the community was to take matters into my own hands and start my own company. And so, I took a leap of faith and founded Duck Bud Skateboards, betting on my own abilities and the strength of the community to make it a success.

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Varsity Wrestling Team Captain | Seward Park Campus

I grew up training Kung Fu at the Shaolin Temple in Queens, following in the footsteps of my father who was a battle monk. However, when the Temple faced financial constraints and relocated, my access to combat sports was limited. Nevertheless, I was determined to continue pursuing my passion. Against my mother's wishes, I joined my high school wrestling team, the Seward Park Bears, and trained in the art of folkstyle wrestling for four consecutive seasons. Our seasons were intense, with five practices a week, including dual meets and tournaments. It was through these challenges that I truly excelled. In my freshman year, I made the varsity team. In my junior year, I won the Manhattan Borough Championships. I also placed in the top 10 in NYC PSAL division 1 making me an all-city wrestler in two consecutive seasons and was named team captain in my senior year. My coach, Sean Coffin, was like a second father to me and introduced me to books such as Sun Tzu's The Art of War. I often referred to this book to raise the morale of my team and lead them to success.

• Instagram

Senior Patrol Leader | Boy Scouts of America Troop 150

For five years, I was a dedicated Boy Scout serving Troop 150, located in the heart of Chinatown. With 60 scouts, Troop 150 has a rich history, having been founded in 1911. Over the years, I rose through the ranks of the organization, showcasing my natural leadership abilities. I served as assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, and even assistant scoutmaster. My responsibilities included organizing and leading monthly camping trips and weekly meetings, where I honed my skills in servant leadership and the importance of leading by example. My exceptional talents earned me scholarships to prestigious programs within the Boy Scouts, such as the National Youth Leadership Training program, and offers to attend the Order of the Arrow. By the end of my service, I had achieved the rank of Life Scout and accumulated years of invaluable leadership experience.

Info

Location: New York, New York

Email: bryan.zen4@gmail.com

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resume

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