My name is Alan Kwan. The bulk of my professional career revolves around software development in the insurance vertical. While I was learning, it was good. It didn’t matter what I was learning, software development, insurance, how to run a development shop, how to handle various business problems, dealing with customers, etc. But when the learning stopped, I asked myself, “What is it that I do that makes it [insert any commentary]?” As I explore that question, it dawned on me that 1) It doesn’t matter as long as I’m learning, and 2) well, it would be nice to do something that has a purpose. I now work for Kamehameha Schools in Hawaii as a Manager of the Application Management team in the IT Division. I can at least satisfied #2: Its all about the kids. As for #1, well, that’s ongoing.
I love things that have buttons, dials, switches, cables, displays, settings, and manuals. I love things that I don’t understand. They gave me opportunities to learn new things. I love discussions and people who love to discuss. It doesn’t matter what it is, technology, education, politics, how to make a better beef jerky, or what those little things growing in my yard are. They gave me opportunities to learn new things. I love arguments and people who love to argue. They force me to think, to thrust and to parry, to wordsmith, and to craft my own lens to the world.
