We've profiled 12 exciting and interesting people in this space over the past year. Now in the hot seat, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Paragon, Craig Jackman.
He's the graying godfather of IT recruiting in Des Moines (a title we bestowed on him), so here is his take on IT careers in Des Moines augmented with 20 tidbits about Craig you'll find either quirky or interesting. Enjoy.
- I like movie previews more than the movies. If I can't get to the theater before previews start I prefer not to go
- With three boys of my own, I love coaching youth sports
- I like to read books -- three at a time
- I am hooked on 'River Monsters' and 'Hillbilly Handfishin'
- I have traveled to Bosnia and Croatia (shortly after the war)
- I often wonder how ancient civilizations can build structures that last thousands of years and we can't build them to last 50?
- I recently learned how to swim (it's harder than it looks)
- I finished my first half Ironman triathlon this year
- I am a huge homebody
- I can fix anything....with duct tape
- Technology makes me crazy
- I can barely use my smartphone (a general lack of commitment)
- I am a social media contrarian
- Some people eat to live, I live to eat
- I have a goal to eat the 'Adam Emeneker' sandwhich from Jethro's BBQ before year end
- My favorite vacation spot is Sanibel Island and I am hooked on "shelling" (it's a 3am event)
- Spiders and snakes really creep me out
- I have always suffered from claustrophobia
- I have always had a very hard head (literally and figuratively)
- I love to travel, camp and fish
Can you give us a preview of your State of the Union address, Mr. President?
The IT community in Des Moines is so much stronger than it has been in all my years living and working in Des Moines. There seems to be a lot of excitement and success stories about start-ups and entreprenuership that are really inspiring. The Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) here in Des Moines does an amazing job building and bringing together an IT community that is bigger than our population would suggest.
Des Moines and the State of Iowa have started to attract more young people, businesses, and leaders that will continue to grow Iowa's presence as a technology player and leader.
The job market cycle in IT today has tightened up faster than expected. There are some skill sets that are extremely difficult to find in the upper midwest.
Has the Internet leveled the playing field for recruiters and human resource professionals?
I do not think that the internet has been a factor that has positively affected our business. Everyone has the same advantage today as we did pre-internet. I didn't even have a computer in 1995. It's a people business and the most successful people in our industry pick up the phone or meet people face to face. It is far more competitive today for IT recruiters than 15 years ago. There were only a handful of IT recruiters then and "IT" was a fairly new acronym.
You get to go back in time and start Paragon, what would you do differently?
I would have ramped up the team of people more quickly. We worked on an "eat what you kill" (no salaries) and that made taking time off very expensive and challenging.
We keep our eye on the headlines. What's your take on the national economic and employment news?
I am not an economist or a politician (thanks goodness), but the labor market in the upper midwest and central Iowa is very strong, particularly in IT. I suspect the talk of a double dip recession has something to do with political posturing and the broad coverage provided by some news organizations (I'm highly suspicious).
25 Things - Craig Jackman