Wellington Netto
Listen to the interview (approx. 43 min.) or download it.
Graduated in 2011 with a major in Songwriting. Principal instrument: bass guitar.
Position: Desktop Support Specialist at FS Investments, an investment firm with over 300 employees, mostly in Philadelphia. Wellington is part of of a small IT department which supports the other employees at the business and makes sure all the technology is running smoothly. In addition to troubleshooting problems that arise across the systems, Wellington sets up new computers for employees. He specializes in Macs, but does a large variety of tasks beyond that.
Overview: Wellington’s father familiarized him with computers before he came to Berklee. At Berklee, he informally helped folks on his dorm floor with computer issues that arose, then did classroom tech support as his work-study job at Berklee for his last two years. Wellington liked Boston, and was determined not to move back home to rural New York, so he needed a job right away. He applied broadly for jobs and got one at a large shoe store on Newbury Street, staying there close to 3 years while working his way up to shipping manager (and, informally, IT support). He heard from a friend that Berklee was hiring for CTMI (faculty support/training) Lab Monitor, and applied. Wellington’s combination of IT skills, direct management experience, and Berklee degree made him a good fit, and he got the job in March, 2014.
However, there was no real way to move up at Berklee, so by late 2015 Wellington was applying to other jobs. He got Desktop (computer) Support Administrator positions at Wellesley College, then Boston University. In the summer of 2018, his fiancee completed law school and got a clerkship in Philadelphia, so Wellington applied for IT jobs in Philadelphia, lining up his current position before they moved.
You can see Wellington’s LinkedIn profile here.
Choice Quotes: “I generally enjoy this line of work, mainly because I like helping people use their computers more effectively in ways that make them happy. It’s gratifying and a good feeling when you can solve a problem and someone is appreciative.”
“You really have to approach this kind of work is in a client-oriented manner, rather than give canned answers. I try to tailor solutions to the person. If I know them I know how they like these things taken care of. Some people want to learn to do things themselves., some want it done right away. ”
“As a Berklee grad, you have way more marketable skills than you give yourself credit for! Think about experience you have, inclinations on what you want to do. I’ts all about spinning what you have to find the job you want. Don’t sell yourself short–really spin all your skills and talents and make then work to get you that job you want.”
Wellington as a Berklee student. “Music education in general helps you be personable–you’re working with people, you’re playing in ensembles, working on group projects. You’re creating something together fairly often. That group-mindedness and focus benefits a whole host of careers. I’ve super-introverted and have a hard time meeting people, but working I learned to switch into an outgoing client-friendly mode. Berklee had a lot to do with that.”
Wellington having fun with friends. He has some advice for new IT people. “Keep moving forward. It may not feel like you have huge enough experience to move on to the next position, but you often can. A skill which took you 2 minutes to learn may be very attractive to employers. On the flip side, find a company you like to work for and a role that you actually like. It’s a combination of coworkers, company culture, and the actual work. Go find the right fit.”
See the full index of successful Berklee alumni.