The comings and goings of staff are a part of every dynamic organization; therefore, it can be challenging to get to know our coworkers better as people. We have to be mindful that our company culture thrives on our exceptional people and their outstanding technical skills. As such, we are finding that our periodic interviews with associates allow us to acknowledge and celebrate the beautiful life stories, extraordinary professional accomplishments, and even the little quirks that make us uniquely beautiful human beings.
We hope you find each Edafio associate story as inspiring as we do in gathering and sharing them.
Today, we are thrilled to recognize Cody Harrod as one of our March Associate Spotlights. He is a Sr. Systems Engineer with an outgoing and positive attitude and a knack for creative ideas and a willingness to help people. Now let’s get better acquainted with him!
How long have you worked at Edafio, and what does your job entail?
I have been employed at Edafio for almost five years. As part of my job, I provide consulting services to clients and their internal IT departments to help them achieve their daily operational goals. This includes assisting them in identifying and implementing appropriate projects and solutions based on their specific needs and objectives. Additionally, I collaborate with clients to develop technical roadmaps for their IT departments, facilitate budgetary planning, coordinate with vendors, and offer support for any IT-related matters they require.
Also, most recently, I have been working with our Operations center to assist in defining our Edafio best practices and processes when it comes to supporting our clients. We aim to ensure that our customers are where they need to be and follow Edafio’s best practices and standards in their IT environments.
What do you like most about your job?
The camaraderie and company culture at Edafio are the most enjoyable aspects of my job. Working alongside individuals whom I have known and collaborated with for several years, including some from previous jobs, is truly rewarding. The wealth of talented people at Edafio and the positive work environment we have cultivated make my work experience much more enjoyable.????
What advice would you provide to someone interested in your field, i.e., IT?
For those interested in IT, I recommend cultivating a passion for technology and all things IT. Having an interest in this field will keep you engaged and excited about the work. Additionally, having a positive attitude and a willingness to help people is critical since IT professionals often face challenging problems from clients and end-users. If you find creative problem-solving and assisting others rewarding, this field may be a good fit for you.
The best way to learn about IT is to gain hands-on experience. Starting in a role within an IT department or company is an excellent way to learn while doing. Personally, I began working in an IT department at my university when I was 19, working part-time for 20 hours a week. I was passionate about computers and technology and even ran a small computer repair business in high school. Despite initially being a pre-med student in college, I took a year off to work in IT full-time. I ultimately switched my major to Management Information Systems, completing the degree online while working full-time. My experience taught me that hands-on experience and learning from more experienced IT professionals is the best way to develop your skills in this field. Starting somewhere you are interested in is always a great way to begin your journey in IT.
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
If I were not in my current career, I would likely pursue a path as an entrepreneur in the food industry, perhaps running a restaurant, food truck, or catering business. I have always had a passion for cooking and even considered attending culinary school at one point. Growing up in a family of self-motivated entrepreneurs, including farmers who worked for themselves, instilled in me the values of ownership and hard work. These lessons have been instrumental in shaping my career and life, and they would be invaluable in pursuing a career in the food industry.
Cody Harrod delivers a very high-level service to his clients. He is a well-trusted advisor and is always among the first to volunteer to help his teammates. He is also a dedicated husband to Laura and father to Sterling. Thanks for everything you do, Cody!
Trevor Bates, Systems Team Leader
What is something unique about you (a fun fact) that few people know?
A fun fact that few people know about me is that I spent seven years living in Eastern Europe as a child, specifically in Romania, and am fluent in reading, writing, and speaking Romanian. My family moved there when I was 11 to work in aid and missions. My father, from a farming background, worked with local farmers to develop more efficient and modern farming practices while collaborating with community churches. During our time there, my younger brother and I attended school and were taught Romanian by a high school professor who spoke Romanian and English. As all of our friends were Romanian and spoke little English, we quickly became proficient in the language. Moving back to the United States at 18 was a reverse culture shock for us.
Everyone at Edafio has a story about why they joined the team. What’s yours?
My story began when I worked at another MSP, but I wanted more growth opportunities. One day, my friend Ryan Brown, who I previously worked with at a university, started working for Edafio and recommended that I apply. After a successful interview with Paul Peterson, Greg Phillips, and Kendall Harris, I joined the team and have been here for nearly five years. I am grateful for the experience and excited to see what the future holds for us at Edafio.
Edafio is always looking for exceptional candidates to join our team. For an opportunity to work with folks like Cody, visit our careers page to learn more.
