The West Virginia Coding Club recently had Neil Chakrabarty, Chief Technology Officer, State of West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, as its guest speaker.
Neil shared he started Coding in 3rd grade. He used a deck PDP-8 with Teletype, paper tape. (Note: Photo Insert) Neil has used a plethora of different computers and related technology over the years.
After High School, he looked for jobs in Computer Science. He started a business (Consulting) in Huntington, WV. Neil wrote a billing system for a law firm improving their collections.
From there he did projects for an Oil Company, Steel Company, Bank and Health Care (Mental Health) - various programs for their needs.
Neil had an opportunity to write a grading system for his Dad, who taught at the University. Neil realized he was very good at Coding, but not as much as a businessperson.
Neil decided to join the military and was there for four years, then went on to West Virginia University. Neil then had job opportunities and then decided to go to West Virginia for the balance of pay and cost of living. He worked for West Virginia State College (now West Virginia State University). Then he moved on to the Department of Environmental Air Quality for the State of West Virginia.
Neil continued to consult. Neil shared about an opportunity in attempting for great success. Neil had a plan. . .
Medical Care billing and payment costs. Expense of medicines. Two secrets -
Just in time production (industrial - pharmacy) Inventory Management System
Predictions (Statistics)
He and others worked to lower costs, but faced substantial opposition. He provided the students insights on how they could use these techniques to become successful and potentially wealthy.
From there, Neil worked with the Department of Environmental Protection (West Virginia) to help them to work with software that was being developed for DEP. His job started in determining what was missing and work with the vendor and DEP to help fill in the gaps and bring items to completion. It took leadership to move forward and develop applications and systems internally at DEP. Only a handful of Departments of Environmental Protection around the county have their own dedicated Information Technology group.
Neil helped develop communication tools and processes to benefit everyone., including a Bug Tracking System (BugZilla), Monthly Reporting System, to help to ensure all aspects are moving forward with needed applications and databases.
Neil discussed how he interviews and hires developers. One aspect is a test on a book they are provided - something they don’t know about to see what they can absorb and then apply.
Neil shared with the students about Artificial Intelligence, Predictive Analysis and Predicting a Trend. Neil shared a video with the potential future of Artificial Intelligence.
Rules Neil follows (advice):
Be technical / seek and understand technology
Be authentic about what you know and don’t know
Don’t assume what others need or what they know
When you divide money don’t round, be exact; pennies are not divisible
Take good care of yourself
Take a step back and look at the big picture. Make sure you’re going where you want to go
Seek to be with people who you want to be like.
"Neil provided great insights and advice for the West Virginia Coding Club students. We appreciate the positive impact that his coding skills, experience and leadership have in West Virginia!", commented Dan McElroy, President of the West Virginia Coding Club.
Keep Coding!