Jennifer Kusiak is\u00a0using\u00a0her skills as a Certified Project Manager once again this year as lead organizer for WordCamp RI.\u00a0 She shares her thoughts on this year’s planning.<\/p>\n
Q:
\nJennifer, you are back again this year as WordCamp RI’s lead organizer. What draws you back?<\/p>\n
A:
\nI don’t think I could resist the chance to come back this year after learning so much about the process last year. I really wanted the opportunity put all the great constructive feedback we received last year from the community and put it to work.
\n—
\nQ:
\nIn your professional life, when you’re not helping to organize WordCamp RI, what do you do? What role does WordPress play?<\/p>\n
A:
\nLOL, I organize other things! I’m dead serious, if I wasn’t a Professional Project Manager, I’d be a professional organizer or a pony. I’m also working on starting my own blog, and I do some consulting in my spare-time with people looking to get their website up on WordPress.
\n—
\nQ:
\nAny special goals for this year’s WordCamp RI?<\/p>\n
A:
\nMy personal goal for this year’s WCRI is to have equal gender representation across topics and I’ve been actively recruiting speakers to represent a more-diverse skill set, such as female developers, business analysts, and women in leadership.
\n—
\nQ:
\nWordCamp RI is two days of all things WordPress. For someone attending for the first time, what advice do you offer to get the most out of WordCamp?<\/p>\n
A:
\nPersonally, I’m a crazy note-taker…so I’d bring a notebook and a pen I like (weird but I swear it’s a thing). We provide snacks, coffee, and refreshments but I also suggest bringing gum. It will keep your mouth wet because you’ll be doing a lot of chatting with all of the awesome people you will meet…and wear comfortable shoes!
\n—
\nQ:
\nWhat’s this Happiness Bar everyone is talking about? Why would I want to stop by?<\/p>\n
A:
\nI can tell you that when we asked the wonderful Steve Kitchin and Cathy Cilcius at NEIT if we could have space for a Happiness Bar we had a lot of explaining to do! It’s actually a gathering of WordPress professional volunteers that is staffed all day, where anyone can ask questions and get awesome real-world answers. The format became so popular we at the WordPress RI Meetup Group decided to hold “Happiness Bar” style Meetup sessions.
\n—
\nQ:
\nAfter WordCamp RI is over, there is the After-Party. What is that? Why should I attend?<\/p>\n
A:
\nYes! This year marks our 5th annual WordCamp RI. The After-Party is going to be like a Birthday Party, but for WordCamp RI, with mingling and adult beverages!
\n—
\nQ:
\nOnce the actual days of WordCamp RI arrive, what do you personally like to make sure you do?<\/p>\n
A:
\nTake care of myself, hydrate, and get some sleep!
\n—
\nQ:
\nIs there any follow-up that makes sense once WordCamp RI is over?<\/p>\n
A:
\nAbsolutely! Now that you’ve made connections at WordCamp RI, keep the momentum going and visit people you’ve already met at our meetups. Our meetings and other information are posted at meetup.com\/WordPressRI\/.<\/p>\n
Jennifer Kusiak is a Certified Project Manager, PMI-PMP, IT Project Manager at ALEX AND ANI.<\/p>\n
You can reach her at (401) 601-1365 and kusiak.jennifer@gmail.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jennifer Kusiak is\u00a0using\u00a0her skills as a Certified Project Manager once again this year as lead organizer for WordCamp RI.\u00a0 She shares her thoughts on this year’s planning. Q: Jennifer, you are back again this year as WordCamp RI’s lead organizer. … Continue reading Q & A with Jennifer Kusiak<\/span>