Chris Hinkle on How Working in Silicon Valley is Different Than Working in New York

In Chapter 3 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "How Has Working in Silicon Valley Reshaped What You Think is Possible in Your Career?" Relocating from New York City to Silicon Valley, Hinkle cuts past the "get rich quick" entrepreneur scene and finds a passionate generation of innovators working to make the world a better place. This contrasts with the more media industry-driven tech scene he experienced in New York City. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

Chris Hinkle on Ways to Reduce Stress and Perform Under Pressure

In Chapter 8 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "What Does It Mean to Perform Under Pressure in the Work That You Do?" Hinkle shares steps engineers and project managers can take to reduce stress when working under deadline pressure. Specifically, he notes how it can be helpful to be less focused on the project deadline and more focused on doing your best work. He finds imposing time pressures can compound small problems and make developers and engineers feel helpless. He also warns against doing all-nighter work as it may cause more harm than good with regard to work quality. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

Chris Hinkle on Learning Project Finance for Product Development

In Chapter 9 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "What Job Skills Are You Working on Right Now to Become Better at Your Job?" After years honing his product design and computer programming skills, Hinkle focuses on learning more about how project financing impacts both startup and corporate product development. Understanding how capital is allocated and budgeted gives Hinkle a better sense of what is required to make a business venture or project initiative worthwhile. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

Chris Hinkle on Finding Organic Ways to Lead and Motivate Teams

In Chapter 10 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "How Are You Learning to Better Manage and Motivate Teams?" Hinkle shares that while he does from time to time need to instill motivation and be a leader, he finds he is more comfortable crafting work collaboratively with teams and less interested managing teams. By creating great work together with his teams, Hinkle finds the career advice and motivational aspects occur naturally in the process. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

Jon Kolko on How to Support Your Spouse in His or Her Career

In Chapter 2 of his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and designer Jon Kolko answers "What Approaches Have You Found Most Useful in Supporting Your Spouse's Career?" Kolko finds he can help his wife by asking questions and carefully listening to her answer. As a design professional, he looks for problem solving approaches he can apply to help her in areas of her career such as organizational dynamics, product launches, and marketing strategies. Jon Kolko is VP of Design at MyEdu and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (AC4D). He has authored three books on design and previously has worked in design roles at Austin, Texas venture accelerator Thinktiv and global innovation firm frog design. He was a professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and earned his Masters in Human Computer Interaction (MHI) and BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Jon Kolko on How to Use Buckets to Manage a Busy Schedule

In Chapter 6 of 16 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and designer Jon Kolko answers "What Do You Find Are the Keys to Managing a Busy Schedule and Getting Things Done?" Kolko shares how he uses bucketing to break down his commitments and work through tasks. He shares how he has learned how much capacity he has to take on projects and why he needs to say no to thing above and beyond five things to do. Jon Kolko is VP of Design at MyEdu and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (AC4D). He has authored three books on design and previously has worked in design roles at Austin, Texas venture accelerator Thinktiv and global innovation firm frog design. He was a professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and earned his Masters in Human Computer Interaction (MHI) and BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Jon Kolko on Finding Purpose Working at an Edtech Startup

In Chapter 7 of 16 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and designer Jon Kolko answers "Why Did You Decide to Take a Position Working at an Online Jobs Platform Helping to Employ Students?" Kolko shares why he decided to join a venture capital-backed career services startup, MyEdu. Kolko finds purpose joining the education technology or edtech startup team to help create a more scalable and relevant way for college students to market themselves and find jobs after graduation. In the process, Kolko finds a boss who challenges him to learn new skills and develop as a business manager. Jon Kolko is VP of Design at MyEdu and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (AC4D). He has authored three books on design and previously has worked in design roles at Austin, Texas venture accelerator Thinktiv and global innovation firm frog design. He was a professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and earned his Masters in Human Computer Interaction (MHI) and BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Jon Kolko on Designing Products That Improve User Engagement

In Chapter 8 of 16 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and designer Jon Kolko answers "What Problems Are You Trying to Solve at MyEdu?" Working at an internet company focused on designing job search products to help millennial college students find meaningful employment, Kolko finds the process comes down to understanding user engagement. He compares and contrasts user engagement and experience between college student users and job recruiter users. Jon Kolko is VP of Design at MyEdu and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (AC4D). He has authored three books on design and previously has worked in design roles at Austin, Texas venture accelerator Thinktiv and global innovation firm frog design. He was a professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and earned his Masters in Human Computer Interaction (MHI) and BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Jon Kolko on How Pressure Can Help and Hinder Employee Motivation

In Chapter 9 of 16 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and designer Jon Kolko answers "What Does It Mean to Perform Under Pressure in the Work That You Do?" Kolko finds that intrinsic motivation approaches better suit designers than extrinsic ones. He finds extrinsic factors tied to strategic goals are less tangible and can come across as fire drills and do more harm than good to design team productivity. As he grows as a leader, Kolko looks for ways to nuance both tools managing his team. Jon Kolko is VP of Design at MyEdu and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (AC4D). He has authored three books on design and previously has worked in design roles at Austin, Texas venture accelerator Thinktiv and global innovation firm frog design. He was a professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and earned his Masters in Human Computer Interaction (MHI) and BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Jon Kolko on Making an Impact in an Executive Leadership Role

In Chapter 10 of 16 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and designer Jon Kolko answers "At This Point in Your Life, Where Are You Seeking Advice and Coaching?" Kolko shares how work experience in his new Vice President role is helping him learn entrepreneurial strategy and executive leadership skills from colleagues. The senior-level role and its related exposure to higher level conversations open opportunities for Kolko to champion design strategy as a company leader. Jon Kolko is VP of Design at MyEdu and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (AC4D). He has authored three books on design and previously has worked in design roles at Austin, Texas venture accelerator Thinktiv and global innovation firm frog design. He was a professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and earned his Masters in Human Computer Interaction (MHI) and BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Jon Kolko on Why Confidence Matters in Creative Jobs

In Chapter 11 of 16 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and designer Jon Kolko answers "What Role Does Confidence Play in the Work That You Do?" Kolko notes why confidence is fundamental in a creative design career, namely that in a work environment where repeated failure is a given, resiliency is everything. Having a creative career making things depends on having the confidence to iterate past the failures to get to solutions and solve problems. Jon Kolko is VP of Design at MyEdu and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (AC4D). He has authored three books on design and previously has worked in design roles at Austin, Texas venture accelerator Thinktiv and global innovation firm frog design. He was a professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and earned his Masters in Human Computer Interaction (MHI) and BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Jon Kolko on Learning the Nuances of General Management

In Chapter 12 of 16 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and designer Jon Kolko answers "How Are You Learning to Better Manage and Motivate Teams?" As he gains general management experience managing larger design teams at MyEdu, Kolko learns to handle challenging situations and help individuals and teams execute by using hands-off and hands-on techniques. Jon Kolko is VP of Design at MyEdu and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (AC4D). He has authored three books on design and previously has worked in design roles at Austin, Texas venture accelerator Thinktiv and global innovation firm frog design. He was a professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and earned his Masters in Human Computer Interaction (MHI) and BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Jon Kolko on How to Improve Social Interactions at Work

In Chapter 13 of 16 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and designer Jon Kolko answers "How Are You Learning to Work More Effectively With Different Personality Types?" Kolko shares how working effectively with others, no matter what differences exist, comes down to respect. Respecting a person's point of view creates a more accepting foundation to have a discussion and to communicate more effectively. Jon Kolko is VP of Design at MyEdu and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (AC4D). He has authored three books on design and previously has worked in design roles at Austin, Texas venture accelerator Thinktiv and global innovation firm frog design. He was a professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and earned his Masters in Human Computer Interaction (MHI) and BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Matt Curtis on Innovative Ways Cities Can Create Local Jobs

In Chapter 6 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, HomeAway government relations director Matt Curtis answers "What Have You Learned About What Cities Can Do to Drive Innovation That Creates Jobs?" Curtis shares ways cities can find innovative ways to grow organically, or from within, and inorganically, or from the outside. Organically, it comes to municipal programming such as job training, small business support services, and strong education systems to grow and retain talent. Attracting talent - both individuals and companies - starts with creating a local city culture and community that attracts job seekers and job creators. Matt Curtis is the director of government relations at HomeAway Inc. Previously he was communications director for Austin mayors Lee Leffingwell and Will Wynn. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

Matt Curtis on Honing Travel Industry Career Aspirations

In Chapter 7 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, HomeAway government relations director Matt Curtis answers "How Are Your Aspirations Changing as Your Experience Grows?" Two years into leaving a public service job to work for HomeAway in the short-term rental travel industry, Curtis begins to see bigger picture potential for what it means to have a travel industry career. Matt Curtis is the director of government relations at HomeAway Inc. Previously he was communications director for Austin mayors Lee Leffingwell and Will Wynn. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

Matt Curtis on How to Build Trust by Being Forthright

In Chapter 8 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, HomeAway government relations director Matt Curtis answers "How Do You Establish Trust When Building Relationships?" From the get-go or onset of a conversation, Curtis tries to be forthright and clear in his communication. He gets feedback that this straightforward and often blunt communication style is well-received for its sincerity. Matt Curtis is the director of government relations at HomeAway Inc. Previously he was communications director for Austin mayors Lee Leffingwell and Will Wynn. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

Matt Curtis on How to Have a Better Career Advice Conversation

In Chapter 10 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, HomeAway government relations director Matt Curtis answers "How Have You Learned to Give Better Advice When People Ask You For Help?" Curtis learns early not to give unsolicited advice. When approached for career advice, Curtis tries to get to the root question or issue being asked and answer it in a straightforward manner. He asks for feedback constantly and learns to manage his time by scheduling phone calls when in-person meetings are unnecessary. Matt Curtis is the director of government relations at HomeAway Inc. Previously he was communications director for Austin mayors Lee Leffingwell and Will Wynn. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

Matt Curtis on 3 Ways to Give More Effective Mentor Advice

In Chapter 12 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, HomeAway government relations director Matt Curtis answers "How Are You Learning to Be a Better Mentor to Young Professionals?" As someone well-versed in seeking out mentors and asking for advice, Curtis learns three principles to giving more effective mentor guidance. First, it pays to be positive. Second, transparency is essential. Third, Curtis pushes hard to get as much insight from a mentee as possible before making recommendations. Matt Curtis is the director of government relations at HomeAway Inc. Previously he was communications director for Austin mayors Lee Leffingwell and Will Wynn. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.