Jim Fleming ’09 is an IT project manager but thinks his work came less from specific courses he took at Duke than from his background in coaching, plus “a combination of luck and hard work.” It’s rather a story.
TRANSCRIPT
I’m Scott Huler and this is The Devils’ Share — a podcast of Duke Magazine
Series One: Now What?
ACTUALITY
“He calls me up and he says there’s a company i know, they’re hiring in the US, they’re dealing with a software package called OPA, would you be interested in that? I said absolutely I’m interested. What’s OPA?
TRACK
We’ve been talking with Duke alumni about how their life’s path found them. Rare is the peron who knows where they’re going, who ends up where they set out. And putting enthusiasm ahead of experience worked for …
ACTUALITY
My name is Jim Fleming, I graduated in 09 with a degree in Public Policy studies.
TRACK
Which has led to …
ACTUALITY
I have a hybrid job. I am an IT project manager as well as a director of our customer relationship management software practice. It’s a mouthful.
TRACK
And that was exactly what he studied at Duke?
ACTUALITY
i had done a lot of coaching, i saw a need for reaching and engaging with at risk youth, on community engagement, youth programming, empowerment. I went to Duke v. focused on public sector
TRACK
So naturally …
ACTUALITY
I work for a company in the private sector. My company makes money.
TRACK
How he got there is kind of a long story, involving…
ACTUALITY
A combination of luck and hard work. Sometimes I wonder which one was more. After I graduated my first job was funded by the ARRA if you remember that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. After that grant ran out I was looking for work for a while. I ended up connecting with a few diff duke alums through some social programs. One of the people i connected with i met at a duke Mich St. basketball game watch in DC. he was starting a company and he needed some help with industry research and marketing and advertizing materials so i vol to help him as an internt for free to gain exp
He never did get the startup going. I moved on to have a couple random jobs here and there, i worked at a starbucks, worked at a groc store, things to do to pay the bills while i was looking for my career,
TRACK
And then one day his old internship employer called him and asked him about that software program, and of course…
ACTUALITY
I knew nothing about software. Yeah. Nothing.
TRACK
But that’s the great lesson.
ACTUALITY
Because the people that owned that company were very close with him and he made a strong recommendation, they hired me. And they figured ok we’ll just train you on the job which is a big part of my philosophy now with junior resources is bring me someone who’s motivated and capable and hardworking and i will train them.
TRACK
And mind you, though he works in the for-profit world, his community-work goals are fulfilled.
ACTUALITY
My focus is primarily finding municipalities that need updated software that need modernization of processes. One of the projects i’ve worked on is for a housing court case management system for keeping their court records. And we modernized their system for keeping records. That helps city workers and that also helps simplify processes for the people involved in those transactions, in this case housing court. Either on the “i’ve been evicted by my landlord” or “im a tenant and maybe i’m not quite engaged the way I should be in my community.” Well don’t make this process so hard for me that i just feel more and more disenfranchised. So yes I do what I was hoping I would do, just in a different way. I had hoped that I would stumble onto a job where I got to help people and make enough money to have a decent life and I feel like I exceeded my own expectations.
TRACK
So: Lessons he’d offer the younger version of himself?
ACTUALITY
Number one i would say you have spent so much time and energy preparing for college do the little bit extra. make the most out of those summers do things that are going to build relationships because you can build all the knowledge in the world but you also have to build relationships because that old adage it’s not what you know it’s who you know i wouldn’t say that’s true at face value but it really does matter who you know and who you meet on your life’s journey to finding your life’s passion and your life’s calling
The other thing i would say is don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and do some pro bono work. Show that you’re willing to make an investment in yourself and others are more apt to make an investment in you.
And the other thing i believe in karma. If you do good things for other people it’ll come around.
TRACK
And the converse also holds.
ACTUALITY
Don’t be afraid to reach out. I like being a resource for recent graduates, for students. I have been able to have relationships with both recent graduates and students and that has been very meaningful for me. I had the chance to be where I’m at because of a graduate of Duke who was willing to spend time, give me an oppty, and i want to give that back. As long as you’re willing to put in the work. If you reach out, you will get some help. Somebody will be willing to mentor you help you and be an advocate for you
TRACK
Next on The Devils’ Share:
ACTUALITY
I consider myself one of the lost Dukies. The world was a big and interesting place. And I learned nothing. Because all I did was kind of pursue what was the most interesting thing to me at the moment.
TRACK
Thanks for listening to The Devils’ Share from Duke Magazine.
