Jesse Kon | Knowlegeable in varied technologies, helping others do better

Jesse Kon keeps himself on top of things by reminding himself to do better. “My personal motto is simple,” he says, “you can’t get complacent.  No matter how good you are at something, you can always learn more and do better!”

Jesse has been assisting many people at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) to do better for the last 14 years. As an information technologies (IT) zone manager, Jesse is an IT expert.  His extensive knowledge of varied technologies allows faculty and staff to do their own jobs in a more efficient manner.  

He credits a former colleague for reminding him of the value in doing things right the first time around. With this and his own motto in mind, Jesse is able to help others do better. He also says he regrets not spending more time around computers when he was younger. “I just had no interest in them back then. I’d tell my teenage self to quit chasing girls and to learn more about computers as it would be helpful in the future.”

In his role, Jesse manages CSM, Veterinary Medicine, Development and Alumni Engagement, the Downtown Campus and McMahon Stadium, referred to in IT as ‘Zone C’.  He is one on a team of nine, who, in a nutshell, fix computers, phones, or anything else that comes their way. 

While visiting various offices and desks around Zone C, Jesse often encounters people apologizing for asking odd questions about today’s technologies and gadgets. He wants everyone to know that there’s no such thing as a silly question. “There are no stupid questions, but there can be stupid answers. I love the work I do for the CSM, and to me it’s a privilege to help those whose jobs are to fix much more important things than computers!”

Being an avid lover of fixing things, Jesse takes on that role outside of work as well. He’s a tinkerer. “I love working on cars.” he says. He considers it a hobby right now, but if he could do anything for a living, he would be a mechanic. “In another life perhaps.” 

While he loves his job, every summer, Jesse enjoys downtime away from it all visiting his favorite place - a remote campsite outside of Radium called McLeod Meadows.  “The most important thing about this place? There is no service of any kind,” he says.  “Phones don’t work, computers don’t work.  It’s my annual ‘unplug’ and it’s when my family truly gets to bond!”

In the meantime, Jesse says it means a lot to be a part of the CSM, especially as it celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year. “It’s a great culture to be a part of,” he says as he talks about what he enjoys most about working at the medical school. He says playing even a small role and being a part of the wonder and excitement of what happens on a daily basis is pretty incredible. Where would he like to see the CSM go in the next half decade? “I hope the research being done here becomes the basis for things I can’t even fathom yet. I imagine it will.” 

Tidbits from Jesse:

Do you have any hidden talents? “I like to think I’m a pretty good rapper.”

What does a typical Saturday morning look like for you? “Usually I sleep in, than take the little one to a pool for a while. Then I have to undo all the messes of the week.”

When you were a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? “A doctor. Go figure.”

What is your favourite moment of the day? “That moment in bed, right before I fall asleep!”

Any favourite movies? “A lesser known move of Christian Bale’s called ‘Equilibrium’. Best movie ever, mainly due to Gun-fu.  I’ve always loved ‘Back to the Future’, since seeing it as a kid.  I have always dreamed of one day having a DeLorean.”