April 2023
Staff Spotlight: Conor Moening Software Engineer
What three words would you use to describe your role?
Research, programming, fun
What is your motto or personal mantra?
I’ve taken a liking to something someone has talked about with me more recently. “You’re not special.” It’s a bit cynical, but when you think of it in the context of how strangers might think of you or how you might be viewed, I think it’s really impactful. Using that mentality has really helped with anxiety in social situations and helped me push myself forward in things I would otherwise be afraid of doing.
If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
Ken Thompson. I would love to be taught by the people who were here in computing from the beginning of the modern world. They made the building blocks and core systems that we still use today, so many years later.
What do you wish other people knew about the NCL?
It’s really not that hard, you can do it! I went into my first season not really knowing much about the security world and still had a ton of fun and learned a ton.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I absolutely love romance movies/TV shows/books. I don’t read as much as I used to, but I love a good romance.
What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?
It’s not really “weird” but it was my first real job I ever had. I worked for the Exhibition Crew for the California State Fair and we built displays for educational/entertainment booths. It’s not really a job most people probably think of, so I suppose that’s why I think of it as weird, but I worked with some awesome people and I had a ton of fun there.
What’s the next place on your travel bucket list?
I really want to go to Greece. I love Greek architecture and mythology and would love to go see all of that firsthand.
What is your favorite line from a movie or book?
“Please don’t confuse love and logic... They aren’t even remotely related” from Love and Other Unknown Variables by Shannon Lee Alexander. I first read this book in high school and really didn’t understand at first - but as I’ve grown up, this has never rang more true.
What would you do for a career if you weren’t a Software Engineer?
In another world, I would love to be an artist, a woodworker, a blacksmith, or something of that variety. I love creating things and that’s essentially what I do now - although the things I create are virtual. I would love to make physical things and surround myself in that world.