March 18, 2009
Inside the Intricate Mind of an Internet Developer: A Look into the Life of John David Parsons
By Ashley Dischinger
John David Parsons remains hard at work, juggling computer science classes and his job as Elon's Web applications developer.
John David Parsons not only manages to juggle classes and a full-time job as Elon University’s Web applications developer, but he pulls it off in a way that earns the respect of everyone with whom he interacts.
Parsons has worked as a member of the Elon University relations team since receiving his B.A. in international studies in 2006.
“I love my job,” Parsons said. “I want to stick with it even after I finish classes (this spring). It’s a great atmosphere. It’s very relaxed and with the economic downturn, there’s no better place to be employed than a university.”
Self-guided and spontaneous
Parsons describes his job as self-guided. He spends his time brainstorming and implementing new Web features, fixing computer bugs as they surface and often being pulled away from his office to solve various computer-related problems.
Parsons never knows quite what to expect when he arrives at work every morning, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. His personality is compatible with the spontaneity of his job description, according to Dan Anderson, director of University Relations.
‘Not your typical computer programmer’
“(John David) is very creative and committed to making applications the best they can be,” Anderson said. “He has a number of talents, and all of that shows up in his work. He’s not your typical computer programmer.”
Olivia Hubert-Allen, Elon senior and former editor of The Pendulum, shares Anderson’s esteem for Parsons’ work ethic.
“He’s always been very curious and enthusiastic about computer programming,” Hubert-Allen said.
Working tirelessly on The Pendulum Web site
Hubert-Allen saw Parsons’ dedication first -hand after collaborating twice on The Pendulum Web site, in 2005 and 2007.
The first revision altered the site so that everything was database-driven and could be easily searched and archived. After “getting a foot in the door” with the first revision, Parsons helped Hubert-Allen again in February 2009.
This time The Pendulum site was completely revamped to include even more features and a more aesthetic layout. Parsons helped optimize the site for search engines, making it easier to comb for information.
The new site, which contains every story in the print edition, also has a mobile phone version, which is very rare for student media sites and even professional local news sites.
“John David worked endlessly on The Pendulum Web site — it was unreal,” Hubert-Allen said. “(He) stayed up for close to 40 hours during the final tweaks on the site. I gave him a few days off after that.”
Taking E2 and running with it
Parsons also demonstrated his tireless work ethic with the debut of E2, Elon’s own social network, which was his first project as the Web applications developer.
“When I decided to build E2, I gave (Parsons) a few ideas, and he really ran with it,” Anderson said.
Parsons said E2 is similar to other social networking sites such as Facebook, but believes the difference lies in the many features that are unique to the Elon community.
“E2 is an internal social network,” Parsons said. “The real benefit is that it gives the alumni a window into communicating with (a younger) age group. It’s their way of entry into the social networking phenomena.”
Click below to listen to the ‘best life advice’ Parsons received:
Parsons still updates E2 regularly and constantly envisions new ways to improve the system. With the next round of revisions looming, Parsons hopes to add more Elon-specific features.
“I would like to see features that really connect current students with alumni in their respective fields,” Parsons said. “I want this next revision to lead to real-life handshakes and human-to-human interaction.”
First a computer programmer, but also an artist
Anderson and Hubert-Allen also praise Parsons’ multi-faceted personality and his varied talents.
Parsons displays Anonymous' latest CD, which he helped record, produce and now promotes. Parsons enjoys exercising his musical talents in his spare time.
“He’s a programmer, first and foremost,” Hubert-Allen said. “But he is also an artist.”
Parsons is very musically inclined since he grew playing the guitar and piano. He soon discovered Reason, a computer program that features a virtual music-making studio.
“It was a powerful tool that first connected my music side and my computer side,” Parsons recalled. “It’s really fun to play around with.”
He started recording music for local up-and-coming bands, such as Anonymous, and he uses his friend’s studio to record, produce and mix the music before making CDs for distribution.
Parsons still finds the time to compose music with his own band, Head Chemists, which he describes as a hybrid of “acoustic electronic” music. The Head Chemists play as a hobby, but their music can be purchased on iTunes.
Lacking a Nintendo but filing up his passport
Parsons also shares a passion for traveling. While he was an undergrad at Elon, he studied abroad four times, including a summer in Mexico and a semester in Costa Rica. His family, who always saved money to travel, has visited places like Cambodia, Singapore and Japan.
“I like the newness of everything (when traveling),” Parsons said. “It’s nice to break out. It’s like a breath of fresh air to be washed over by another culture.”
Parsons paused and smiled.
“Actually, it’s like restarting your computer,” he said.
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