Name: Ying Su

Current Position: Software Engineer

Degree: M.S. in Computer Science

What type of work do you perform?

I am on the web service team at WDT. I work on building web based interactive weather data display systems and WeatherOps Commander. I have been heavily involved in the development of weather data display systems since I joined WDT. WeatherOps Commander is a web portal where clients can do configurations tailoring to their weather information requirements. There are many pieces working together to distribute the reports and alerts to the user. I contribute to building the commander as well as those ancillary parts.

What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?

As a software engineer, it is the "engineer" part of the title that I like. An engineer is someone who makes useful things and I like to feel that is what I do. I like to see software products that I helped create being used by people. If the products can save lives or minimize losses for them, I feel it is more meaningful.

Before working at WDT, what was the most unusual or interesting job you had?

The first job I had was as a tutor. I started tutoring when I was a sophomore in college, and I tutored subjects like math, physics and English. My career as a software engineer started at National Meteorological Center of China Meteorological Administration. I mainly worked on meteorological data processing, storage and retrieving systems.

What are some of your hobbies?

I like traveling to see the wonders of nature, experience different cultures and expand my mind.  When I don't have the time to travel, I often take walks outside. I like reading about history, geography and cultures. Added to my reading list recently are books like “Diary of a Wimpy kid” or whatever my son is reading.

What did you want to be when growing up?

This reminds me of pretend games I played. I wanted to be everything; teacher, doctor, police officer, scientist. I thought I had my life sorted out when I was in high school and wanted to be a mathematician.