As we all can feel, there are many pressures on families and individuals these days. This is especially true for military members returning to civilian life. Service to their country is coming to an end, and a new set of challenges is set to begin. One former Air Force veteran, Dave Hickey of West Gardiner, ME, lived through those challenges. The personal pressures he experienced upon returning home inspired a noble decision. Dave determined he would help make that transition a bit easier for other returning veterans.  

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most school districts have moved to remote learning, leaving many disadvantaged families without means to stay connected and informed. Access to personal computers and internet service are critical for students to continue remote education. To respond to this unprecedented need in the community, Systems Engineering is stepping up our longtime partnership with PCs for Maine (now known as give IT. get IT.) Together, we have embarked on an ambitious plan to provide low-cost or no-cost laptops and desktops to disadvantaged families across the state of Maine.

In 2016, Systems Engineering launched our first ever summer internship program, which has continued to grow and develop over the last four years. With unemployment levels for technology workers at record lows, and a steady increase in open tech positions, students have a unique opportunity with Systems Engineering to gain real-world experience through on-the-job training for a quick transition into full-time careers. Several of our past participants have chosen to take positions within Systems Engineering once they have completed formal studies, which is a testament to the strength of our program and the quality of candidates accepted into the summer internship.

I am pleased to announce the recent promotions of two of our most influential employee-owners to our senior leadership team. These individuals have been an integral part of our company and culture since the day they arrived. They have repeatedly demonstrated what it means to be a good leader and a valued partner.

The Maine Marathon, charitable giving, and BBQ’s are three of our favorite ways to spend time here at Systems Engineering. This year, we have an astounding 21 employee-owners running all or part of the Maine Marathon. With such a large team, we decided to use the occasion to raise money for one of our core areas of giving; the Maine foster care system.

September 17, 2019 is National IT Professionals Day. Today is set aside to honor the venerable geeks of the world we all rely on to keep us connected. The IT professional is the unsung hero of modern business. Whether it be desktops, laptops, mobile devices, applications, servers, networks, databases, or cybersecurity, IT professionals keep business humming.

At Systems Engineering, we tend to stay under the radar. Focusing on our craft, our clients, our culture, and our community is how we spend our energy. On a daily basis, I am humbled by the passion and capabilities our employee-owners bring to their profession.