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IBM Draws Young Talent tFo Dutchess County
or software engineer Michael Lyons, working at IBM and living in Dutchess County is the best
of both worlds. The work allows him to help transform industries through technology, and the lifestyle gives him opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and meet new people.
Born and raised near Worcester, Massachusetts, Lyons developed an early interest in computers from his uncle, who oversaw the data infrastructure of a dental company. Lyons graduated from Cornell University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering, then received his master’s in electrical and computer engineering one year later from Cornell.
After graduating, Lyons sought to remainontheEastCoasttobeclose enough to family. He received job leads in the nancial sector but was torn about where he wanted to start his career.
“IBM had more to o er,” says Lyons, who was drawn by the company’s mission to use technology to drive results.
“On top of that, the proximity to New York City is good, and it’s also good that you can get the city experiences but you don’t have to sacri ce a lot of personal space,” he adds about deciding to land in Dutchess County.
“That’s pretty important to me, important to my general well-being,” he says, noting that he regularly takes advantage of local hiking spots.
Lyons started at IBM in September 2012.Asoftwareengineerin rmware, he designs and develops code used in an array of industries, from banking to air travel to retail.
Recently, he helped develop
language that enables faster and more robust analytics for businesses, designed to help them better reach their customers. For example, a sales associate can give a customer who typically buys one product an instant couponforthatproduct,thankstoIBM’s faster analytics solutions.
“It’s a purpose you can really rally behind—speci cally, helping people,” says Lyons.
A millennial with plenty of new, young co-workers, Lyons helps them acclimate to IBM through its New Hire Network. The network, which young employees typically use in their rst two years, sets up IBMers with professional development opportunities. It also organizes outboarding events like ice cream socials and miniature golf outings, and community outreach opportunities like cleaning up local trails and mentoring students in P-TECH schools.
The program is important for the
IBMemployees ndDutchessCounty
is a perfect place to collaborate in the development of technology that powers our world.
total wellness of young IBM employees, Lyons says, as it allows them both to have fun experiences outside of the workplace and become part of the Dutchess County community.
“You have to make sure they feel linked to something, and that’s something you see in the millennial generation,” says Lyons. “It’s not a job anymore, it’s more about purpose. If you drive that here in Dutchess County— that you have a higher purpose you can direct into the community—that’s really important to drive home.”
Millennials like Lyons are choosing IBM because there, they have the opportunity to help change the world through technology—to have purpose. It’s a unique career path claimed right here in Dutchess County.
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