Jarele Brickley is an Information Technology (IT) support engineer, whose team interacts with every other team at the company, helping to ensure that Houzzers in each office have the necessary tools to get their jobs done. When he’s not working, he enjoys playing with his daughter and watching her blossom and grow. He is also an avid basketball player and bowler.  

Were you always interested in working with computers?
Yes. To me, working with computers is like fitting together the pieces of a puzzle. When I was in high school, I qualified for a competitive “Tech Futures Pilot Program” at a nearby school with one other classmate to receive training in web design, coding and networking. It presented me with a clear direction and an internship toward a career path. I ultimately received my college degree in business administration from the University of San Francisco, but I worked as a computer support specialist in the law library and decided that I wanted to pursue a career in IT. I enjoy making end users happy and keeping myself active and engaged in current technology, so it all ties together.

What advice do you have for people looking to start their careers in IT?
Do it! There are so many different directions you can take in IT. It’s really what you’re most passionate about. You can be customer facing or behind the scenes taking care of the network. Those jobs provide different values to a company, but both are extremely necessary. 

How did you hear about Houzz?
I’m a big fan of Ludacris, and I came across the My Houzz TV episode where he gave his mom a home makeover. I thought it was really cool that the whole project revolved around an app, so I started researching Houzz to learn more and found a job listing for an IT Support Engineer. It felt like it was meant to be.

What do you like most about Houzz?
First and foremost, the people. I get to talk to and engage with really smart people, the smartest folks I’ve worked with in my career. Everyone is passionate about what they do, the industry we’re in and the platform itself. I consider myself lucky to be able to learn and grow from my coworkers. And the atmosphere really is like no other: fun on top of fun. My first day of work was the annual Houzz Retreat, where Houzzers from the Palo Alto team got together outside of the office to socialize and get to know each other better. I was blown away. On Day Two, we were all back in the office and that friendly spirit continued. 

What’s an accomplishment you’re proud of working on at Houzz?
I recently had the opportunity to lead Camp IT, an internal training initiative for our IT Support and Systems teams. What was initially meant to be a brief knowledge-sharing session with our U.S. team turned into an international training with Houzzers from around the world. I’m not usually comfortable being in front of a camera, but my manager encouraged me to expand the audience for the initial meeting and I received really positive feedback. I’m glad to have had the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone. 

What is a lesson you learned early in your career which you carry with you?
Treat everyone the same. I handle support for someone from the C-suite the same as I would for someone in an entry-level position, with just as much quality and care. It doesn’t matter the position; every job is important at a company. 

How important is workplace diversity to you?
It’s very important. At Houzz, there are people from every corner of the globe, which I appreciate, because I can learn from and understand different cultures and values. Houzz is a potluck when it comes to diversity. It’s one of the things I enjoy most about working here.

February commemorates Black History Month. What does Black history mean to you?
It’s a celebration of the many achievements and strides that were made by a particular group over the history of this country. It’s important that we step back and recognize the pioneers who shaped the country, the fight for equality and advancement of civil rights. That said, Black history is made every day. People are doing wonderful things and have been doing amazing things for years. That type of knowledge can’t be boxed into 28 days alone. 

How has Black history shaped your life?
In elementary school, my dad would give me packets of reading material on different figures to help me learn their stories and find out what they overcame. I would write reports on George Washington Carver, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Jesse Owens and many others. This really influenced my early development and established my understanding for what people fought for and are continuing to fight for. But it also improved my reading and writing skills, and fostered a love for history in general.  

Who is the most influential role model in your life?
My grandfather. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and boxer from Louisiana and just the coolest guy I’ve ever known. I’ve always looked up to him. Even though he wasn’t large in stature, he was a powerful man and a pillar of strength. You could see it in the way he took care of his family and instilled strong values and knowledge in each of his five children. 

What’s an interesting fact about yourself?
I have three World Series rings, although I gave the first one I received to my mom. My first job out of college was with the San Francisco Giants as a help desk administrator. Growing up, I used to listen to the Giants’ baseball games on the radio with my grandfather and was a big fan of the team and the game. I worked with the organization for six years – during the height of their run for the annual Major League Baseball championship. I learned so much from everyone I encountered, from the players to the coaches to the executives to the board. It was a steep learning curve for a 21 year old, and I loved it. 

If you’re interested in joining our team, we’re hiring! Check out available opportunities at houzz.com/jobs.