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Take a look at Chris's job at Apple Computers!
Computers, Computers, Computers
by Carly Borak
EAU CLAIRE, Wis.-As a child, most are interested in playing with cars, riding their bikes, or having sleepovers with friends. Chris Baylor, on the other hand was having a love affair with computers.
His uncle, Hap, started living with his family when Baylor was around 5 years old. He brought home the family their first computer, which prompted the family to buy their own. Baylor’s mom, a resource teacher, also brought home Apple computers from the school. Baylor attributes that to his current job, which is working for Apple computers.
Baylor started working at Apple in December of 2004 and works winters and summers. He was a Mac specialist, or a in other terms a sales person. He helped customers determine what they were interested in, whether it was a computer or an Ipod. He was also involved in their tech support department and trouble shooting. Baylor also provided a lot of information about Apple computer and Ipods and the accessories for those products. “I love the job because I love Apple stuff,” said Baylor.
Although he did say that it is a job he would not like to hold for the rest of his life. He would like to work with computers or for Apple because he loves to be involved in the new types of media that are out on the market. He is also a big fan of Apple as a whole and all the products they produce.
Baylor, a junior at UW-Eau Claire with a broadcast journalism major, currently owns three computers. A laptop which he totes around to class in order to take notes, a computer which he uses as a server to upload things to and one to do all of his video editing on. “The money I have spent on cars, pales in comparison to money I have spent on my computers,” said Baylor about his obsession.
The computer Baylor uses to do his video editing is hopefully the golden ticket to his future job. His dream is creating and editing documentary films, possibly for the discovery channel. Space and nature interested him as a child and both are still a part of his life. “I would like to do films on space, especially because I always wanted to be an astronaut when I was a kid,” said Baylor about his dream.
Baylor has also put his skills to use on campus. About two years ago, he attended TV10’s open house and was instantly attracted. He joined the team as a volunteer and has worked his way up to station manager something that he is very proud of. Being a station manager at TV10 has a lot of responsibilities. Baylor is the figure head of TV10, promoting it to the students on campus and groups off campus as well. He is also the person everyone comes to at the station with questions, concerns, problems or ideas about a new show. He runs meetings, does his best to provide TV10 with a competent leader, who loves his job.
Baylor attributes a lot of his success to Prof. Jack Kapfer, a teacher in the CJ department. He admitted that Kapfer is very open and honest, and has been very helpful in giving him constructive criticism. “Kapfer has helped me the best, as far as what I should do with broadcast, and has given me a lot of direction,” said Baylor.
Family is also a very influential part of Baylor’s life. Growing up, according to Chris was not a-typical. His parents divorced at a very young age, so his older brother and sister raised him, while his mother worked multiple jobs to support her family. Baylor and his brother shared a common love for computers.
Baylor’s sister was like second mother to him as she helped his mother raise both him and his brother. To this day his sister is more like mother to him, although they do get along much better now that they are both older.
The relationship that he and his brother had was much more typical of brothers. They hung out all the time, playing soccer, football or baseball, or just beating each other up. They both have very common interests, which may be the reason why they worked together at Apple for two of the winters that Baylor was there. Also in high school they worked at the same job. “He was and still is my idol,” said Baylor about his relationship with his brother.
His uncle and grandparents were also very willing to help and also around to lend a hand. His mother re-married about 10 years ago, and Chris and his step-dad get along fairly well. “I liked him when I was little, although we clashed more as I grew up, we get along pretty well, as we both have matured,” said Baylor about his relationship with his step-dad.
Baylor enjoys UW-Eau Claire, and feels that this is the place for him. He has found a niche for himself in the Communications department and can’t picture himself anywhere else.
