Senior Systems Analyst Finds Career at Her Alma Mater

Lockport resident Connie Kick has spent the past 35 years working on behalf of students at Erie 1 BOCES after going through the doors of the Harkness Career & Technical Center as a student herself.

Kick is a Senior Systems Analyst currently. In 1985, she graduated from Clarence High School and the Data Processing program at Harkness. When she graduated, she was hired as summer help in the Data Entry Department at Erie 1 BOCES.

After a few weeks, Kick was asked if she wanted to try her hand at programming, as that is what she studied at Harkness and subsequently Buffalo State College. After a week of working in the Programming Department, she was asked to stay on as a programmer trainee, and the rest is history.

Kick noted the most worthwhile aspect of her job is constantly learning new things and being able to provide technical expertise for school districts’ student management systems.

“Not everyone ends up going to college, and BOCES offers a great opportunity to learn a trade and enter the workforce immediately,” Kick said. “It also helps you jumpstart your college education if that is the path you decide to take. I’m thankful for the time I spent at BOCES as a student so I could find a job I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy doing for so long.”

Kick is married to her husband Mike. Together they have three sons, two of which are twins and one of which is a pastor. In addition, Kick and her husband recently became grandparents for the first time.

In her free time, Kick enjoys crafting and boating. She is actively involved in her church.