Young Pro: Broman working IT's front lines
Hans Broman
• Age: 24
• Occupation: IT sales and marketing
• Education: Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, Spanish minor, Colorado State University
• Family: Parents work in health care locally; older brother and sister
• Contact information: Phone: (970) 266-0703 x 312; https://www.facebook.com/hans.broman.94;www.linkedin.com/in/hbroman2/
Q: Explain what you do.
A: I work for iPoint, a local information technology firm that assists small- to medium-sized businesses with their technology. Although I wear many hats during the week, my general work includes sales meetings, internal marketing strategies and search engine optimization (SEO) for our clients.
Q: How did you get into the business
A: My career at iPoint began as an internship while I was finishing up my degree at CSU. I had a very limited IT background before joining the company, but I've learned a ton of industry knowledge in just a few short years.
Q: What are the biggest challenges you or your industry face?
A: The tech industry is often undermined among business owners. I've encountered folks who either don't understand the importance of IT with regard to business functionality, as well as those who are skeptical of providers due to less-than-effective relationships in the past.
Q: What are the biggest rewards of your job?
A: It's always rewarding to see our work boosting clients' business productivity. Our owner enjoys barbecuing on Fridays, which is always a treat — one week, I even received a foot massage for winning an internal contest at our office. How's that for rewarding?
Q: What advice do you have for someone else thinking about a career in your field
A: Go for it. Technology is not going away; it is only advancing. Stay up to date with the latest industry trends in order to remain proactive and knowledgeable for future prospective clients and business owners. Always remember that it's OK to ask questions, especially in industries that advance as rapidly as ours.
Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I loved to build as a kid, and was really interested in robotics. I wanted to be an engineer initially, but the schooling seemed a bit superfluous after I realized I couldn't just play with Legos all day long.
Q: What kept you from pursuing that vision?
A: I grew older and realized that I was more of a socializer than a bookworm. I was one of those kids who never really studied for exams but still made respectable grades. In business, you work either behind the scenes or on the front lines — and I consider myself the latter.
Q: Where do you see yourself careerwise in 10 years?
A: I enjoy life's curve balls as they happen, so I have not even pondered where I will be a year from now. Ideally, I'd like to remain in Colorado (and maybe own a Ferrari, as well).
Q: Outside of work, what's your favorite thing to do and your favorite place to do it?
A: If I'm not at the gym, it's likely that I'm outdoors. It is incredibly easy to remain active and fit in Colorado, which is one of the reasons why I love it here. During the warmer months, I enjoy bicycling and concerts. Skiing is also a passion of mine, so you'll constantly find me on the slopes in the winter. I also work part-time as a ski instructor at Winter Park on the weekends.
Q: What role does volunteerism/giving back play in your work or personal life?
A: I've been blessed to be raised by wonderful parents who always emphasized the importance of paying it forward. It is important to me to be able to support those less fortunate, and to provide hope for individuals who are struggling. Volunteering for the Boys and Girls Club was a very rewarding experience for me. iPoint also partners with many Northern Colorado nonprofit organizations, which is extremely uplifting.
Q: Where is your favorite spot in Fort Collins and why?
A: Spring Creek bike trail. If you've never traveled it before, you need to. This past Father's Day I counted nearly 80 people in a 2-mile stretch. I guess I'm not the only one!
Q: If you could interview one person in the world who would that be and why?
A: It may come off as a bit dusty, but I would love to meet Warren Buffet of Berkshire Hathaway. I attended Drake University during my first few years of college and learned a great deal about the man and his economic philosophies. He is one of the most successful businessmen of the century, an extraordinary investor and philanthropist but you wouldn't know that from his composure or his modest house in Omaha. I think that's pretty cool.
Young Professional is a collaboration with the Fort Collins and Loveland chambers of commerce.