by CUGC HQ
Kari Ludvigsen
Lier, Norway
What Citrix technologies are most important to your work?
Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop (including Director) is really important to my work. We deliver apps seamlessly to our users and customers every single day. My goal is to keep all the customers satisfied and to keep all their applications available and up-and-running on all devices from anywhere.
What current tech trends are you most interested in?
NetScaler! I’ve always been fascinated with NetScaler. It’s such a powerful appliance, which I think is a “must-have” for every company in the future. If we look at what NetScaler can do for us with optimizing web applications, load balancing, content switching, NetScaler Gateway etc., it’s pretty amazing. 😉 I try to keep myself updated on NetScaler, so I can be ready for CCA-N pretty soon.
This will be your first trip to Citrix Synergy–are you excited? What are you most looking forward to?
Finally I’m going to Synergy this year! So many times I’ve seen all of my friends and “Citrix family” travel to this event, and I’ve only caught up with the Citrix news through Twitter, LinkedIn and, of course, through Citrix User Group Norway, where I’m a board member. Actually, being a board member of Citrix User Group Norway has given me so many new and close friends. It’s really amazing to meet up with and get to know people and share the same passion for Citrix as myself. This year I’m finally going with my Citrix-family to Synergy and I’m SO excited about it.
I’ll be hosting technical discussions at the Hot Topics Roundtables. How cool is that? I’m really looking forward to some awesome technical discussions, meeting new people, increasing my knowledge and having real tech fun.
I’m also excited about increasing my Citrix-knowledge with GREAT sessions and hands-on labs. And I’m really looking forward to networking with my Citrix-family, of course. And not to forget: meeting my mentor in the CUGC Women in Tech mentoring program, Esther Barthel. Actually, this event is so important for me, that when my employer didn’t approve this trip to Synergy, I paid for it myself and called it “vacation.”
Speaking of the CUGC Women in Tech mentoring program and your mentor Esther Barthel, how has that experience been for you?
Being a mentee in the CUGC Women in Technology Mentorship Program has really given me a positive push. Being able to get to know and talk for hours with another tech woman, and geek around with a real celebrity CTP is really enjoyable and boosts my energy. Being a tech woman in a man’s world is quite a challenge sometimes. Therefore, to experience that it IS possible that girls can actually have some real tech fun too, gives me the extra energy to not give in or give up in getting to do the fun tech stuff that I really love and enjoy!
Norway was recently ranked the happiest country in the world. Tell us a little about your life there, and what you like to do in your free time.
Ever since Norway recently was named the #1 happiest country on the planet, I wake up happily every morning! 🙂 No, actually I’m rather tired at 6 o’clock in the morning, but I’m always thankful for another new day given to me. I’m using almost all of my spare time to study for Citrix exams and to work on my lab (my “precious” Skull). I enjoy the many hours I spend every week in my lab at home, troubleshooting and having fun, learning by doing. When I need to relax my head, I love to go for a walk with my dog, Chivas Regal. An hour rambling in the woods with my dog is pure joy to my soul.
