April 2003
Random Profile: Seth Linden
Every other month, Staff Notes Monthly spotlights a stochastically chosen staff member. This month we profile Seth Linden, a software engineer in the Research Applications Program.
A weather fanatic: Like a lot of NCAR employees,
Seth Linden is a self-described weather fanatic. “I 
love
all weather,” he declares. “Snow and severe weather are best.”
A glance at the bookmarks on Seth’s computer reveals dozens of weather-oriented
Web sites. “I love looking at the models,” he says as he scrolls
through his list of favorites.
A software engineer in RAP, Seth uses C++, Perl, and other computing languages
to analyze weather forecasting systems. Since starting
full time at NCAR a year ago, he’s worked on several projects, including
the Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) and the Dynamic, Integrated
Weather Forecast System (DICAST)—two premier RAP forecasting products.
The perfect job: It’s no accident that Seth ended up at NCAR. He knew he wanted to work here when he visited the Mesa Lab while a student at CU. Halfway through his college career, he saw an ad for a student assistant position at UCAR.
“I was barely qualified, but I gave it a shot,” he says. He got the job and, after graduating in fall 2001 with a major in physics and a minor in atmospheric science, came aboard full time.
Seth learned his programming skills at NCAR. “Things are very education oriented here,” he says. “There’s something new I learn every day.”
“It’s a great environment because it’s self-motivated,” he adds. “You’re in control of what you do, and you’re given every opportunity to move up.”
“Anything outdoors”: Having grown up a few hours away in Alamosa, Seth likes to do “anything outdoors.” He downhill skis at Winter Park and Copper Mountain, and he has backpacked in Wyoming and Alaska as well as throughout Colorado. He mountain bikes, does a little rock climbing, and likes to toss a Frisbee for fun.
A recreational body builder, he can be found working out during lunch in the NCAR fitness room. He also follows hockey and football with the Colorado Avalanche and the Denver Broncos.
“I love fitness in general,” Seth says. “If I didn’t have to come to work, I would be hiking, in the mountains, or the gym.”
Or he might be listening to hip-hop music or hanging out on Pearl Street or on the Hill in Boulder. He used to play the drums but now focuses on making CDs of his favorite music on his computer.
Down the road: Seth is already well traveled, having been to Costa Rica, Mexico, Honduras, Alaska, the Caribbean, and Europe. He has a trip to Brazil planned for this spring and wants to see more of Central America. The Far East and the Himalayas are on his list as well.
And since he’s already got his dream job, his current plan is to stay put at NCAR for the near future and take more computer classes. He plans eventually to enroll in a master’s degree program in atmospheric science at CU.
“My outlook on life,” Seth says, “is that if you put in the work, things will come your way and good things will happen.” •Nicole Gordon
Also in this issue...
Karyn Sawyer weighs in on bombs, eels, and other career diversions
The marathoners: Staffers put in long shifts during snowstorm
ACD Studies Globe-Trotting Chemicals
A better fit: Jeffco to get new hangar
Refurbishment update: ML Library will move temporarily
