Interview with Customer Success Lead, Wolf Heikura

30 Apr Interview with Customer Success Lead, Wolf Heikura

Wolf coordinates efforts to ensure a smooth experience for our customers as they get started using Studylog.

Where did you grow up? 

I grew up as a  military dependent, so Michigan, Oregon, North Dakota, Washington, Japan, and finally California. I went to high school in Sacramento.

What sparked your interest in science and computers?

I didn’t get my first computer until I was about 15. When I was a teenager, I saw the potential for entertainment and education that the computer revolution represented. I was always fascinated with science to the point where I crammed six years of science classes into four years of high school.

Did you have any specific role models growing up? If so, who were they? 

My first hero was Jane Goodall. I followed her studies in National Geographic. In elementary school, I would document the lives and family trees of my aquarium fish in the same way that I saw her do with the chimpanzees of Gombe Stream. 

What is important to you personally? I.e. what things do you value most in life? 

Integrity, honesty, and authenticity. There is a lot of pressure in modern society to present a false face. I am drawn to people who are comfortable with who they are and unafraid to share that.

What are some of the challenges you have faced either in your career or personally that you feel have helped you become the successful human you are?

Keeping it light I see. 🙂 Well, all of us encounter people who are difficult or challenging. Learning to see things from the perspective of another, to receive people with compassion, and not take the behavior of others personally has been a big challenge for me. I have achieved some small success there and it has taught me that we all have more in common than we have differences. We all struggle. So I choose to struggle with people instead of against them if I can. Collaborative struggling. 

What did you think when you first saw Studylog?  

I thought it was a game changer for research. I immediately wanted to be a part of what Studylog was doing.

What have you read that has informed your skills as a writer?

Yes, I am a writer. I am a  student of poetry and that exposure has led me to have a better feel for what I call the “metabolism” of written language. For me, words sort of breathe. They inhale and exhale. They have a natural rhythm. Tapping into that rhythm allows information to flow off the page more smoothly.

What are the challenges inherent to technical writing for introducing new users to the software?

Studylog is very complex at first and can be overwhelming to the new user. This is because it is so flexible, which is also what makes it so powerful. The trick to introducing a new user is to sort of put blinders on them and lead them through the forest of options on a narrow path. Once they understand the basics of designing and executing a study using Studylog, then it is safe to begin introducing features and functions that they may find useful.

What do you like the most about being part of the Studylog team?

Studylog is a family and we all share a common vision. We are all excited to be making something that so many people find useful and helpful. It’s very rewarding. 

What do you do for fun?  

I enjoy cooking and trying new tastes. I like street food and food trucks as well as fine dining. I have a background in computer game design and development, so I still enjoy playing PC games as well. And I am always in line for the latest superhero movie.