UNC-CH Information Technology Services

The Road to ITS: Ingrid Camacho

Passing an English language exam by one point took ITS Phone Services Manager Ingrid Camacho on a journey that eventually landed her at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Camacho, a native of Puerto Rico, had just graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a B.A. in Advertising and Communications. Not fluent in spoken English, she decided to join the United States Army and take advantage of the opportunity to attend – along with other Puerto Ricans – the English language school at Lakeland, Texas.

“But then I passed the English test,” said Camacho. “By one point! The one test I really didn’t want to pass.”

So in October 1988, alone and - despite the passing grade - struggling with English, Camacho was sent to Fort Dix, N.J., for basic training.

“I made it through basic, but it was rough,” said Camacho. “The drill sergeant would tell me not to call him ‘sir.’ In the army, there’s a saying that if you’re called ‘sir,’ you don’t work for a living. And drill sergeants want their recruits to know they definitely work for a living. I would get mixed up and call my drill sergeant ‘sir‘ every time. I spent the whole first week doing push-ups… I got in shape pretty fast.”

After five years, Camacho decided to leave the army.

“It was hard for women to move up, and I wasn’t allowed the opportunity to become an officer,” said Camacho.

During her stint in the military, Camacho worked with computers and emerging technologies, but once back in the civilian world, she took a job with Payless Shoes in Watertown, N.Y. Within a year, she had worked her way up to manager.

Eventually, Camacho moved to North Carolina to be closer to family - two sisters had married military men who were stationed at Fort Bragg - and in 1999, she decided to obtain formal technology training and certification.

In 2000, Camacho began work as a contractor at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Help Desk. In January 2001, she became a permanent employee.

As Phone Services Manager, Camacho manages the team that answers 962-HELP calls.

“Many of the Help Desk customers use the phone to request help,” said Camacho. “I take great pride that our customer service is first class.”

According to Camacho, the work is challenging and fast-paced, and it ensures that everyone stays up-to-date with emerging technologies. But the best benefit isn’t the technology.

“I love the people I work with and the people we serve. It’s so rewarding,” said Camacho.

In her spare time, Camacho plays the guitar as well as the tambora, a drum used in the Dominican Republic. In addition, she runs a Web site business that creates and sells Hispanic T-shirt designs.

What does she miss about Puerto Rico?

“The weather and the Puerto Rican beaches, but in North Carolina, I love the southern hospitality. No other place makes me feel as welcome,” said Camacho.