Peter Coppola

Staff Profile: Peter Coppola

Web Services Manager, Peter Coppola boarded the www train as it was gaining momentum in 1993.  Peter is based at the Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary) and has worked at the University for four and a half years.

With an invested interest in the ever-changing technological landscape and three digital natives of his own, Peter understands the importance of having a willingness to adapt.

How would you spend your ideal day?

Whatever way I spend an ideal day, it would end without me noticing that I hadn't checked my email, phone or news on the web during that day, and would definitely start with homemade pancakes.

In life I have learnt...

That it’s better to approach a difficult situation with a calm state of mind, but doing that is difficult in itself.

Something that inspires me...

The energy and idealism of youth, and people that can keep that when they get older.

What would surprise people most about your job?

That I actually enjoy it (mostly).

What has been the most significant development in your field since starting your career?

Too many to keep up with. But probably the Google Search engine has had the most lasting influence so far. That and open source development, since it has been the foundation for many of the best innovations.

If you could invite any five people to dinner, who would they be?

Van Morrison (for a live performance of my favourite songs), Julia Gillard (to help start a debate) Mark Schwarzer (he’s a national hero), Steve Jobs (I’ll pick his brain for an idea that will help me retire in a few years time), and Tetsuya Wakuda (to cook us the best dinner of course!)