Takodah Alumni Spotlight: Max Barrett-Lhu, CT18

Years at Camp: 1999-2012 and then sporadically

CT: 18

LIT Year: 2007

Staff Positions held at Takodah:

During college, I split my summers between cabin leading and kitchen crew. Post-college, I volunteered in the kitchen as work allowed. Since 2019, I’ve been volunteering on the board, and am currently chair of the Facilities Committee.

How were you introduced to Takodah?

I’m a second-generation Takodian, and was also a Hornet’s Nest camper.

Did you attend college and, if so, where and what did you study?

I studied Computer Science at RPI.

What do you do for work?

I’m a software engineer at a company that’s helping electric utilities get renewables onto the grid faster.

What moment in your career are you most proud of?

Swapping out one of our client’s applications to an easier-maintained implementation. At the risk of making electric utility software sound exciting, it’s as if you changed a plane’s engine mid-flight. If you did your job well, nobody noticed.

Did your time at Takodah influence your career? If so, how?

I’ve actually kept Takodah on my resume over the years. Being responsible for a cabin of ten kids is a very real demonstration of leadership skills, and has led to some interesting interview conversations.

Are there any skills or traits that you gained at Takodah which you use in your professional life?

Even if the products are wildly different, the knowledge and strategy of how to work on a team that delivers consistently, even under pressure, are relevant to both software development and working on the kitchen crew.

Are there any specific memories from your time at Takodah that are still impactful to you?

There are oh-so-many memories to choose from. To pick one though: My wife, Ivana, and I got married in the midst of the pandemic. So much of our ceremony came together through the friendships I’d built over the years… venue, music, food, cake, officiant, and best man. Even if it was a small gathering, it was a deep affirmation of community after a long and lonely year.