Matthew Cohen:
CLASS OF 1988
Bronx High School of ScienceClass of 1988
Bronx, NY
Carleton CollegeClass of 1992
Northfield, MN
Kingsbury Public School 188Class of 1980
Bayside, NY
Matthew's Story
While at college, I initially had considered becoming a music teacher, but in my explorations of the academic world I had learned too much about the ugliness of academic politics. Thus, I left college not sure of what I should do with my life. For the next year I stayed around the college town and managed a restaurant, considering my options. During that time I got engaged to Erin Erskine, whom I had been dating on and off during my time at Carleton. Once she graduated, the nearby Twin Cities with its low cost of living and high degree of culture seemed to opportune place for us both to explore our options. So, we moved to Minneapolis.
During that next year, while considering my options, I held a number of jobs simultaneously, including working in the marketing wing of the Minnesota Orchestra, guarding at the Walker Arts Center, and temping. The temping ended up leading to a job as support staff at the University of Minnesota, where I stayed for two years. That job was great for me, and it was at there that I first learned about the emerging World Wide Web, taught myself the basics and constructed one of the first department home pages at the University. The Web seems like the perfect outlet for my computer skills, since I can indulge my artistic sensibilities at the same time as my more technical side and curiosity. While working at the University, I also created my first commercial web site for my friend Ashu - Khazana: India Arts Online. This web site is still going strong for Ashu, and his beautiful gallery in Minneapolis is one of my favorite places to spend a day off.
It was during this time that, after a three year engagement, I got married to Erin, in a beautiful outdoor ceremony in her parents' back yard in Connecticut. Many of our friends from the Midwest made it back for the wedding. Erin and I went up to her grandparents' cabin up on ...Expand for more
Lake Damariscotta in Maine where we had a memorable honeymoon. Erin's sister Chrissie caught the bridal frisbee and got married a few years later.
I loved the people and the work at the University, but when a friend offered a chance to work on a startup with him (Copernican Solutions Inc.) I gave it a chance. For the next two years I explored the intricacies of document technology and ISO standards, learning how the technologies of the Web fit into the larger scheme of things.
In 1997 I accepted a position as Director of Internet Services for one of my oldest clients, Clareity Consulting. Clareity was an interesting couple of years, consulting to support the real estate industry (e.g. Realtor Associations and Multiple Listing Services). I enjoyed working from home, which I was able to do most days, but I also enjoyed travelling around the country and to Norway for some projects.
In 1999 I started a company called University.com with Bruce Peterson. It was a technology startup, with all the risks and craziness that entails, but we did some great work. We produced e-commerce enabled online learning management software and content. My responsibilities included oversight of product development, architecture of web application, programming, code review and optimization, as well as building and managing internal development teams and contractor relationships. The system is in use by companies such as Coldwell Banker, RE/MAX, Prudential, GMAC, and Century 21. We sold the business in 2001 to a company called Entreport, which hasn't done very much with such an auspicious beginning.
After a brief dip into the world of insurance, doing some project management on a 'Microsoft .NET' initiative at an insurance software company, I rejoined my old friends Gregg and Marie at Clareity. Working with smart folks, working for good clients ... this is a great thing.
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