Organizer Q&A: Emily Buonauro

WordCamp Sacramento Emily Buonauro

This is the seventh post in a series to help you get to know our WordCamp Sacramento organizers a little better!

So far, we have introduced you to Bill Mead, Brian Bourn, Jake Goldman, Heather Hogan, Jennifer Bourn, and Joe Boydston. Today we’re introducing you to Emily Buonauro. Be sure to give Emily at shout out on Twitter and don’t forget to use our hashtag #wcsac.

Get To Know Emily

I am a full time student, a part time worker, and a full time cat mom. I love coffee, burritos, and bright colored highlighters. I am currently attending The Art Institute of California – Sacramento as a Graphic & Web Design major. Although I have only recently begun working with WordPress, I love it as a content management system. The interface is easy to use for both the developer and the client, and bridging that gap is really important.

WordPress Q&A With Emily

Why WordPress? Why do you use it?

WordPress is a great content management system, it’s easy to learn and easy to teach the client and it is highly customizable. I’ve found myself using it many times this quarter because I’ve been picking up more real clients and I’ve found most of them work with WordPress or want to switch to WordPress. Knowing how to use WordPress has been integral in reaching these new clients and networking with more people, as well as honing my own skills, as I get closer to graduating.

What is your favorite thing/feature in WordPress?

My favorite thing about WordPress is its media organization. I can’t tell you how many issues I’ve had with file management, particularly with figuring out where I put images or other similar files. It’s frustrating to create a website then remember at the end that you moved all the images to another folder and need to fix those links. I also love the simplicity of WordPress, it’s easy to use, easy to digest, and easy to teach to new people. Generally the interface makes sense and requires little to know instruction, which is a lifesaver when I’m working with clients.

Share 1-2 plugins you use often and think people need to know about.

I have only begun working with WordPress, but here are some plugins I’ve found pretty interesting so far:

  • Jetpack
  • Contact Form 7

How has the community made a difference for you or influenced you?

I am still a very new member of this community, I’ve only begun attending the WordPress Meet Up group within the last few months. That said I love learning new things from new and different sources. I’ve had the opportunity to attend CMNDSHFT as well; I’ve found the community to be really welcoming and helpful. I’ve really focused on my studies on typography, reaching out to real clients (mostly non-profits at this point), and trying to keep myself involved in the community wherever possible.

What makes Sacramento awesome? Why should people be excited to come to Sacramento for WordCamp?

A couple quarters ago I remember asking my academic director if I should stay in Sacramento after I graduate or go to the bay area. He told me that Sacramento is like a big little town, it’s big enough where there’s still plenty of work but small enough where most people know each other. Since slowly coming into the Sacramento-scene I must say I agree with him. Sacramento doesn’t sound glamorous, perhaps not compared to San Francisco but it’s welcoming, friendly, and it seems like more and more people are coming to that conclusion as well.