Siftie Spotlight: Freda Kreitzer, IT Specialist

This is part of a monthly series in which we get to know Sifties.

Freda Kreitzer is our IT Specialist and has been with Sift Science for 10 months. If she could eat just one food for the rest of her life, it would be a tie between Thai and Mexican food. Making the choice between the two cuisines is too hard!

What three traits define you?

1. Committed to putting Sift’s infrastructure on a solid IT foundation
2. Teamwork makes the dream work – there is no “I” in “IT” 😉
3. Love what you do. Every day is an opportunity to feel gratitude

What skill would you love to learn?

Sight singing and freestyle rapping (I know, those are two skills). Sight singing is being able to read music without ever hearing it or knowing what the piece is. I think both would be useful skills because they teach you how to perform on the fly and under pressure, which makes you more confident, which is the ultimate goal. Real confidence is valuable.

What was your first job?

When I was in middle school I was a cafeteria cashier. It was terrible. I got free lunch, but those were very grouchy lunch ladies. I think the other kids thought it was weird and that I was a nerd. Shocking, I know.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I’m in choir. I was in UC Berkeley’s University Chorus – I joined my senior year of college – and now I’m in alumni chorus. We’re performing Mozart’s Requiem next month, which is one of my favorites. Singing feels like a balance of logic and emotion; part of why I love it is being able to really feel the music and performing simultaneously with others. I’ve read studies that claim that choir members’ hearts sync up while they warm up together. I love connecting with a large group of people and performing a piece for others to enjoy. It’s a great feeling.

What’s your favorite video game of all time?

It’s probably going to be something on the Super Nintendo. I’m going old school with this one.

This question required a lot of back and forth discussion between us, as Freda worked through whether Super Mario Bros. 3 or Super Mario World was her favorite.

Freda: Which one was the one on the Super Nintendo?

Angela: Super Mario World.

Freda: Is that the one where he’s got a raccoon tail?

Angela: No, that’s Mario 3, with the Tanooki Suit and the Frog Suit. In Mario World he’s got the yellow cape and can ride Yoshi.

Freda: [Referring to Super Mario Bros. 3] Oh yeah, and there’s the angry sun, and the different worlds you can go to.

Angela: Yeah, and the whistles that can take you there, and the Koopa Kids.

Freda: Ugh, so good… Mario World is so good, too. All the secrets!

Angela: Yeah, it seems like a really straightforward game, but as you’re playing you’re thinking things like, “Why does it seem like there should be blocks in these spaces?” It’s got a lot of replay value. And then you start finding all the Switch Palaces. And then there’s the secrets in the ghost houses.

Freda: Yes! Which not everyone knows about! And then there’s the super secret world you can go to –

Angela: Yesss, the Special Zone, with, like, the Mondo stage.

Freda: You know what? I think my favorite has to be Super Mario World. It’s just SO good. Everything.