As a child who grew up in a military family and having lived in nine different states, Associate Professor Terrance August was used to change. So, as a professor of Innovation, Technology and Operations Management, his familiarity with adaptation has come in handy to his ever-changing academic discipline of interest.
His research focuses on the level of security associated with software as a result of decision-making by individuals and larger firms.
“Think of your Microsoft Windows software for example,” August said. “Your risk with the software not only involves how much Microsoft invests in security, but also the patching decisions made by all of the other users.”
August said he became interested in the field during his time working within the Brita division of the manufacturing company Clorox, as he was frequently involved in the operations portion of the division. Afterwards, his role as a software engineer at a startup allowed him to combine his experiences while pursuing a Ph.D. of operations, information and technology at Stanford.
While his career interests did not initially begin in academia, August said he began to appreciate the freedom it gave him while working toward the end of his Ph.D.
“It was really a sense of having control over my projects and how I spent my energy that was most important to me,” August said.
In addition to his time as an associate professor at the Rady School of Management, August also teaches at the Korean University Business School located in Seoul, South Korea.
“It’s a win for me on several fronts in being able to teach the MS and Ph.D. students there,” August said. “I also have a lot of research colleagues over there.”
Aside from his academic career, August previously consulted for several companies, including Honeywell, an American conglomerate, which designs aerospace systems, Herbalife, a marketing corporation that sells dietary supplements, and Time Warner.
August said he chose to come to the Rady School because of the startup business environment of the school, which emphasizes innovation and entrepreneurship.
“I was also really influenced by Dean Sullivan’s vision for the school,” August said. “I found his vision for the school quite compelling. Also, who wouldn’t want to come to an institution of UC San Diego’s caliber?”
Outside of work, August likes to spend time with his wife and two sons. He is also an avid golf player and basketball fan.