Jacob Stephens
IT Manager and Senior Infrastructure Engineer, IT, PA Office
When I Joined ETA & What I Love About Working Here
Professional Background
As a Senior Infrastructure Engineer at Educational Travel Adventures, I serve as a technical leader responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of our web applications and IT infrastructure. My expertise spans full-stack PHP development, database architecture, and system administration, with a focus on creating reliable, scalable solutions that support our mission of providing transformative travel experiences for students.
In my role, I develop and maintain custom web applications that power our operations, including payment processing systems, booking management platforms, and internal tools that streamline workflows across the organization. I work extensively with PHP frameworks, JavaScript, and modern web technologies to build responsive, user-friendly interfaces while ensuring robust backend functionality.
Beyond development, I oversee our cloud infrastructure and implement security best practices to protect our systems and data. My approach combines technical precision with practical problem-solving, always keeping the end-user experience at the forefront.
I’m passionate about leveraging technology to enhance educational travel, and I find great satisfaction in building systems that enable our team to focus on what matters most: creating memorable experiences for students around the world.
Fun Facts About Jacob
Interesting Facts
I’m a weightlifter who trains early mornings, enjoys baking sourdough bread, and practices social dancing including lindy hop, foxtrot, and salsa.
Favorite Place Traveled:
Canadian Rockies – particularly Banff National Park, for the vast, serene, and powerful environment (plus, that’s where she said yes!)
Favorite subject to study in school:
Philosophy and theology – they give direction
Most Recent Passport Stamp:
Canada.
Most unexpected moment while traveling:
While celebrating my birthday in Rabat, Morocco, I got together with some locals for mint tea. We had only met by happenstance a few days prior. Without any hint of what was coming, they surprised me with a beautiful tagine as a birthday gift – a touching gesture of hospitality that made the day unforgettable!
Window seat or aisle seat?
Window – to see the landscapes!
Dream destination (not yet visited):
Sheep ranch in New Zealand
Go-to travel snack:
Banana – a prepackaged whole food! (though gotta watch out for bruising)
One thing I hope students gain from traveling:
A broader perspective on the world and an understanding of different cultures, histories, experiences, and ways of life that will serve them throughout their lives.
