Hello everyone,
First of all, I love this site, and wanted to give everyone a personal update (since everyone has asked
)
A little bit about me: I have worked in IT since 2008 after several years of not knowing what to do with my life. I dropped out of college in 2005 and joined the workforce full time, doing call center jobs and whatnot. In 2007, after being told that there was money to be made by working with computers, I decided that IT would be my calling. I got my lucky break in 2008, and began working at a Helpdesk job. I worked there for a few months until I was let go due to downsizing. A few months later, my father-in-law helped me get a IT instructor position, but was let go from that job due to the contract not being renewed. It was at this point where I felt hopeless. I had no degree, only a few entry-level certifications, and while looking at other jobs I realized that without a degree I would likely not get a position that I wanted. So in 2010 I decided to go back to school, and was lucky enough that my initial Helpdesk position was open. I spoke to the manager, who was and still is a good friend of mine, and I got back my old position. I worked the Desk full time while going to school full-time obtaining my Bachelor's in Computer Science. I worked there for 2 years, going to school and obtaining certs, before I got hired on to my current position as a Network Engineer. I have been here since 2012, and have enjoyed it ever since. I was able to finish my BS degree in early 2013, and quickly got into a Masters program for my MSIA, and am scheduled to graduate this December.
Now, I mention all of this to say that I received a job offer last week to work for the DOD. My new job will be a 5 minute drive to work, a 40% increase in pay, plenty of PTO, and a job that I could see myself at for the long haul. It will be in networking and security.
I wanted to show everyone my trajectory and that my path, just as many of you reading this, was not easy. But I am proof that hard work pays off. Thanks to everyone on this site for all the encouragement, and dedication to serving those that want to better the world of IT.
