I graduated from High School back in 1999. I started attending University while working a 3rd shift job at UPS. UPS paid the tuition and I took the classes half asleep. I was about to start my 4th semester when I realized I hated what I was studying, sociology, and couldn't afford books. I decided to take that semester off and do some soul-searching.
Times got even tougher that spring, my Dad couldn't hold employment, I took a second full-time job working at McDonald's as a Manager. So what did I do?
I joined the Air Force. I spent six years serving in the USAF and I'm proud of the time I served, but I didn't like the job. I could have retrained into another career field, but honestly I felt it was time to go home. My Dad had been diagnosed with dimensia and my wife was home-sick as well.
Last fall we loaded up the car and moved back home and I enrolled in classes. This time I knew what I wanted to study and what I enjoyed.
The Air Force taught me many important lessons and one of them was this. No matter what, make sure that the job you do every day is a job you enjoy. If you enjoy what you do you will perform well at that job. You will take interest in it, make things better and it will show.
I've been fiddling with computers for years now, building my own since I graduated from high school. Unfortunately it took me to long to figure it out.
Last fall I started classes at a local community college. I could have gone to a Major University in the area, but they didn't offer the classes or training that I wanted. This school was the only one in the area offering Cisco training and I knew that I could continue on to a 4 year institution once I finished my Associates. One of my instructors last fall turned out to be the Director of IT(trust me I didn't know until the end of the semester) here at the college. He saw how well I did and my professionalism. The next semester he hired me into the department part-time. At the time I did not hold any certifications or even a degree. I was given the dirt jobs that no one wanted to do. I didn't care, this work was much better than lifting boxes at UPS or turning a wrench on an aircraft while covered in hydraulic fluid. I worked hard and didn't even realize how much I was getting done. My boss took note, and when a full-time position opened up he offered me the job. That was back in June and at that time I had my A+ and Network+ certifications.
I'm very fortunate to have this job and I know it. This is a competitive field and I was in the right place at the right time, but it was more than that. I believe that because I really enjoy what I do, it shows. It shows in my quality of work, attention to detail, and performance.
So what is my tip? Enjoy what you do, and whatever it is keep going at it. Let your enthusiasm show and take interest in what you do. I may have impressed my current boss as a student but it was about 5 months after his class that I was offered a job. Patience is key!
Today I am one semester away from graduating with my associates. I'm blessed and I won't forget that. I just finished up my Linux+ certification yesterday. Currently I'm working on my CCNA and Security+ certifications.
When it comes to seeking certifications I think the same thing is true. If you enjoy what you study you will have an easier time focusing on and retaining the information.
Good luck to everyone searching and those seeking continued education. I hope you ENJOY it .
