Here you will find a brief overview of how I got here and what
I have done.
Feel free to reach out for more information.
-1990's : My Grandpa builds our family our first computer. I
immediately became obsessed with using it, figuring it out, and
learning as much as I could about it.
During this period, I found out how to view the raw HTML for websites and started tinkering writing my own using sites like Angelfire to host numerous pages so I could practice HTML.
During this period, I found out how to view the raw HTML for websites and started tinkering writing my own using sites like Angelfire to host numerous pages so I could practice HTML.
-Early 2000's : In high school I continued to dabble with HTML
until I was able to take a Computer Programming class that
taught me Visual C++ and I loved it.
After graduating High School in 2002 I started classes at a local Community College to get a Computer Programming Degree. At this time I was also working full time at a local restaurant to pay my way through school.
Being young and horrible with budgeting my money, by the time my first semester was completed and it was time to sign up for the next set of classes, I was unable to come up with the funds to cover the tuition. Since I was working in kitchens already I decided to keep working and figure out another way.
After graduating High School in 2002 I started classes at a local Community College to get a Computer Programming Degree. At this time I was also working full time at a local restaurant to pay my way through school.
Being young and horrible with budgeting my money, by the time my first semester was completed and it was time to sign up for the next set of classes, I was unable to come up with the funds to cover the tuition. Since I was working in kitchens already I decided to keep working and figure out another way.
-Mid to Late 2000's : After some time working I decided to Join
the United States Army. I gained Top Secret clearance and was
able to sign up to be an Information Systems Analyst, however a
serious injury ended up forcing me to come home.
This did not deter me from continuing to learn the things that I wanted to learn. I went back to work using my training to land a position with the NC Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer at the Maximum Security Facility in Raleigh, NC. When not working, I was at home still dabbling and learning new things as HTML evolved, including CSS and Javascript.
This did not deter me from continuing to learn the things that I wanted to learn. I went back to work using my training to land a position with the NC Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer at the Maximum Security Facility in Raleigh, NC. When not working, I was at home still dabbling and learning new things as HTML evolved, including CSS and Javascript.
-Late 2000's to Early 2010's : Life went on and my career was
not going as I had planned; working full time in kitchens
having nothing to do with computers or technology. But at home
was a different story.
By this time, I had built quite a few of my own PC's, a passion that I got from my Grandfather and never faded. I had also learned how to use a number of softwares to create websites including Photoshop for graphics, as well as customizing MySpace pages for my friends using HTML to modify the profile's appearance.
I also got interested in hardware modification and customization, and at one point created a fully enclosed fish tank that was made from the shell of a G3 Mac. I do not take credit for this idea, but I loved the thought of it so much I had to have one for myself.
By this time, I had built quite a few of my own PC's, a passion that I got from my Grandfather and never faded. I had also learned how to use a number of softwares to create websites including Photoshop for graphics, as well as customizing MySpace pages for my friends using HTML to modify the profile's appearance.
I also got interested in hardware modification and customization, and at one point created a fully enclosed fish tank that was made from the shell of a G3 Mac. I do not take credit for this idea, but I loved the thought of it so much I had to have one for myself.
-Mid 2010's to Now : Lots of things have happened over the
years. Jobs came and went but I was still in the Food Service
Industry.
While this was not my desired career, I took pride in what I was doing and worked my way up to a Chef title working in Corporate Dining for an International Hospitality Company, Compass Group. As much as I enjoyed this line of work, it was not what I wanted for myself and wanted to make a move before it was "too late".
I started by switching things up and moving out of Corporate Dining and transitioned into working for a local Farm operating their Food Truck. This gave me more free time while still bringing in the bill money. It also put me in a more relaxed and enjoyable environment, which is always good.
This went on for some time, then it happened. Covid-19.
After the initial shock of what was happening and getting laid-off like so many others, I realized that this could be a blessing in disguise. This extra time at home gave me the opportunity to get online consistantly and take courses and learn things I needed to know to change fields and get into IT in some way.
While this was not my desired career, I took pride in what I was doing and worked my way up to a Chef title working in Corporate Dining for an International Hospitality Company, Compass Group. As much as I enjoyed this line of work, it was not what I wanted for myself and wanted to make a move before it was "too late".
I started by switching things up and moving out of Corporate Dining and transitioned into working for a local Farm operating their Food Truck. This gave me more free time while still bringing in the bill money. It also put me in a more relaxed and enjoyable environment, which is always good.
This went on for some time, then it happened. Covid-19.
After the initial shock of what was happening and getting laid-off like so many others, I realized that this could be a blessing in disguise. This extra time at home gave me the opportunity to get online consistantly and take courses and learn things I needed to know to change fields and get into IT in some way.
FreeCodeCamp.com
---------------
I started looking around online and found out that FCC offered a course on Responsive Web Design, which I promptly signed up for and completed in June of 2020.
After this, I dove into the bottomless pit that is YouTube and started learning all kinds of different things, including Raspberry Pi projects, Penetration Testing, and Privacy. I also found that FEMA offered courses too, so I completed a few of them as well.
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I started looking around online and found out that FCC offered a course on Responsive Web Design, which I promptly signed up for and completed in June of 2020.
After this, I dove into the bottomless pit that is YouTube and started learning all kinds of different things, including Raspberry Pi projects, Penetration Testing, and Privacy. I also found that FEMA offered courses too, so I completed a few of them as well.
Throughout this time I was applying for jobs in the field I
wanted to be in. Anything that was IT related that was an entry
level position so I could get my foot in the door. Up to this
point, it was becoming difficult because I had no actual
documented experience.
Transcom
---------------
I got hired on at Transcom in November of 2020. I was assigned to work their Apple contract, which provides AppleCare+ support to Apple customers. While I technically worked for a 3rd party, we reported to Apple directly with training and QA being handled by Apple to ensure the level of service met their expectations. Within 1 year, I had moved up to a Tier 2 Senior iOS/Mac+ Advisor position, handling escalation calls and troubleshooting difficult customer hardware and software issues.
I will be the first to tell you, I am not an Apple product user. But that did not stop me from performing the job to the best of my ability. After all, I was finally working on a computer, so I could not complain too much. However, after a solid year of this, I was not happy doing this type of work and started looking for other opportunities.
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I got hired on at Transcom in November of 2020. I was assigned to work their Apple contract, which provides AppleCare+ support to Apple customers. While I technically worked for a 3rd party, we reported to Apple directly with training and QA being handled by Apple to ensure the level of service met their expectations. Within 1 year, I had moved up to a Tier 2 Senior iOS/Mac+ Advisor position, handling escalation calls and troubleshooting difficult customer hardware and software issues.
I will be the first to tell you, I am not an Apple product user. But that did not stop me from performing the job to the best of my ability. After all, I was finally working on a computer, so I could not complain too much. However, after a solid year of this, I was not happy doing this type of work and started looking for other opportunities.
Walmart
---------------
In late 2021 a close family friend referred me to apply where she worked, as she thought I would be a good fit. The job was with Walmart as a Resolution Coordinator III. I quickly applied and got the job in January of 2022.
While I am only starting my time at Walmart, I very much enjoy the work I am doing and the people I work with, and I have learned so much in the short time I have been here. I am looking foward to seeing what I can learn here and the opportunities they can offer me to move forward in my career.
---------------
In late 2021 a close family friend referred me to apply where she worked, as she thought I would be a good fit. The job was with Walmart as a Resolution Coordinator III. I quickly applied and got the job in January of 2022.
While I am only starting my time at Walmart, I very much enjoy the work I am doing and the people I work with, and I have learned so much in the short time I have been here. I am looking foward to seeing what I can learn here and the opportunities they can offer me to move forward in my career.