Back in 2002, I graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Business Information Technology and a specialization in electronic commerce. It was a difficult time to be coming out of college with an IT degree given the recent dot-com bubble bust. While I was searching for full-time work, I started this business to help pay bills and get some credible real world experience. I also earned my A+ certification for hardware repair and my Microsoft Certified Professional cert for Windows 2000.
In early 2003, I landed a job at Duke University as a computer technician. Within a year, I was certified on all of the hardware supported by Duke and I was the most versatile on my team. I fixed Macs, I fixed Dell and IBM PC’s and I rebuilt HP printers. I solved software bugs and did all sorts of on-site work for the various Duke departments. I obtained my Network+ certification while at Duke in addition to my certifications from Apple, Dell, HP, IBM and Lenovo.
In 2006, I took a position at UNC as a network administrator. I streamlined operations and virtualized servers. I set up new ways of managing systems. I learned the ins and outs of unix and completed my Linux+ certification. I also finished up all the requirements for my Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator credentials for Windows Server 2003.
In early 2010, I was promoted to IT director. I manage a team of five full-time employees and several student workers. In 2011 I passed the CISSP exam for information security. I steer the IT operation of my unit and manage the IT spending and budget. It’s a demanding position and I give it my full attention every day. If you call me during normal business hours, I’m likely not going to get back to you until I’ve tied up all the loose ends and left the office for the night.
All this time I never let go of my consulting gig – I’ve done it for close to ten years now. The income helps with a wife in pharmacy school and a child in daycare. Do I plan on giving it up? I’ll likely scale back when I decide to pursue an MBA, but I don’t anticipate letting go of my consulting business in the immediate future.
When I’m not working, I spend my time with my wife, child and two golden retrievers.
