I was hired in February of last year as a customer service representative for a small IT company, after moving a thousand miles from everyone and everything I knew against my will and having no previous work experience. I started by answering phones and trying to get an idea of what to do. One month later, I had earned my CCENT under self study. This caused me to be promoted to a network operations technician.

I proceeded to earn my CCNA R/S in September, after taking some time to familiarize myself with the clients and some basic IT knowledge. This led to another raise and some more responsibilities, as well as some shift changes and whatnot. I only work four days a week now, Thurs-Sun.

I work alone on my shifts. I deal with users, remote network and server management, and handle the SCCM patching for over 2500 devices for one of our clients. I'm also back in school full-time for a B.S. in IT Security and have plans to take my CompTIA A+ exams later this month. As a matter of fact, last night one of our clients had a crisis situation. I worked a 15 hour shift, went home and slept for an hour, and went back to work. Out of the past 24 hours, I have worked for 23, and remain on the clock for a few more.

Outside of an actual work environment? I listen to music, I try to read, I use the tools at my disposal. I try to go to Lodge meetings, but more often than not my other obligations get in the way. I chat online with distant friends and try to make some new ones. I feel like a productive member of society and don't think I'd choose a different career, or a different lifestyle. It gets lonely at times, and there are nights I can't quite sleep, daydreaming about how everything could have gone differently - but I wouldn't trade this life, or my choices, for the world.