It’s been quite sometime since I’ve made a blog post. I’ve made it to five months without alcohol. I’ve managed to create a webcomic site and completed one of my art goals for this year. But more importantly, I finally have a pathway into the tech industry after many years. My Journey through Tech, is finally beginning with NPowerCanada’s Junior IT Analyst bootcamp. Thanks to the community employment services from my last prgram, I was able to find out about this wonderful opportunity. To keep myself motivated through this program, I’m going to journal what I learn so here it goes…..I’m still awkward behind a keyboard.
Morning Arrival
Finally started the programme today! I arrived on time and there already appears to be some of my cohort. It seems like a small post so far. From some of the background chatter, it appears there’s going to be a significant hands on portion to A+ certification, I’ll probably have to review that later.
So far the, the first couple of days are going to be admin and setting up online accounts for the class.It’s kind of common sense stuff of treating our colleagues as adults. So don’t be an asshole and if you see someone being an asshole, call it out. Not a problem.
At this point we got to know our group mates.I’m the only male in my group but I find it refreshing since the trade course , aside from the excellent math professor and community emplyment services team,there were no women present, which always bothered me.
My Groupmates
One girl and here family are from Somalia. Two were from Pakistan, one perviously studied Electrical Engineering and another from the financial sector. The last memebr was a permenant resident from Nepal. I felt encouraged, becasue I always found it easier to get along with females growing up amd there’s no drama when collaborating.
My Equipment
Another plus is that we get a laptop assigned to us. Granted it’s for on campus use but still great all the same. Though the machines are refurbished,they’re far more powerful than my ten year old hp that I canniballzed from my brother.But what really sold me is when I started poking around with the programs they installed.
They had VMware with a Kali Linux image and Cisco Packet Tracer…neat! I can practice my pen testing skills during breaks.
Networking opportunities
Another thins that stood out was that the potential employers would be coming in to scout us as potential hires.So not only am I getting technical skills, I’m also gaining soft skills and networking opportunities.
Final Thoughts and Reflection
In my mind this kind of feels like an apprenticeship model that I’ve reearched about in Europe. The only difference here is that these apprenticeships are extended to more the business and operations activities. In Canada, the focus is always exclusively focuse on construction, industrial or service industries solely.They’re always advertising a shortage of people with these skills. What they don’t advertise is that travel, tool expenses, block releases of training and nepotism are all serious barriers to finding people who might consider these careers.My father’s cancer diagnosis was also a factor(Fortunately he’s responded to treatment and there seems to be remission.)
At least in the technology sector, there’s a far more equitable entry field qithout sacrificing my physical an mental well being.
End of Journal entry
More to follow in the week in this format