Why I'm at MATC

Growing up I could've never imagined that one day I would be studying to receive a degree in networking. Throughout high school I was steadfast on my track to become a sports journalist wanting to do whatever it took. Once I graduated High School I enrolled into the journalism program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Unbeknownst to me that was my first mistake. Every summer during high school I attended a pre-college program called the PEOPLE (Pre-College Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence) program. Through this program I would have had a full ride to the University of Madison something a lot of people would kill for but me I just threw this opportunity away.

I was scared to leave home, leave my family, and my friends. I grew up predominantly around other African-Americans I was scared to go somewhere where I wouldn't see another face like mine. To this very day I still regret not making the choice to attend especially when my friend and journalism partner Earl Arms now covers sports for WISN 12 with that degree he obtained through the university of Wisconsin-Madison. I still remember the day I first seen him on TV I broke down crying because I felt like a failure. They say time heals all wounds but I don't know if that one can ever be truly mended.

Over the past six years (I'm 28 now) I changed so much from the kid I once was. I was starting to learn to be myself and not what the people around me thought was cool. With some of the interests I have now I would be the laughing stock for my friends when I was growing up. Today you can catch me watching Anime (Only subtitled English voice actors suck!), playing JRPGs, building my own PC's so I can play games in glorious 1080p 60 FPS(Master Race FTW), and One Republic is one of my favorite bands. Yes people change and if I was to reach my destiny I had to grow up.

I've only had three jobs my whole life but have gained a wealth of experience from them. As a young adult I worked at Jewel-Osco, early twenties I worked at Walgreens even making it up to assistant manager, and the last three years I was an employee at FIS. Walgreen's was a place I loved my hard work was being rewarded with promotions. As an assistant manager I loved the responsibility that was on my shoulders and I thought I found my calling in life. That was until one morning I overslept and opened the store late (5 mins late to be exact). The next couple of day went by and I was called in by my store manager who then put me suspension for opening the store late. Weeks went by and no one would tell me what was going on or whether I had a job to even come back to. Almost a month later they called me in and fired me and again my emotions ran wild and I cried because of how much blood, sweat, and tears I gave that company.

What does this have to do with me being at MATC you may ask? All of my life’s actions have shaped my future and is the reason I’m there. I want a career not a job and I love to learn so the lifelong learning that takes place in IT does not scare me at all. When I was laid off from FIS I was given a chance to attend school at no cost to me I jumped at the opportunity to make up for past mistakes. I also want my story to inspire other young adults in that no matter if you fail or make mistakes there will always be an opportunity for redemption.