My First Month At A Per Scholas: My Journey Into IT Support

My First Month at Per Scholas: A Journey into IT Support 

Introduction 

Well hello! My name is Amanda Suggs, and I recently embarked on an exciting journey to pivot into the IT and cybersecurity field. As someone with a diverse background in cosmetology, art, fashion, and customer satisfaction, diving into the world of IT has been both a challenging and rewarding adventure. I chose the IT Support program at Per Scholas, a renowned and well-respected organization dedicated to providing tuition-free IT training to underrepresented communities. Here’s a glimpse into my first month in the program. 

About Per Scholas 

For those who might not be familiar, Per Scholas is a national nonprofit that offers free technical training in fields such as IT, software engineering, cybersecurity, and other pathways to help individuals from undeserved communities gain the skills needed for a career in tech. Their mission “is to advance economic equity through rigorous training for tech careers and to connect skilled talent to leading businesses.” The IT Support program, however, is designed to equip students with the essential skills needed for entry-level IT positions, covering a range of topics from hardware and software to networking and cybersecurity basics. 

First Impressions 

Starting the program was both exhilarating and a bit nerve-wracking. I had high expectations but did not know exactly what to expect as I come from a completely different career field. I am so grateful to say that I have had an amazing experience that has far exceeded my expectations. From day one, the atmosphere was welcoming, and the instructors were incredibly knowledgeable, approachable, and supportive. It was clear that this was a place where I could thrive and grow. Orientation was my first day at the facility and my introduction to the staff and learners. It felt a bit overwhelming because of all the information about the program and their expectations of the learners.  I was a bit concerned about whether I’d be able to live up to their expectations of me as their guidelines and policies are strict.  

Learning Experience 

The first month was packed with valuable information and hands-on practice. We began with the basics of computer hardware, gradually moving on to more complex topics like networking and troubleshooting. We covered quite a lot of information in a short amount of time. I personally discovered that I really enjoy troubleshooting printers, cloud computing, and virtualization. I also discovered that I do not like ports.... AT ALL! The program, however, is structured to provide a balanced mix of theory and practical application, which is perfect for someone like me who learns best by doing and experiencing things in real time. The labs and projects allowed me to apply what I had learned in real-world scenarios, making the concepts more tangible and easier to understand. 

Challenges and Triumphs 

Of course, no learning journey is without its challenges, and the Lord knows I had multiple. A few of the biggest hurdles that I faced were getting accustomed to the technical jargon (i.e. acronyms) and the pace of the program. However, with my dedication, persistence, and the support of my instructors, family, and peers, I was able to overcome these obstacles. A major triumph for me was successfully troubleshooting a network issue within a virtual machine during one of our virtual lab sessions. I also passed all my exams, most of which on the first try! That was a huge confidence booster and a testament to how much I had already learned in just a few weeks. I did, however, find myself dealing with imposter syndrome as I prepped for the hardware portion of my CompTIA A+ exam. I questioned how I even got that far in the program because I really struggled with information retention (or so I thought) most of which was memorizing those darn ports. However, after speaking with one of my awesome instructors (Michael) I felt a bit better and that my fears of failing the exam were natural. On another occasion my instructor Alicia shared with me some of her experiences with taking her certification exams and how failing an exam is not the end of the world. As simple of a concept as that might be, hearing her say that was honestly so eye-opening and it felt like something finally “clicked” for me. I consider myself a “recovering perfectionist” so it made my life so much easier, and I felt like I could relax sightly. All this to say, I have been so supported and have felt so much care from the staff at Per Scholas, and I have countless stories about how they have supported me. I am just so grateful for the entire staff and my amazing peers. Everyone has made this journey so much more enjoyable! 

Community and Support 

One of the standout aspects of Per Scholas is the sense of community. The instructors are not only experts in their fields but also genuinely invested in our success. My peers and I all come from truly diverse backgrounds, but we all respect and support each other in our respective learning journeys. Another remarkable thing is, Per Scholas provides various resources, including career coaching and professional development classes, which have been invaluable as I prepare to enter the IT job market. My instructor Daniel has been such a cheerleader and an amazing editing eye while working on my elevator pitch as well as my resume.  

Reflections and Future Goals 

Reflecting on my first month, I’m amazed at how much I’ve grown both personally and professionally. The skills and knowledge I’ve gained have already had a profound impact on my confidence and career aspirations. Moving forward, I’m excited to dive deeper into the curriculum, particularly in areas like software, and security which align with my long-term career goals. 

Conclusion 

My first month at Per Scholas has been a transformative experience (to say the least). I’ve learned so much, met incredible people, and taken significant steps towards a career in IT. If you’re considering a career in tech and are looking for a supportive, high-quality training, I HIGHLY recommend Per Scholas. If you have any questions about my experience or want to share yours, please feel free to reach out as I’d be most interested in sharing! Stay tuned for more updates as I continue this exciting journey!