Girl in IT

It’s been a while.  I’m working hard, haven’t missed a beat since graduation.  I’m now full-time for an incredible company.  Thanks Year Up!

President Obama visits the DC site of Year Up.

Months after my last post I have reached the moment in my life I have been waiting for - I crossed the stage, got my certificate in the Fundamentals in Technical Support, and descended the stairs as an Alumnus of Year Up.

There is nothing quite like seeing the last year of your life summed up in one accomplishment.  I suddenly realize that your college graduation, a full four times the time I put in, must be one of the greatest moments of your life.  

I am taking an active role in Year Up’s alumni association - now that I have gotten a full time job in something so much more rewarding than entry level grunt work I want to help Year Up gain visibility and grow to serve a larger student body.

This is an amazing program.  It’s free for students, they pay you, you get college credits, you get a six month corporate internship…what is there to loose?  

All you have to do is be willing to put in the effort.

Now I’m studying basic computer networking.  Here’s a great intro to the subject.

Now not only can I identify the different types of primary memory used in a computer, but I can find how much is in a given system and how much it actually needs to run better.  I’ve discovered a great appreciation for colour coding, a skill computer engineers apparently never learn, as well as the ability to live without it.

I’m enjoying rooting around the insides of computers, with a feeling of confidence and security what’s more.  I’m still not allowed to open the desktop here at home, but I’ve opened up the ones at school.  And they’ve turned back on again afterwards. 

Success!

Class Four, Bay Area

This is a student from San Francisco’s third class.  He’s in his internship now.

Love this one.

Hello, and isn’t Friday afternoon your favorite part of the week?! 

This week has been huge for me.  Not only have I started the next Technology class in the sequence, but I’ve started a class that teaches the basics of programming.  I’m barely able to identify Atomic and Compound expressions so far, but hey, one class ago I couldn’t even do that.  The new text does weigh just about as much as I do, but…

Then there’s the fact that I’m drafting a speech to follow the Walk for Opportunity.  That’s why I’m so eager to let you know about it, I’m not demanding donations, but could you join us?  Locations and times are easily Googled, and the walk is this coming Thursday.

And I just found out that I’m employee of the month at my other job.  I’m feeling so overwhelmed in recognition!

Year Up is holding the Walk for Opportunity across the nation on May 13th.

We’re trying to raise awareness of the opportunity divide that youth face today.  We have difficulty entering the work force, it’s a fact.  This walk is to draw attention to the fact that there are organisations that are working to close the Divide.

Please come out and support us if you live in Boston, DC, New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, or Providence.  Donations would, of course, be greatly appreciated.

Ever really gotten the scope of the thing?

I’m learning the basics of everything computers and I’ve discovered something about myself—I love them.  Social networking sites can add a lot of spice to your life if you don’t get bogged down in them, and a working knowledge of computers looks great on a resume.  In two months I’ve gained a decent understanding of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint!  Three months ago I was working retail, unable to unlock the Ivory tower.

Thismorning I really wanted to crush my alarm clock.

I did manage to make my bus, and everything has gone well since then.  After and interesting presentation from a classmate in Business Communications we switched to today’s Tech class.  I have the only job in the universe where you’re encouraged to get on social networking sites during the day!

Proud Year Up student.