I've worked in the IT industry for nearly 20 years now. That's a long time, but I love it, and here's why.
The Beginning
This is one of my favorite photos from my childhood. It's a photo of my younger sister, younger brother and I enjoying a game of "Wheel of Fortune" on the family Apple II. It's my favorite for two reasons: 1) my younger sister and younger brother are both incredibly awesome and very talented at what they do and 2) because it was the start of my passion for computer technology.We did more than just play "Wheel of Fortune" on this computer. We also played "Swashbuckler" (my personal favorite) and other games. Unfortunately, the Apple II didn't last long in our family. My parents had a family friend who built clone PCs, and they bought their first Windows-based computer from him. As far as I can remember, that was the end of our Apple days, and I wouldn't use another Apple product until 2003... two years after the first iPod went on sale (my first purchase was a PowerBook G4 that I picked up from my local CompUSA). The High School I attended had two computer labs: one filled with Apple IIc computers, and the other filled with IBM XT computers. The first computer class I took was as a senior, and I landed in the Windows-based class (go figure).
Although I don't remember anything about the class itself, I remember that it really intrigued me. So much so that my first major declared in college was Computer Science with an emphasis in programming.
It's About People
After two semesters, I changed to Computer Science with an emphasis in networking. I realized I didn't have the personality to write code all day. I love working with people. I love discovering what their challenges are, and helping them to find solutions using technology. It's amazingly empowering when I see those I work with really understand what technology can do for them, and then find ways to use it to make their lives better. It's not always easy, but it does happen. I thoroughly enjoy helping people get there because I know what it can do for them.
It's About Technology
Technology changes very quickly. More than any other industry in the world. What we are doing today won't be what we're doing next week. It really does change that rapidly. Sure, it can be difficult to keep up, but I like a good challenge. I talk with other "technologists" all the time, and it's painfully obvious when you run into someone who doesn't quite share the same level of passion and enthusiasm about technology that I do. I love what I do, and I love what technology can do for people.
