When Technology Was Just a Hobby
It’s strange looking back — I always loved technology, but I never had the mindset to truly dive deep. I had no motivation to use my GI Bill. I thought I’d just pass it down to my kids one day.
That mindset changed in a way I never expected.
The Injury That Changed Everything
While bench pressing one day, I tore my pectoral muscle. The recovery took over a year, and it crushed more than just my physical ability — it made my job in telecommunications nearly impossible.
Telecom was a tough field. Most days meant climbing ladders, crawling under trailer homes, wrestling through old attics, or throwing a 20-foot ladder over my shoulder. With my injury, I couldn’t keep up.
Eventually, I was let go. It was a blow to my confidence. I asked myself: What’s next?
The Call That Started It All
The answer came with a phone call — an opportunity to attend a local technical college.
I enrolled in a Computer Maintenance program, earning my first associate degree. Those first 18 months were eye-opening. I couldn’t believe how much I was learning, and for the first time, I wanted to keep pushing forward.
The Start of My Home Lab
Around the same time, I started building my home lab. I tore apart old computers, rebuilt them, and spent hours installing and experimenting with different operating systems.
That’s when I discovered Linux.
Linux became my favorite platform, and trying new projects quickly turned into a full-time hobby.
A New Path: Cybersecurity
During one class, an instructor pulled me aside and said, “You’ve got great potential in cybersecurity.”
That advice lit a spark. I enrolled in another associate degree program, this time focused on cybersecurity.
I found myself excelling — not only in my coursework but also in helping younger students who were just starting out. I built strong connections and discovered how much I enjoyed supporting others.
My First Cybersecurity Internship
In my Python course, an instructor recommended me for an internship at a local cybersecurity company. I applied, was accepted, and suddenly I was inside a SOC as an analyst intern.
It was everything I had hoped for — hands-on technologies, exposure to real-world threats, and the freedom to learn and build projects.
From One Degree to Many
By the time I finished my cybersecurity degree, I decided to keep going. Networking felt like a natural extension, and I only needed a handful of extra classes to complete that degree too.
Soon, I was holding three associate degrees, multiple CompTIA certifications, and a full-time SOC analyst role.
From Doubt to a Bachelor’s Degree
I proved myself wrong. I had once believed college wasn’t for me — but here I was, thriving in cybersecurity.
I didn’t stop there. I went on to pursue my Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity while continuing to grow my certification stack.
Lessons Learned
This journey taught me a few powerful lessons:
- Don’t doubt yourself. Even if you think college, certifications, or a career change isn’t for you — you can surprise yourself.
- Love what you learn. Passion makes the hard days worth it.
- Stay open to growth. If I had stayed closed-minded, I never would have discovered my path in cybersecurity.
From injury to bachelor’s, from self-doubt to a cybersecurity professional — my story is proof that setbacks can become the foundation of success.
✅ Call to Action:
Have you ever faced a setback that turned into an opportunity? Share your story in the comments — you never know who you might inspire.