Why am I at MATC and how did I end up in the IT Networking program? Good question. When I was in high school I had no clue what I wanted to do. The only thing I did was mess around with programs that allowed me to make beats. I told my older sister this, that I didn't know what I wanted to do and that all I liked was music. She was the one who looked into it for me and found that MATC had a music program. I honestly didn't know going to school for something like that was possible. I was excited, the program looked interesting, so I applied, passed all my accuplacer tests and was in.
I was going for a Recording Technician certificate. Somehow along those two years I took classes that weren't really required for the certificate. That was my own fault for never going to a counselor or asking for help. I ended up taking classes like Music Theory because music instructors were saying how important it was to the students, most students had a major instrument though, I only wanted to do production. The class was brutal, I didn't pass. I believe that was the last semester I went to MATC before coming back. I didn't know what I was doing in the music program so I never signed up for classes the following semester. Not to mention that because of advancements in technology people could build their own studios within their own homes for affordable pricing. It would be tough to open a recording studio and make decent money, which is what I had decided I wanted to do. I was discouraged so I didn't go back. I had no intentions of going back to school either even though I would tell people that I did.
So why did I go back? I hated the job that I had at the time. It was brutal and every time I had to work I would be frustrated. I just didn't want to do that forever. In my year off of school, I spent some time time thinking about it and decided I wanted to do something with computers. I'm always on the computer, I have always been fascinated by computers and technology, I sometimes spend my time reading tech articles, and I like learning how things work. So I went to a counselor at MATC and told her that I wanted to do something with computers. She asked me what exactly I wanted to do with computers. I had no clue. I just wanted to learn basics about computers and fix them so I ended up in IT-Support.
Here's where the fun begins. I had a Windows 7 class with an instructor named Brian Kirsch. The first day of class everybody had to introduce themselves and say what program they were in. Everybody besides me and one other kid was in the IT-Networking program. I felt a little out place, what was I missing? As weeks went on it, I ended up talking to Brian about the program. He is an IT-Networking instructor at the school so that's his area of expertise. The networking program sounded interesting and he explained the networking program's courses help to get many more certifications that any other IT program. I was intrigued so I made the switch to the IT-Networking program and have not been disappointed. The instructors are extremely helpful and easy to approach. I won't say it's easy but I am excited each week to attend my networking classes, to learn something new, and to complete the labs that will help me gain experience. I know now that this is definitely what I want to do.
So in conclusion, that is how I ended up in the IT-Networking program at MATC. I am so glad to be here and hearing of the many success stories of MATC students, including high rates of receiving jobs for IT students, gets me pumped to attend classes everyday. I know exactly what I want to do and where I want to go. I love being in the field of technology where things are ever-changing. I know MATC will give me the tools I need to contribute and make a difference.
