Like many first-generation college students, I rushed into university without much thought as to what I wanted to do. All I knew was that I had to make a lot of money. My parents pushed me to follow the medical route or the lawyer route.
Unfortunately, my passion was in technology, and I did not have much interest in becoming a doctor. When my mother got sick and I realized I could no longer afford to pay for college, I withdrew from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). I was at a loss for quite some time, until I received a call from someone at Year Up. They told me of this program that sounded too good to be true. It was a year-long program that paid ME to go to college. I did not care much for the pay but as soon as I heard IT, I was sold.
Now, I am working as an Associate Infrastructure Support Engineer at Rush University Medical Center where I support the organization providing technical support to the staff. On and Off, I still do work with the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health as a peer educator and part of our youth leadership council. I do work involving sexual health, identity, birth justice, and racial justice. I am an alum of Year Up - Chicago, where I was given the opportunity to get my foot in the door of a corporate company . I will continue to learn as much knowledge and skills in the Business/IT field as my career progresses and one day reach my goal to become a Computer Network Architect.
Associate Infrastructure Support Engineer
I recommend exploring careers in science and technology because it is a world of infinite possibilities! Technology is all around us and affects every aspect of our lives; working with technology, I feel empowered. I feel that it allows young women to be a voice and impact the world in ways they may not have thought was possible. The world of Science and technology is so vast, there is bound to be something for everyone. It's worth taking the time to explore!
