Tell us a little more about what you do now.
I’m a Linux system administrator working for a company that supports a multinational client. Our client has data centers located all around the world, from the United States to Australia.
How did you get into the IT industry? What brought you to Yellow Tail Tech?
I was a tech and IT enthusiast since I could remember. I was following the news, I was looking into every single new processor or motherboard or new laptop, this kind of thing. That was what I considered myself before working in IT.
The biggest problem and the biggest struggle I had in landing a job in IT was the lack of mentorship or information that could lead me to the career path I wanted. I had been struggling for maybe seven or eight years, working in jobs that were kind of IT-slash-retail, like selling laptops and mobile phones. But that didn’t make me feel satisfied.
I didn’t consider myself an IT professional, even though I had a ton of information about different things that weren’t necessarily useful.
I ended up working with a coworker whose main job was as a Linux System Administrator for the government. This was about two years ago. He told me, “Zee, if you’re looking for a professional job and want to be in IT, you should join Yellow Tail Tech.”
I only knew Linux by name. I knew it was an operating system like Windows and that it was used on servers. Being a tech enthusiast for me was mostly about installing my printer or fixing small Windows issues using YouTube.
I started studying Linux more and diving into what it was. I wanted to understand what being a system administrator meant. Eventually, I met Juvie. I scheduled a time to meet him, and he started telling me the basics about Linux and what I needed to think about as a Linux admin.
And I just said, “Okay, where are the papers? Let me sign. I’ve wasted enough time.”
I remember going back home that day, and Juvie was like, “I was trying to present this to him, and he was just like, I’m ready.” He told my wife that he thought I was going to make it because I had the right attitude and commitment.
What I want to say is that because I know there are lots of people like me out there who think they know what they want, and end up learning a ton of things that aren’t useful and get more confused, it’s important to figure out what you want to do first.
Before you learn anything, figure that out. Spending time, money, and energy learning something that doesn’t end up working for you will just burn you out. That was my story.
The reason I was eager to start was that I had already been through the hard part. I’d learned 20 to 30 different types of software in IT and development, but none of them helped me land the job I wanted.
What Juvie told me was what I had been feeling but couldn’t articulate: “You need to know what you want to do. With Yellow Tail Tech, we’ll tell you what you need to learn, how to pass the test, and how to land the job.”
That was life-changing for me. 2020 wasn’t a good year for many people, but it changed my life. I can’t complain.
You broke a record at Yellow Tail Tech. Can you tell us about that?
I passed the certification and got a job while I was still going through my internship, within four business days. That’s a record!
It was a dream. I’m still living in my dream.
Tell us about becoming a TA. How did that happen?
It’s not by accident that we’re wearing the same shirt! The first requirement to become a TA at Yellow Tail Tech is to have a job in the industry. I got my job so fast, and they saw in me not just drive, but also how I interacted with the team. I was invited to become a TA.
Now, I’m not only an alum, I’m also a TA.
And something people don’t always realize is that most of our teachers and TAs went through the same process. You’re taught by people who understand where you are, what you’re trying to do. Most of us had no IT background before we made the switch.
Can you tell us about the day you signed up?
I showed up that day, and I remember someone asked, “Who referred you?” And I said, “I don’t even remember the names. I just know I want to sign up today.”
I was tired of struggling and learning things that weren’t helping me reach my goal.
I try to be a messenger of this message. I know many people out there are looking at their futures, especially after the pandemic, and how the job market shifted. Many want to transition into IT but don’t know how.
As a TA, my role isn’t just about answering daily questions. I want to give students perspective, help them see what they’re looking at and what they need to do to get where they want to be. That’s the most important part.
Now you’re on your way to becoming a full-blown teacher, right?
I’ve received great feedback from students, and we’re talking about me becoming a full teacher. I’m happy to be part of the team.
I feel like I’m an example of what’s possible. Yellow Tail Tech was created to help people who don’t know what they want to do and show them that there is a way. There’s a very clear path forward.
2020 may not have been a great year for everyone, but for me, I passed my cert, got a job, became a TA, and now I’m working on even bigger goals.
What’s been the most meaningful part of this journey for you?
I want to thank you because not only did I change my life and get to live the life I want, but I also now know exactly what I want to do in the future.
I’ve already lined up the certificates I want to get, and I know my next steps.
None of this would’ve happened without Juvie and the Yellow Tail Tech team. Honestly, like TD Allen and all of you, you’re awesome.
Even though I’m now part of the teaching group, I still see myself in that transition stage. Without Yellow Tail Tech, I would’ve kept doing the same thing and getting the same disappointing results.
Ready to start your tech journey? Book a 10-minute intro call with Yellow Tail Tech today.
