Life can turn upside down in an instant, and career changes are no exception – they can be downright crippling when unforeseen obstacles arise. For Rae-Ann Covington, this meant facing job loss during the pandemic, a challenge many have encountered. But Rae-Ann didn’t let this setback define her. What others might’ve seen as a setback, she viewed as a chance to hit the reset button on her path in tech. Raising an autistic son on her own, she’s developed a double identity – superhero mom by day, tech innovator by night – each requiring undivided attention.
What happens when we zero in on Rae-Ann – let’s find out together! Fell head over heels for Linux With her project management skills in high gear, she smoothly coordinated every aspect of the project. In her footsteps, we find an unrelenting pursuit of victory, every conquer proving a blazing torch lighting the way forward.
Early Career and Expertise
Rae-Ann’s tech journey began long before her current transition. With over seven years in quality assurance (QA) across sectors like pharmaceuticals, R&D, and education, she gained a broad skill set and insight into diverse tech applications.
Rae-Ann’s expertise was more comprehensive than QA processes. With a solid grasp of various programming languages, she could effortlessly dissect and examine complex software systems, down to the last detail. Her tech skills got a major boost from her solid foundation in programming – it was the unseen engine driving her overall success.
Perhaps most notably, Rae-Ann’s skills in project management stood out. With her PMI certification, she brought a command of team leadership and large-scale project management to the table. Her expertise was not just theoretical; she had tested and proven her skills in the field. With Rae-Ann at the helm, projects stayed on track thanks to her down-to-earth approach, centered on honest assessments and purposeful course corrections.
In her own words, Rae-Ann described the importance of this skill set: “One thing that can be said of any project management professional is this: anything can be a project. Professionally and in one’s personal life. For me, finding balance comes down to scheduling concrete objectives and monitoring my progress – it’s the only way I can guarantee everything that needs doing gets done.
Rae-Ann’s formative years got her career off on the right foot. What set her apart was her balance of brains and brawn – technical expertise and the leadership instincts to forge a path through the tech industry’s uncharted territories.
Impact of the Pandemic
The pandemic’s mass layoffs were critical for Rae-Ann, challenging her established tech career. She marked a significant shift during this period, prompting her to reassess her professional path.
Rae-Ann’s reaction to the layoffs was a mix of emotions. “My initial reaction to mass layoffs following the pandemic was bittersweet,” she recalls. The pandemic suddenly upended the stability she had known in her career, but it also opened the door to new possibilities. Rae-Ann was forced by this period of uncertainty to reassess her career trajectory and confront the limitations of her current qualifications in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
The tech industry’s speed of light pace was leaving some of her hard-won skills in the dust. Rae-Ann’s understanding took a sharp turn, marking a before and after. I wasn’t just searching for a new job – I was on a mission to master the skills the industry now demands. For Rae-Ann, the pandemic was a blessing in disguise – it prompted her to step back, re-evaluate her strengths, and steer her career toward the skills that would be in hot demand in tech.
As Rae-Ann’s career hit this phase, a pattern emerged that many professionals know all too well from the pandemic: Staying one step ahead requires rolling with the punches and switching gears when circumstances change. For Rae-Ann, it was a moment of reckonin’ – she needed to survey the new landscape, retool her approach, and get ready to pivot.
The Drive for Upskilling
In the wake of the pandemic’s impact, Rae-Ann recognized the need to upskill to stay relevant in the tech industry. She strategically chose to concentrate on Linux because she was aware of the technology’s pervasive and developing role in the digital world.
Rae-Ann’s understanding of how crucial Linux is to numerous technological aspects influenced her decision. “Linux is a technology that is deeply ingrained in most of our daily lives, and the vast majority of us do not realize it even exists,” she explained. This insight led her to believe that mastering Linux would not only future-proof her career but also align with her natural inclinations toward technology. “The ‘way’ Linux interprets data and functions as an OS just clicks with how my brain is wired,” Rae-Ann added, highlighting her connection with the technology.
With a hand from the Virginia WIOA program, she was able to make serious strides in her pursuit of a Linux career. With the program’s resources and support, Rae-Ann was able to dig in and explore Linux like never before. It was the boost her career needed – a well-defined route to snatching up those highly sought-after skills that would set her apart.
To Rae-Ann, staying current in tech means never coasting – she consistently updates her expertise, tackling each new challenge as it emerges. With a career revival in mind, she smartly paired her Linux expertise with the benefits of the WIOA Virginia program, landing her back in the tech workforce with increased authority. Staying competitive in tech requires more than just know-how – it demands a dedication to learning and adapting on the fly, which is exactly what’s driving this decision.
Balancing Personal and Professional Life
Alongside her tech career, Rae-Ann’s role as a single mother to an autistic son presents unique challenges, especially in coordinating his therapy with her professional development.
A balance of heart and head serves Rae-Ann well as she takes on her dual role, bringing both compassion and level-headed thinking to the table. Her son’s needs aren’t roadblocks – they’re an intrinsic part of her life’s pathway. “My child’s needs are never seen as obstacles to overcome to achieve my professional goals,” Rae-Ann asserts. Her son’s sense of security and self-worth are non-negotiables, and she’s completely committed to carving out a career path that never compromises on family time.
Supporting her son’s development demands a constant effort to synchronize his therapy and educational needs. With precision, Rae-Ann blocks out each day, allocating just the right amount of time for her son to receive the help he needs to thrive. This process runs on fuel – regular updates from teachers, therapists, and administrators that help monitor his progress.
Managing the dual roles of mom and professional, Rae-Ann cleverly weaves together her work and family life, allowing her to excel in both. Whenever she picks up a new skill or insight, she can’t wait to share it with her son, repackaging the lesson as a fun, interactive journey that both enjoy and benefit from. “Explaining what ‘mommy learned this week’ has exposed my son to higher technology and helped to solidify my understanding of it,” she shares.
This precarious tightrope act highlights Rae-Ann’s impressive ability to roll with the punches, coming out stronger on the other side. With twin priorities pulling her in different directions, she finds a way to make it work, disproving the notion that career ambitions and parenting duties are mutually exclusive. Rae-Ann’s story radiates a message of hope for single parents in tech: you don’t have to sacrifice your professional ambitions to be a great parent, or vice versa – with a bit of creativity, you can succeed on both fronts.
Looking Towards the Future
As Rae-Ann navigates her upskilling journey and balances her responsibilities, she eyes the future. Her ultimate goal is to secure a stable, remote-friendly home business that aligns with her new skills and life circumstances. Her aim is not merely professional success but to create a sustainable and fulfilling work-life balance.
Looking ahead to June 2024, Rae-Ann has a well-defined picture of success. “June 2024, I expect myself to be in the internship portion of my tech journey with YellowTail and further positioning myself to obtain the best job that I can within IT,” she states. She wants to leverage her skill set to its fullest potential, continuously learning and growing as a professional in the tech industry.
Rae-Ann’s plan for the future includes obtaining key certifications that will bolster her expertise and marketability. “Success for me at that point is having my Red Hat Certified System Admin certification and also preparing for/taking exams for my AWS Cloud Practitioner and Security+ certifications,” she elaborates. These certifications are more than milestones; they represent her commitment to staying at the forefront of the tech industry.
Rae-Ann’s vision extends beyond personal achievements. Her resilience and determination show that it’s possible to reinvent oneself professionally, regardless of life’s challenges.
New Beginnings: Rae-Ann’s Tale of Triumph
Rae-Ann’s timeline is etched with moments of frailty and moments of victory, painting a portrait of defiance in the face of the impossible. A single mom’s triumphant leap from quality assurance specialist to tech enthusiast is a refreshing tale of determination, speaking directly to anyone wrestling with a career overhaul. She refuses to get left behind, always updating her skills to stay ahead in a fast-paced industry.
Rae-Ann’s radical career reboot is a testament to the transformative power of taking risks. If you’re a tech pro looking to ditch the status quo, remember that fresh starts are always within reach – as long as you’ve got the guts to go for it. The path ahead is calling your name – will you answer and take the leap? Book a 10-minute intro call with an Enrollment Advisor today.
