Earlier this year we asked the Career Factor cast to give us feedback on their journey so far and any advice they have for others following their paths. As their stories come to a close, we’re publishing their personal statements to help you get inspired to start your own journey. (Another great place to start is the DIY Career Factor contest, which ends June 15!)
Today’s advice comes from Eddie and Neil.
The DIY IT Professional - Eddie
Eddie Boles's life journey took him from Harlem, New York to college in Berkeley, California and then a career in the Los Angeles entertainment industry. When the economic crisis hit in 2008 and production jobs dried up, Eddie and his family landed in San Diego, California with a desire to turn his interest in computers into a career. Over the course of Career Factor, Eddie got a full-time IT job, obtained his first certification, and just last week added a new life goal to his checklist: Join the Microsoft Certified community and become a trainer to help others like him.
What was your starting point before Career Factor?Prior to Career Factor, I was an unemployed Entertainment Professional in the midst of re-educating myself in the hopes of beginning a career in IT. With my mathematics background and love of computers, it made sense to pursue something in the tech field. I was taking classes at New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, San Diego when the folks at Microsoft noticed me…
What was your goal for Career Factor?My goal with Career Factor was to compliment the A+ and Network+ Certifications I was already pursuing with certifications in Windows 7 (MCTS), Server 2008, and the Office 2010 suite.
How would you do this again, knowing what you know now?Regarding use of resources, the only thing I would have done differently was to take more advantage of all that was being offered from Microsoft. They opened up virtually all of their eLearning materials to us as participants and I did used quite a few, but being so new to the industry, I don’t think I really understood the significance of what it all meant. Had I the opportunity to do it again, I would have made sure that I maximized all of the resources offered.
The Windows Azure Developer - Neil
What was your starting point before Career Factor?Experienced developer with no experience with Azure
What was your goal for Career Factor?To become an experienced and competent Azure developer.
How would you do this again, knowing what you know now?Rely on the vast experience on the MSDN forums. Don't be afraid to reach out to MVPs, if it's a simple question, they'll easily point you in the right direction and if it's challenging, they'll learn as much as you. Develop early as Azure has its own areas of difficulty which will not necessarily become apparent until you go to implementation. Azure is not only different from most technologies users are likely to be used to, it has different limitations.
Eddie moved to Los Angeles in 1992, where he started as a Production Assistant on various video projects. These included commercials for Starter Hats, to feature films and TV sit-coms, including "In The House" and "The Steve Harvey Show." During this time, he co-founded Black Coffee Entertainment, which managed the Black Eyed Peas from 1994 until 2000. Eddie primarily managed the international tours for the group. Soon thereafter, he re-immersed himself into film and television at State Street Pictures as the assistant to director Tim Story, best known for the first "Barbershop" movie and the blockbuster hit franchise "Fantastic Four".