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Network Support Technician Grad
TJ Lee
Clovis – Network Support Technician Grad
Many people can relate to not knowing what they want to do right out of high school. Most bounce back and forth between varying careers, and only a lucky few truly find their passion. TJ Lee is one of those people.
TJ started out as a political science major at Fresno City College, but found he wasn’t interested in that area of study and dropped out. TJ found himself with nothing to do and no direction.
It wasn’t until a friend suggested that he attend Institute of Technology that TJ discovered his passion. Realizing that his lifelong fascination with computers could pay off in the long run, TJ immediately enrolled in Institute of Technology’s Network Support Technician Program in Clovis and got to work paving the way for his future.
“I love computers and I’ve been working with them ever since,” TJ said. “I found something I’m good at, so I might as well stick with it.” And stick with it is just what he did. Instead of following the typical path of going to school to learn the skills and then going out to find a job, TJ worked and volunteered while he was attending Institute of Technology. He understood that experience paired with knowledge would get him where he wanted to go, and he pursued opportunities in the IT departments at area schools and hospitals. He graduated in August 2010 with straight A’s and a sizable competitive advantage from real-world experiences.
Despite the poor market conditions, TJ said he made sure he “never gave up! Every opportunity that I got, I seized it. Even if I was denied, I still kept up with my routine.” Such strong determination helped TJ land a job as a web developer at the multimedia marketing firm Synermatix Studios in Fresno.
TJ credits Institute of Technology for his successes, noting that the teachers remember who you are, something that is very important to him. According to TJ, “We remember these teachers at Institute of Technology because they’re constantly helping us… I think that’s what makes people successful right there.”
With inspiration from teachers in professional development classes and from career services advisors like Megan Arno, TJ found his passion and was able to succeed in doing exactly what he wanted to do. “I would consider this to be a dream come true,” he said, “because once you’re doing something that you love as a career, you are no longer working at all.” TJ couldn’t be more excited for his future at Synermatix Studios, and he’s living proof of his belief that “with a little faith and determination, there are no limits to achieving your goals.”