The ITWorks Spring 2018 session is kicking off this week in Las Vegas! Check out this spotlight to learn more about one of the newest students, Heather, who is ready to take on the IT world.
ITWorks: Congrats on being accepted to ITWorks! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Heather: I was born in California, raised in Mexico, and somehow landed in Las Vegas. I am Palestinian. It was a much more prominent part of my life growing up, but it’s not as much now. I’m also a proud mom! Her name is Emma Fae, and she’s six years old. I speak both English and Spanish, and I know a little bit of Arabic but am not fluent.
ITW: What about the technology field caught your attention?
H: Technology is such a big thing now, and it’s only getting bigger and better. I think it’s pretty amazing all that we have access to at our fingertips. How could I go wrong with choosing to pursue an industry that is going to be around forever? I specifically want to get into the realm of smart security cameras. As a mom, home security is so incredibly important! So I want to start as a technician, but eventually I’d like to design, install, and manage security systems. My boyfriend is also in technology, and it would be even more amazing to take on IT together.
ITW: What was the selling point of ITWorks for you?
H: I have to start at the beginning! My daughter attends a school that I also volunteer at. One day over lunch I was speaking with her teacher about how I wanted to go back to school, so we were looking into various degrees and programs. She brought up ITWorks, which she had formerly researched for a friend. I started looking into it, and was a little skeptical at first, but I knew I had to find out more. I sent the link to my boyfriend to check it out, and he was really impressed at the topics included in the curriculum – for free to boot! So, I applied that same day. Kera, the instructor, ended up inviting me to the Fall graduation and I was able to attend and get a better feel for the program. Surprisingly, it was a super emotional experience for me. I was listening to students and volunteers talk about how much their life had changed and all that had transpired over the last four months, and I knew that this is where I wanted to be. I come from a home where no one has ever graduated from high school so for me to be able to accomplish that and then have the opportunity to attend ITWorks is just absolutely amazing.
ITW: What are you most excited about?
H: The opportunity! I’m still a little blind about what this program can bring to my life. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in school and had to study every day. So I’m a little scared, but I’m so excited. At the graduation I attended, New Horizons was there and gave someone a scholarship. I haven’t stopped thinking about that since. So many things are going to come from this, and I don’t really know what that is going to be or what is next, so I’m just ready for the opportunity.
ITW: Anything else?
H: I’m super open-minded and ready to learn. At the end of the day, my success is about where I take myself in my career. But, I also know that I didn’t have to be selected for this program. So I am grateful to be here and have this opportunity, and I can’t wait to show myself what I’m capable of.
