What are you doing today?
I'm the IT manager for a corporation in Vancouver, Washington. I manage and run everything related to IT and IS. For example, servers, software, firewalls, switches, wireless access points, databases. I have a small IT staff that I manage and supervise as well. The corporate management team recently announced it plans to create an IT services company, and I've been selected to manage and run the new company.

What inspired you to pursue IT as a career?
I've always loved computers and technology, and have worked in the high-tech industry for over 18 years. When I first got out of high school, I was in the military and started as an aircraft electrician in the Air Force. I've also worked as a supervisor and manager over the years. So the move to the IT industry was in line with my previous skill set. I knew the US was in the middle of its information revolution, much like the industrial revolution of the last century, and I believe the IT industry will continue to grow.

What did you value most about PPC?
The courses were challenging and the teachers were great. If you show an effort to learn, they'll bend over backwards to help you. Any time I was ahead of the program work, I was given plenty of extra stuff to do and learn. It was a challenging, very satisfying experience.

With a smaller class size, the teachers were able to key off the students. If you were an exceptional performer, they were able to challenge you further. Stretch you a little farther so you could learn more.

Were you prepared for the real world when
you graduated?
A lot of the coursework creates a really solid foundation for the IT individual going out there. But it's a matter of how committed you are as to how successful you'll be. I feel quite certain that if I had not strived to get A's, -- if I'd only done average work- I wouldn't have gained as much during school, and wouldn't have been nearly as prepared.

What makes you proud these days?
Since I've graduated, there have been some big technical things I've done that I'm proud of, like a major server migration.

My own personal growth is another thing. Becoming the head of the IT department and having people that I'm responsible for-leading a team forward-and managing the entire IT aspect for a whole company has really given me the opportunity to grow as an individual. I've really gotten farther than I thought I would in a very short time. It's been a great experience. Very challenging. And very stressful sometimes, of course. I don't know how to explain it, it's like every time I reach a certain goal, I'm always looking forward to how will I get further. I want to continue to grow. And continue to challenge myself.

Why did you choose Pioneer Pacific?
I was really impressed with the way the school organized everything. In a regular college, you have to chase after books, chase after classes. It can take you way longer to complete your degree.

The thing that appealed to me about Pioneer was that they have a structured plan. They supply the books. They put you in classes. You don't have to fight for a spot. They also condense the information they give you into a shorter timeframe, which is what they do with technical training in the military. I was used to that and liked it.

What would you say to a potential student?
Don't let thoughts of not being up to par or it being too hard stop you. When I first looked at this, it was intimidating to think about going back to school. Even though it was scary, I looked at it as a challenge. I thought, other people have done it; I know that I can too.

Also, anything's possible. It's a matter of sacrifice. If you want to compete, if you want to get ahead, if you want that degree, you'll put in the time. You'll put in the effort. You'll make the sacrifice today to save yourself from having to sacrifice later in life.