:-)
When I got older I was able to work on my own vehicles, for the most part. I also helped a gentleman wire a new section of the house I lived in. So I was helpful all over the place. When I decided to enter the military (Air Force) I decided I wanted to be a mechanic. Imagine my shock and dismay when the folks at Lackland AFB told me that I was technically colorblind and that I couldn't enter any field that was mechanical, electrical or electronic in nature. My recruiter failed to mention this one small, albeit, very significant detail. So I had to shine a seat with my a$$ for 10 plus years.
Towards the end of my enlistment, I got interested in computers, and I was able to piece together working units with little to no training/schooling. I just "figured it out." That interest in computers continued into my next full time gig working for a local development authority when the IT portion of the company was dumped into my lap. I was able, again, keep the IT segment of the job humming even though I had no formal schooling.
After that job closed up shop (the government withdrew funding), and after recuperating from a near fatal car accident (a little ole lady thought red meant go and broadsided my car. Fortunately I wasn't seriously injured though I have whiplash related pain to this day and I lost my teeth), I decided to finally seek out college and see what they could do for me. A local community college promised me a plethora of job opportunities after graduating with a two year AAS degree. I got two AAS degrees and three certifications, but no IT job. The only thing going to college enabled me to do was enter STEP (Student Temporary Employment Program) at a local military base and through that gain full time employment three years later.
I figured, and the college told me, that I would be able to parlay that college time into a IT job working for Uncle Sam. Two things wrong with that scenario though.
1. All IT Helpdesk functions were outsourced just as I entered federal service (2003-2004). That avenue was close to me.
2. All CSA (Client Support Administrator) and CST (Computer Support Technician) positions were centralized on a local level and the jobs given to ARTs (Air Reserve Technicians).
As such, all IT jobs working for the government were closed off to me. If I want an IT job, I would have to quit my job, leave the federal service and any hope of a government retirement, and strike out on another path. I've been stuck in a general administrative job all this time (11 years and counting), and I've been blocked from promoting due to cronyism and nepotism in the federal workplace (go figure huh?).
After all that, I've still been hesitant to leave my current job, that is, until now. A recent Manpower study determined that my current position is not needed and is being deleted. I've applied for a VSIP (Voluntary Separation Incentive Program) buyout but I still don't know if I'll be granted it.
That's about everything from the past 25 years in a nutshell. I'm good with computers. I can take one apart and put it back together with 30 minutes, sometimes less. I've worked with LANs and I'm knowledgeable about how and why it works. I'm good at systems analysis and can plan and purchase IT equipment. I also have experience and knowledge in financial management, bookkeeping and accounts payable. Plus I'm just plain good at "figuring things out." Wherever I'm put or find myself, if there is a problem usually I can fix it.
Currently I live in Indiana, but I'm open to going just about anywhere, except states like New York and California. I've always wanted to live in places like Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, even the eastern parts of states like Oregon. I'm 54 years old but it's time for a change, it's time to get away from the federal government and all of its repressive rules and red tape, but most of all it's time to get back to helping people in whatever way I can do it.
That doesn't sound too corny does it?