Merit America

Today was a game-changer for me. For a while, I’ve been eyeing a Software Support Specialist role, but like many breaking into IT, I wondered if my lack of experience would hold me back. But instead of overthinking it, I just went for it. During today’s squad meeting in my Google IT Support Specialist program at Merit America, we had an exercise: find professionals on LinkedIn and craft an introduction message. It was just practice, but my career coach, D'angelo Johnson, encouraged us to actually send them out. So I did. I reached out to the hiring manager, and within 30 minutes, they responded, telling me to apply directly. I followed through, and within an hour, I got an email saying my application was moving forward! Now, I’m taking assessments for the next step. This experience made one thing clear: applying isn’t enough—you have to be proactive. I had applied weeks ago, but it wasn’t until I reached out directly that things started moving. If you’re job hunting and wondering if you have a shot—just go for it. The worst that can happen? Nothing. But the best? It could change everything. Have you ever reached out directly for a job? Would love to hear—has networking ever helped you land an opportunity? #Networking #CareerChange #MeritAmerica #ITSupport #JobSearchTips #GrowthMindset #JustGoForIt

Merit America IT Support Specialist program update. I'm a couple days late. Week 5 ended Monday. The skills that I've been learning on interviewing from how to answer the most likely to be asked questions, or creating stories or answers that would fit several "buckets" of questions, to resume building and networking are skills that alone are transferable to any job. If the only someone gets out of this program is this, in my opinion, it was money well spent. However, it would not honor the effort or the vision of Merit America if that is all you learned. Learning how to navigate your computer using Bash or Command Prompt instead of using the GUI was so enlightening. I already had some experience in it, but not enough to realize how the command line, no matter which you use, for some things makes thing so much faster to accomplish what you need to do. I've been told this week will be the start of it all "ramping" up, so I'll see how I feel about everything next week. That being said, Week 5 was challenging and yet fun facing that challenge and beating it. Nothing beats that feeling. If you are interested in anything Tech related, make Merit America your first stop to pick up a "starter kit" of knowledge to get you started. I call it a starter kit because it will get you in the door, but never stop learning and picking up more skills, certs, and training. Never forget to have fun while doing. Get frustrated, aggravated but always remember to take a step back, refocus and remember you love for the challenge. I'm learning how to write in Python right now. When the code I wrote doesn't work, i get frustrated and aggravated, but its my love of the challenge that keeps me going and when I finally press the button and it works, all that frustration and aggravation I went through makes me feel all the more satisfied by what I accomplish, despite it being a misspelled word, or the wrong operation or function. Love what you do and you never have to work another day in your life.

Week 3 Merit America IT Support Program update. Week 3 down and I have to say, "WOW". By the time I get done with this program I'll be more confident than I've ever been for interviews. I've learned a lot on the tech side of things, however if you can't ace an interview then that tech knowledge isn't going to do you any good. I've spent a lot of time this past week talking a little bit of Interviews and Resume building. I know its was just a touch on them but I can see its going to be a lot more later. When I've completed this program Ill be able to have the tech knowledge to do a lot in IT Support, and Ill not only have a solid Resume; Ill have the know how to customize it for any job I want even if its not in IT. I'll also have a confidence for going to interviews. I'll still give this a ten out of ten and I'll recommend it to anyone wanting to get into tech and don't have the money to do it using college.