I took my first steps to a professional career while in high-school by getting my CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications. I used the CCNA Curriculum to study for the Network+ test. I continued on that path through college for a degree in Network Engineering. The Network Engineering program was a bit of a hybrid between Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science. Some of my favorite classes were:
Computer-Aided Network Design - I used CAD to model physical room building layouts. I also used Visio to model networks, and hardware devices.
Network Security - We used a Cisco-IOS type interface to build multiple networks. Each network had nodes on it that could only be accessed by specific machines, on other networks, with specific ports. The network technology mixed wireless, IPv6, IPv4, DCE/DTE, and Ethernet ports to simulate real world variety.
Information Security -
Cyber Law - My professor here made the class very interesting. While there is no single specific memory I took from this class, it has impacted my view on the law, its implementation.
Statistics - This was the most useful math class I have ever taken. Having a basic knowledge of statistics is important because with the right data set, you can make almost any point you want to. The trick here is to avoid logical fallacies.
Intro to Circuit Theory - My initial interest in computers was really basic electronics. As a child I was always taking things apart, and then trying to get them back together. I now have some idea what I was looking at inside that VCR.
Robotics - I took a similar class in high-school. We learn the basics about different types of robots, including industrial. Then we are given a task to make something. The first project was with Legos, but after that we cannibalized old printers for servo motors, and build tethered battle bots.
American Government - I was interested in learning more about our government while in college. Even up to this point I had never gotten a proper education on the driving factors behind our founding fathers positions. Unfortunately, schools do not teach this, and its something I would like to see changed.
October 2007 through February 2013
Harris Corp HITS, Linwood NJ
Program: VSCS
Systems Engineering
Test Engineering
April 2013 - Present
Harris Corp GCSD, Melbourne Florida.
Programs: VCS21, NVS (Nextgen Voice Switch), FTI (FAA Telcom Infrastructure), (SESWSC) Systems Engineering Software Safety Case.
Systems Integration & Test Engineer