Life Update.. and the Oncoming Tsunami
I know it’s been a minute. But I had to get my life together.
Finished the Oracle Race. I gave it my all and life got BUSY.
Back in school for my BS in Cloud & Network Engineering.
Started a new job in a new industry and have been training and WORKING.
I turned 33. All of this happened in less than 30 days.
Grabbed some CompTIA certs..
I started studying Python + Linux.
LIFE GOT BUSY.
So I do apologize for leaving yall hanging, I have much to give you… and I know you need it.
FIRST…. I HAVE COMPLETED THE ORACLE JOURNEY. THE CHALLENGE IS OVER.
Here’s what I accomplished between July 1st and October 31st in the Oracle Race:
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Foundations Associate
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) AI Foundations Associate
Oracle Data Platform Foundations Associate
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Generative AI Professional
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Multicloud Architect Professional
Initially I aimed to do more and finish more BUT after applying to jobs all summer in a concerted effort to pivot in this economy, I became inundated with interview prep and getting ready to be back in college while working full time. I dropped the Oracle race after my last cert and called it a valiant effort. Although I didn’t finish the race top 500, I am SUPER happy I did the race. Being able to speak on what I learned in the race, especially about using AI and the foundations of cloud computing, I was able to impress more than a few hiring teams. I ended up with job offers across the board from the FAANG community all the way into healthcare and construction. The race opened doors for me by forcing me to learn new things, even if they didn’t precisely apply to the jobs I was applying for. Recruiters and managers alike LOVE adaptable candidates who have a hunger for growth and don’t mind taking the initiative without being asked.
What I learned about myself along the way
Security, networking, and cloud infrastructure is where I want to park myself for the foreseeable future. Leaning into Oracle’s AI based learning paths gave me a deeper understanding of the available technology that large companies are using. They also gave me a better understanding of how it can be used to make my job easier and my output A LOT more efficient. If you’ve been keeping up with my emails, you know about my pivot inside of the tech industry and I am new to cloud, networking, and securing it all. I’m back in school AND I’m actively teaching myself every single day. Operational Technology (OT), cloud security, networking (the foundation of it all), and data is where I live. And I plan on staying here for as long as I can. The industry is essential, forever growing, and has plenty of places for me to park myself, learn more, elevate, and GROW.
What’s next: SCHOOL + UPSKILLING + THE TSUNAMI
Self explanatory. I will be using my degrees, and the classes I’m taking with them and aligning them with what I’m doing at work and where I plan to be in the future. Currently, I’ve structured my elective classes to aim more for cybersecurity and cyber-physical systems. I’m tailoring my outside home lab projects to cater to the growth in the industry I’ve pivoted into. Even though my home lab is small and in its infancy stages, I am able to take what I learn at work and apply it to mock scenarios at home. This is allowing me to build a well documented portfolio of self taught projects. The long term goal is to become a Cloud Security Engineer or Security Controls Engineer working OT and cyber-physical systems. The essential backbone of the internet type stuff.
You don’t see me post much on social media or even Stacker Mail because I have dedicated the next few years of my life to becoming the best at what I do. A unicorn. When the meeting of the minds happens, I want to be on a short list of subject matter experts (SMEs) called to the table to present what I know in my field. The only way I do that is by DEEP WORK. Constant studying. Not just passing my classes but excelling at them. Winning awards. Being employee of the year. Have top leaders in my organization reach out to me to congratulate me on my work. If the best in the building did it in 24 months, I want to get it done in 18 months.
There is an economic tsunami upon us. Some will get over the top of the way before it smacks into the harbor. Some will be able to swim in its rapid currents once it floods the streets. Some lose everything but the boat to take them to higher ground. Most will drown unfortunately. Gone is the economy in easy mode. The new world order is upon us. The plan is to lock up the uneducated/poor/homeless (whichever category they fall into), and use them as prison labor. The new world order will not favor the houseless, the poor, or the uneducated. It’s like a honeypot trap. They tell you college is a scam, and then when you’re uneducated and can’t get a job, they will arrest you for being homeless. Can’t keep up with rising inflation? Jail. Can’t pay your bills? Jail.
How do you stay out of jail? Find a means of not only surviving but THRIVING. Educate yourself to supply your wealth. My old industry started to die and I hit the pavement. I will not be swept up in this economic wave. I refuse. I saw the writing on the wall during the pandemic. One phrase always stuck out to me: ESSENTIAL WORKER. The economy is shifting. If your position isn’t essential to the world, think about where it will be in the next 10-15 years. Think about what the pay will look like. Can you thrive on that? UPSKILL. Like yesterday.