The experiences and knowledge gained during my time at Dalhousie University were truly exhilarating. Every new concept and skill learned in the computer science program fueled my passion for IT. However, it was a chance encounter with a friend working in the university’s IT helpdesk that opened my eyes to a different aspect of the field.

Curious about their day-to-day responsibilities, I asked if I could observe and assist occasionally. Though unofficially a part of the team, I eagerly helped document new findings and solutions. Witnessing them troubleshoot hardware issues intrigued me, despite my limited knowledge in that area. At home, I had an unused PC which sparked an idea—I followed online tutorials, particularly an A+ certification course on Udemy, and dismantled the PC to understand its components.

Although the PC was non-functional upon reassembly due to its prior issues, the experience was invaluable. It deepened my understanding of hardware and motivated me to explore IT further. Determined to enter the industry sooner rather than later, I made a pivotal decision to pause my university studies and enroll in a cybersecurity bootcamp.