Darlene, an inspiring TSC Class 20 Alumnae

When I first came to TSC I was very unsure of how I would survive.

Prior to being officially accepted to TSC, I had cleared with my current job that I would be able to go "part-time" to take that great opportunity of learning technology at NPower as well as maintaining all of the many responsibilities I had living on my own. At the last minute the people at my job changed their mind about my part time status and I was left with no job. Still, I chose to take a chance at a new life in a new field that could possibly be my ticket and start my path to success through TSC.

Because of other talents I had as a musician and graphic designer I was able to bring in some kind of income. It wasn't consistent, but I tried my best to make it work. At that point I was in class from 9am-1pm, the bookstore from 2pm-10pm and the advertising company from 12am-8am. This meant very little sleep and a lot of hard work! Many days I came to class exhausted but I was determined to finish the program.

My class time in TSC (9am-1pm) was what I considered on many days my safe haven. It was my time to smile and breathe because when I left the doors of 4 Metrotech life was filled with many stresses and concerns. I had lost my appartment, had no stable place to live, and slept on my travel time to the next job.

My internship was at MOMA (Museum of Modern Arts) and though it was great it did not translate into a job due to lack of funding on their side. So there I was still working for a bookstore and switching tapes at the advertising company. I had graduated from TSC and my Tech skills were up to par but I still wasn't working in my new field of expertise.

I didn't loose hope. I was online in my spare time searching out jobs, I stayed in touch with my internship manager as well as Patrick Cohen who was at that time the career developer for TSC. I was fortunate to get an interview at Jacob Riis. They loved me and hired me on the spot. I started the next day!

My first tech job was a Network Administrator. It usually takes a while to get to that place. I was very fortunate. My time at Jacob Riis really helped me develop all of the things I learned at TSC. I quickly moved up, took on more responsibilities (some voluntarily) and was able to create a new department. I was instrumental in building a solid system and hired staff to help maintain it. I was there for a year and a half and had accomplished so MUCH! More than I thought ever possible.

Through TSC I was encouraged to apply for a position at JP Morgan Chase. To be honest, I didn't think I would make the cut. However, after 2 months of interviews I was hired as an Engineer Analyst which is my current position. I also serve as the secretary for the TSC Alumni Board.

Many of TSC students have stories just like mine. Everyday it was another struggle, another stumbling block, another mishap, and drama, drama, drama. The thing that made me different was my determination and my faith in God, who has been my firm foundation from the very beginning. I was determined to finish, determined to win! Yes, I cried! Yes, people laughed at me. No one was there to celebrate my accomplishments! But people like Liz and Patrick from TSC kept pushing me and I kept moving.

I am now closer to success. I work for a prominent company that is known worldwide. No more traveling from house to house, I don't have to sleep on the train, and I have a confidence I didn't have before. NPower and TSC put me on that path.

One more thing! One of my favorite lessons while at TSC has helped me almost everyday in my field and has solved about 80% of the technology issues I face! It's a little lesson called PEBKAC! What does that mean? It means : Problems Exist Between Keyboard And Chair, in other words, the person operating the PC.