I recently earned my Google IT Support Professional certificate, and I plan to go on to acquire my Comptia A+ certification. I am more than willing to acquire more specialized certification and/or training based on a job's current needs. As I learn more about the fundamentals of IT, I am pleased to realize that I carry a genuine fascination for the ins-and-outs of computers! With my experience in the medical field, the anatomy and functions of the human body always captivated to me. The building blocks of a computer, or rather, a computer's anatomy is equally engrossing. I always regarded computers with mysticism. How did we get from all of these natural elements surrounding us to these intricate, man-made machines that can display seemingly infinite caches of information? The more I learned about the tangible and intangible components of computers, it doesn't make them any less fascinating, just a lot less mystifying! I am privileged to have worked in a variety of industries and to have grown, both in my professional and personal life, due to my time spent in each. During my time as a server, the most important takeaways I learned were healthy interpersonal communication, retention of information, ability to problem-solve in high-speed and high-stress environments, and efficiency in time management. My time as a manager provided me with a clear view of my abilities and potential in a leadership role. I learned that you can create a work environment built on mutual respect and that the most important building blocks of any job are the people within the company, no matter their station. My time as a CNA taught me the value of the consumer base. Whether it's in the medical field, food service, or sales, there is a standard for how consumers should be treated and for how difficult situations should be handled. You can make someone feel valued and heard. You can be empathetic and do your best to make every interaction a positive one, whether that's how the interaction began or not. I am excited for this next leg of my journey, and I feel that everything up until this point has somehow perfectly prepared me with the tools for success in an IT career!