My journey into technology started with a passion for video games. As a teenager, I wanted to switch from console to PC gaming — so I asked for individual components for Christmas and built my first computer from scratch. That hands-on experience sparked a deeper interest in how hardware and software worked together.

I began college as a Computer Science major, but quickly realized that software development wasn’t my path. After transferring to Southern Illinois University, I shifted to a broader IT focus, where I gravitated toward cybersecurity and Python. The turning point came when I joined the university’s Network Engineering department. There, I discovered a real interest in networking — solving real problems, configuring hardware, and keeping systems running smoothly.

To deepen my knowledge, I started building a home lab in my college apartment. What began as a curiosity quickly turned into a serious learning platform where I explored switching, routing, automation, and cloud technologies. These days, when I’m not working or gaming, you’ll find me experimenting with my home lab, testing new tools, or automating tasks with Python.

"I believe the best way to learn IT is by building, breaking, and rebuilding."