Growing up in midtown Sacramento, I never imagined that the small, beat up computers stacked in our garage would shape the entire direction of my life. At the time, they were just “hand-me-down” machines from family, friends, and anyone who thought I might enjoy taking things apart. I did not realize I was slowly building the foundation for a career that would one day let me help people, solve problems, and bring a little calm into moments of chaos.
Where It All Began
My earliest memories involve sitting on the floor with a screwdriver set that was far too big for my hands, pulling apart old desktops just to see what was inside. Back then, none of it looked like technology to me. It was a puzzle. A motherboard became a treasure map. RAM sticks looked like secret keys. Even the smell of dust and metal felt familiar and exciting.
Before long, neighbors started dropping off machines they thought were broken beyond repair. I saw them as challenges. I took pride in figuring out why a computer would not turn on or why a printer refused to connect. Every successful fix felt like magic, and the gratitude I received from people who thought their data was gone forever made me realize how meaningful this work could be.
Helping the Neighborhood Sparked a Philosophy
Fixing computers for people around the block taught me something important. Technology is not about devices. It is about the people using them. Most neighbors who came to me were frustrated, worried, or embarrassed that they did something wrong. I learned early that the best thing I could offer was patience.
That mindset has shaped how I approach IT today. I slow down, listen carefully, and explain things in simple language. I know what it feels like to be confused by a screen that will not cooperate. My job as a kid was to help neighbors feel confident again. My job as an IT specialist is no different.
Curiosity Became a Pathway to Learning
When I discovered that I could study technology formally, everything shifted. I pursued an A.A. in Information Technology at Sacramento City College and later a bachelor’s in Information Systems at California State University, Sacramento. Each step expanded on what I learned in that garage.
Networking classes made sense because I had spent years tracing cables around old towers. Coding basics clicked because I was already used to problem solving. Certifications like CompTIA A+, Network+, and Microsoft 365 Fundamentals felt like structured versions of the hands-on learning I had done for most of my childhood.
What started as curiosity had turned into expertise.
Early Jobs Reinforced the Lessons of Childhood
My first professional role at RiverCity Tech Solutions was a continuation of helping neighbors, just on a bigger scale. I supported dental offices, law firms, and small businesses across Sacramento. Every day brought a new problem, and I leaned heavily on the philosophy I learned growing up.
Stay calm.
Explain clearly.
Fix the problem without making someone feel small.
Those early experiences proved how rare and valuable patience can be in technical work. Knowing the fix is not enough. Guiding someone through the process matters just as much.
Finding Purpose in Helping Others
Later, when I moved into healthcare support and eventually joined a regional nonprofit, the purpose behind my work became even clearer. Technology can make or break a person’s day. When it works, people feel empowered. When it breaks, they feel stuck.
I still think back to those afternoons when curious neighbors knocked on our front door holding a dusty laptop and saying they hoped I could save it. The feeling of helping someone regain access to something important has never faded. It shows up in every grateful email I get and in every moment when someone says they finally understand what went wrong.
Curiosity Never Really Ends
Even now, my garage has turned into a small makerspace. I tinker with Raspberry Pi projects, experiment with home automation, and build IoT prototypes just for fun. Cycling, coffee roasting, and home brewing are hobbies that scratch that same itch. I like to see how things work. I like to improve them. That part of me has never changed.
Curiosity is what kept me hooked as a kid, and it still drives me today.
From Tinkering to a Career Built on Service
When people ask how I got into IT, I always go back to those early memories of opening my first computer and feeling that spark. What started as simple tinkering turned into a lifelong passion. More importantly, it shaped how I treat people.
My career has never been about showing how much I know. It has been about helping others feel capable again. Technology should make life easier, not harder. Whether I am solving a complex issue for a nonprofit or showing a senior citizen how to use their new phone, that same philosophy guides me.
Childhood curiosity gave me skills, but it also gave me purpose. And every time I fix a stubborn problem or help someone understand their device, I feel a small reminder of that kid on the floor in midtown Sacramento, surrounded by parts, happily lost in the joy of figuring things out.