Ailin Calderon | March 2019 Graduate of the CompTIA A+ Plus Help Desk Program
Published by Alliance Career Training Solutions | March 29, 2019
Program: CompTIA A+ Plus Help Desk
Start Date: 10/29/18
Graduated: 3/26/19
Employed: 4/3/19
“I needed to find a new career that involved helping people, and for me, fixing a computer felt like helping.”
Ailin Calderon didn’t see herself working in any other field other than the medical field. For some time, Ailin was a paramedic at Central Coast Ambulance (AMR) before she was injured on the job and was unable to return to work.
“It destroyed me,” said Ailin. “I thought to myself, ‘What else could I do besides be a paramedic’? I didn’t want any other job. I love being able to help those in need and even save lives.”
For months, Ailin struggled with depression and anxiety while being unemployed. She considered going back to school but was unsure of which new path to start. Her willingness to help and her interest in computers is what brought her to Alliance Career Training.
“I’ve always liked computers,” said Ailin. “I needed to find a new career that involved helping people in some type of way, and for me, I thought maybe fixing a computer for someone could bring me the same happiness as I once had.”
On October 29, 2018, Ailin became a student in the 19-week CompTIA A+ Plus Help Desk Skills Program, with the goal of completing a CompTIA A+ Certification and starting a new career in Information Technology.
“The beginning of the program wasn’t easy for me,” she said. “But after a few weeks, I realized that just because it was challenging, didn’t mean I couldn’t do the job and the fact that it was a challenge, made me enjoy the program even more.”
Before starting the program, Ailin was self-conscious about her skills and was hesitant to go back to school.
“I’m so thankful that I was able to have this opportunity at Alliance,” said Ailin. “You know, I’ve been to colleges like Hartnell before and what makes Alliance so different is that the professors and staff here actually make time for their students. Plus, it would have taken me two years to complete this type of certification at Hartnell, where at Alliance it only took me about four or so months.”
Ailin mentioned that she feels much more confident in herself than ever before and is much happier overall in her life.
“Having Bill Koresko as an instructor was great,” she said. “He’s so intelligent and wants you to be challenged. After taking the program with him, I feel like I’m prepared to go into the workforce and start applying all of my new skills.”
Ailin graduated from the CompTIA A+ Plus Help Desk Skills Program on March 26, 2019, and is now CompTIA A+ certified.
“I was so happy that I was able to really get the training I needed to become certified. I think it’s great that Alliance offers one-on-one training, and that if an individual wants to learn more than what’s being taught, they’ll go above and beyond to provide more in-depth training and even take time after class to stay and help.”
Looking Forward
A few short days after receiving her CompTIA A+ certification, Ailin has already accepted a full-time position with a locally recognized company in the IT industry.
