Blog
Featured Networking Student for April 2019
Johnny Vitale
Bio
Hello, my name is Johnny Vitale. I’ve been working at Jack Stack BBQ (one of the most successful restaurants in KC) for almost 5 years now. Before that, I did an array of labor-intensive jobs like farming and laying tile. After being President of FBLA and Student Council President of my high school I thought I had my whole life figured out with college and becoming a leader in the business world. Unfortunately, two years into college I found out that College just wasn’t right for me and I was kind of at a lost of where to go from there, or how to be successful without it. Growing up in small-town USA with parents that only knew the small-town way it was a trek to find a path to being successful on my own. Nonetheless, I continued to work hard and persevere through the young stage of my life until life started to click and make sense. I, like most, had troubles finding my passion and what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Maybe even afraid of the success and the sacrifice it would take to get there. I realized there was nothing wrong with failing, nothing wrong with succeeding. One day it just clicked with what my core passions really were: to solve others problems, serving others with positivity and passion, and Technology. Bringing smiles to others faces and being that one difference in someone’s life that stood out from the rest.
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Q&A
Q: Why did you decide to come to Centriq?
A: After realizing these passions, and my desire for technology I started doing my own due diligence and researched everything I could about technology and how to become a part of it. I knew I didn’t want to go to college and couldn’t spend too many years networking and learning what I had to, to be able to hit the ground running. I looked multiple places and came across Centriq (the only place that seemed like they cared about their students, people, and technology as much as I did) after many of conversation with Russ I knew this was my launching point to the success I’ve always dreamed of.
Q: What class has been your favorite so far?
A: Knowing the bare minimum of computers, like how to use the internet, and click icons. My interested was piqued on how this whole computer thing worked, and how it was able to talk to others from the other side of the world. The growth in technology is a spectacle in itself, and I’d be pressed to say I loved only a certain part of what I’ve learned. But if you’re going to twist my arm I would have to say networking would be my favorite part. Just the thought of being able to create and build a network that everyone relies on to communicate and to share with is truly awesome. It’s like being an architect but instead of steel and concrete, I have routers, switches, clients, cables, and binary.
Q: What do you hope to do after Centriq?
A: A couple of my short-term goals after Centriq would be to land a job that houses my same passions, a company that is growing and wants me to grow with it. I’m the loyal type and would love to be able to see others succeed with me. My long-term goals would have to be leading the network engineering part of a business, building my own networks to perfection. The max goal would probably be running my own tech business or creating my own tech empire. Takes only one good idea that makes everyone’s life easier and with my passion for people and technology I can make that dream come true.
Q: What other hobbies and interests do you have?
A: Fun facts about me I was raised in a small town on a farm, and love to volunteer in youth leadership programs. My spare time when I’m not working, going to class or spending quality time with my pregnant fiancé I’m usually in a self-development book betting the person I am every day.