Sometimes the right career path isn't the one you started on, but the one you discover along the way.
For Tyler O'Hare, that meant recognizing that while computer science and coding gave him a strong foundation, his real interest was leading him somewhere more hands-on.
Before coming to Centriq, Tyler spent time in college studying computer science and learning how to code. As he continued exploring the tech world, though, he realized his interests were shifting. He found himself becoming more drawn to IT and the opportunity to work directly with people and systems in a practical, real-world way.
That realization led him to make a change.
“I was in college for a few years learning computer science and how to code,” Tyler said. “But with all the changes in tech and learning more about things in IT, I decided to make a pivot into IT so I can do more hands-on work with people and systems.”
Like many students, Tyler's path to Centriq started with hearing about it from someone he trusted. After learning about another student's positive experience, he decided to take the chance and invest in his future.
“I heard about Centriq from an acquaintance who went here before,” Tyler said. “Hearing the great things about this place, I decided to take the chance so I can make my first step into IT.”
The first step has already helped Tyler discover what excites him most about the field. So far, his favorite part of the program has been the security portion of the course. For Tyler, it's not just about seeing how cyber threats work; it's about learning how to defend against them.
“My favorite part of the course so far is the security section,” Tyler said. “It’s so interesting learning about the different tools that threat actors use against companies, but then learning how to protect yourself from those tools so your environment stays protected.”
That balance of understanding risk and learning how to respond to it is one of the things that makes IT such a dynamic field. It also reflects the kind of real-world, practical learning Centriq students experience throughout the program.
Looking ahead, Tyler is focused on building a strong start to his career. His goal after Centriq is to break into IT and continue growing from there. Right now, he's especially interested in field technician roles, where he can stay close to the systems and hands-on problem-solving that first drew him to IT.
Congratulations, Tyler! We're honored to highlight you as our Featured Student, and we can't wait to see where your career takes you!
To read about our other Featured Students, click here.