That was March of 2007.

By this time, I had been hearing the commercials for ComputerTraining.edu on the radio for a couple of months and had joked that I should take the Online Skills Challenge. I thought, “Why not? Everyone calls me when there’s a computer problem or question…why shouldn’t I get paid for work I’m already doing?” I continued to toss the idea around until, finally, I got online and just went for it.

I started classes in August of 2007.

It has not been an easy road for me. I’m a single mom of a beautiful fourteen month old girl, so finding time to study can be difficult. But even when she’s distracting me or I’m feeling guilty for not spending that time with her, I remember why I’m doing it all in the first place. I can honestly say that without my daughter, my family, and my friends, who include the staff here at ComputerTraining.edu, I never would have made it through the program. The teachers and staff here have been nothing short of amazing, providing me with all of the help and support I needed, whether I asked for it or not. On the days that I wanted to quit because it was “too hard” their encouragement kept me going. They truly cared about my success and that fact was never a secret. So I’ve continued to work hard and, with every baby step along the way, I’ve proved that you can do anything you put your heart and mind to.

I successfully passed the MCP exam and I’m currently studying for the exams I need to pass for the MCSA and MCSE certificates. With my MCP, I was able to obtain an amazing job with a growing company where the skills and knowledge that I earned at ComputerTraining.edu are not only valued, but put to the test every day. I work as a Customer Support Analyst, providing support to outside clients that utilize various CRM programs. I also act as a Network Administrator for my company, assisting with various projects and backing up our Network Engineer.

It is now February of 2008.

In less than one year, my entire world exploded into tiny pieces, which I then picked up and, along with the shiny new pieces that my education at ComputerTraining.edu gave me, I have started to build an even better life with a brighter and stronger future for both my daughter and myself."

Melissa Slapak
MCP
Customer Support Analyst/Network Administration

The people that I met while in class were great. Many of which helped each other every night with either explaining things as they understood them, arguing over the right way to implement things, or just supporting one another through a long six months of training. Our teacher was extremely knowledgeable and took the time to explain anything that we seemed to need a little extra help with. I now have been working for only a few weeks but the training I received here was extremely helpful in landing the first job which I am thoroughly enjoying since high school. It was a stressful six months but I feel I gained the knowledge necessary to successfully work and succeed in the IT field."

Nathan Casserly
MCP

"I've been good with computers since I was a child back in the '80s, but when I went to college, I thought I wanted to do something else with my life. Once I graduated from college, I had a lot of trouble finding a job in my chosen profession. After spending ten years bouncing around from one low-paying, short-term job to another, I realized that it was time to get back on track with something I knew I could succeed in. I had good computer skills, but lacked the credentials I'd needed to get my foot in the door for a career in IT.

That's when I found ComputerTraining.edu. It didn't take me long to realize that this would be the best opportunity I'd have to turn my career around quickly. Ever since I made the decision to sign up, I haven't regretted it the tiniest bit. The program is challenging, and it was a big investment of time and money, but I didn't look back.

These past six months have been the hardest work I've done in my life, even harder than my four-year degree was. But it's been worth it. I have my MCP and MCSA certifications, and I'm almost finished getting my MCSE. Thanks to my new Microsoft certifications, I was able to find a new job, at nearly double the salary of my last job, before I even finished the course.

The success I've had here has been a real boost to my outlook and my confidence. After a ten-year rut, I had been starting to feel like I would never have a successful career. My self-confidence was in the basement. Now, after achieving high grades in class and passing my certification exams, I'm feeling good about myself again. It's a really nice feeling to go into a job interview and have the interviewer be impressed with what's on your resume. My only regret is that I didn't do this sooner.

My advice to someone starting the program would be don't look back. This course is the start of a new phase of your life, one filled with opportunities. Throw yourself into it with all the effort you can muster. It's hard work, but it does pay off if you put the effort into it. "

Mark McKean
MCP, MCSA

"I had previously taken some IT classes and had built and managed my car club’s website. I have been self-taught and figured it was time to take the next step by getting certified. I have been in sales for eight years and realized that I needed to make a change in my life and in my career. I heard about ComputerTraining.edu and proceeded from there.

Everything that I had been doing on my own, I am now getting paid for. I am helping other people across the world to figure out and troubleshoot desktops, networks, and laptops and know that I will only be able to further my new career in the IT field, doing things that I love.

I never really had any fears coming into ComputerTraining.edu, but nothing is handed to you on a silver platter. I knew that if I wanted a better future, this was something I needed to do for myself and my future family. Persistence and hard work helped me get through the rough times, along with the support of my trainer and my career services department.

My advice to all new students coming into the program: Don’t give up. Study and prepare yourself for every class. My trainer was always there to give me advice and to help me though issues that I was having a hard time grasping.

I am now working as a Technical Support Representative for a company that is one of IBM’s business partners. I have always wanted to work for a stable company where I will have opportunities to grow as my skill-set advances. ComputerTraining.edu has given me the opportunity to get my foot in the door to further my career in the IT field. I now have a career instead of a dead end job. "

Chris Ionescu
MCP
Tech Support

"I am a college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. I have been out of school for seven years and have been doing okay for myself in the workforce, but have been having trouble with taking the next stop in my career. I considered going for a Master’s Degree, but did not feel I had 3+ years to dedicate to furthering my education. Because I have some computer experience and a great interest in IT, I decided to enroll in ComputerTraining.edu. After a few months of hard work and dedication, I made it over the hump and to the next level. My income increased by $13,000 with more to come and I am working for a well respected company.

Working full time and having family responsibilities makes it challenging, but in the end it is well worth the effort. It is important to set a goal and not look back. The people at ComputerTraining.edu will help you lay out a plan for you to reach your goals.

This program has opened new doors for me. It has allowed me to draw on all my work experiences and prior education to make me a well rounded individual with unlimited potential and a lot more success to follow."

Tori Miller
MCP
Customer Support Technician

"I have always been interested in computers. Even as a child, I was constantly pulling my Commandor 64 apart and trying to figure out how it worked. Therefore, becoming Microsoft Certified just seemed to give me the best shot at making a future for myself and a career of doing what I enjoyed. Now I can look at an operating system and know how it works and how to fix it.

I faced overwhelming odds to do the best I could. In this program I really had to push myself. Trying to make time for both life and the program wasn’t easy, but you need to make it your first priority. It’s only six months, but in that short time, you will really find out what you’re all about and what your future can hold.

Everyone from the Instructor, Career Services, and Admissions was amazing and actually want to help you in achieving your goals. It’s not just empty and shallow “we will” promises. Career Services really does work for you and the instructors have real world experience. I would recommend and HAVE recommended this program to several friends. ComputerTraining.edu changed my life."

James Williamson
MCP

"Trying to change ones career is a challenge that takes a lot of work, patience, and luck. But with the right catalyst, not only is it possible to successfully make that change in your life, you can open up opportunities for yourself that may have at first seemed unrealistic. My hard work, along with the education I received at ComputerTraining.edu, made my career change into the IT industry a reality instead of lingering as only an idea.

With the guidance of a first rate instructor and the insight and knowledge of a well motivated and experienced staff, not only was I prepared to tackle the challenges of a new industry, I was also educated on the variety of potential career paths that I may take well beyond the preliminary foundation of ComputerTraining.edu.

It is with great pleasure that I look back upon the training that I received from this school. From this experience, I can comment on the fact that with a lot of hard work, patience to stay committed to your personal objectives, and belief in finding that perfect job opportunity, a person can indeed make the move into an IT career. ComputerTraining.edu was the conduit that helped me to reach for my goal."

Walter Kihm
MCP