Philip’s Story: Finding and entering a new IT career

Philip needed to change careers. He’d endured multiple layoffs and decided a career change was the answer rather than another short-term job. After researching careers in information technology (IT), he found the Avivo Institute of Career & Technical Education and entered Avivo’s IT Support Training Program.

“I was excited to start training,” shares Philip. “A lot of IT is figuring out and identifying solutions to problems. At my new job, that’s my every day.”

After graduating, Philip wasn’t done with Avivo yet. He knew he needed additional hands-on experience and, due to the pandemic, finding an in-person job would be tough. He applied for an internship with the Avivo Institute to gain that extra experience and was selected.

“Before my time with Avivo, I felt so not-needed and discouraged… I truly was frustrated,” shares Philip. “Now, since I made the dedication and got all of the certifications, I feel great.”

“Before my time with Avivo, I felt so not-needed and discouraged… I truly was frustrated … Now, since I made the dedication and got all of the certifications, I feel great.”

During his internship with Avivo, Philip helped prepare laptops for Avivo’s new laptop lending library to help Avivo students access training programs remotely.

“I got to experience hands-on set-up of computers. That was really helpful. Some stuff I did in the internship I do now at my job.”

Philip credits the trainers at Avivo for helping him earn important IT certifications, such as his A+ and Microsoft certifications. Those, combined with hands-on experience, helped him quickly land a job.

“Avivo really prepared me for an IT career… At the interview for the job I have now, they were asking a lot of technical questions,” shares Philip. “If I hadn’t had training like what I had at Avivo I wouldn’t have been successful.”

“Avivo really prepared me for an IT career… At the interview for the job I have now, they were asking a lot of technical questions,” shares Philip. “If I hadn’t had training like what I had at Avivo I wouldn’t have been successful.”

Now that he’s working Philip feels more confident. He has been able to plan for the future, knowing he’s working in an in-demand industry with frequent job openings.

“After I accepted the job I currently have, I had several more employers calling me… I had to take my resume offline because there’s so much interest,” shares Philip. “I definitely feel a lot better.”