National Guard Pilot Boosts Earnings with TechHire
For many working Americans, a job = a paycheck and not much more. We’ve heard from dozens of TechHired candidates who, for the first time, feel valued by their employers as a core part of the team. Entry-level tech jobs provide opportunities to actively engage in creative problem solving, allowing new hires to make an impact while furthering their on-the-job learning. TechHired candidates are filling critical tech roles — and their employers undoubtedly view them as key hires.
While Rhode Islander Matthew Connors was flying helicopters for the National Guard, he supplemented his income through a series of jobs to help make ends meet — and these gigs were not all that fulfilling.
We connected with Matt to learn more about how his tech training put him on a path for an exciting career as a developer.
“Matt brought a tremendous amount of authentic curiosity and enthusiasm to every TechHire Rhode Island event and welcomed opportunities to ‘collide’ with hiring employers. Access to affordable learning opportunities are important, and this extends well beyond the classroom to include quality interactions with TechHiring employers in safe learning spaces.”
— Bradford Ellison, Program Associate for TechHire Rhode Island
Name: Matthew Connors
Age: 28
TechHire Community: Rhode Island
Current Job: Web Developer at iBoss Cyber Security
Previous job: Unemployed, helicopter pilot for the RI National Guard
Skills: Javascript, Angularjs, React, Ruby on Rails, HTML 5, CSS3
What were you doing prior to pursuing a career in tech?
I have been flying helicopters for the RI National Guard for the past four years and have been in the Guard for nearly seven. While this has been an amazing opportunity, it has not provided me with full-time income that I need to make a living. This means that I’ve had to work several jobs over the years that have not been fulfilling and left me wanting more. At these jobs, I always felt that I could be easily replaced and did not feel like a core member of a team.
What training programs helped you get the skills you have today?
I originally connected with TechHire RI last spring prior to my LaunchCode class at URI. I had recently lost my job as an assistant project manager and was on unemployment. Throughout calls with the RI Department of Labor and Training to discuss my unemployment, I heard the TechHire message while on hold. I thought that it would be a great opportunity as I had always wanted to get into tech, so I called and learned about all of the exciting training opportunities that were coming to RI.
The training that I received at General Assembly and LaunchCode has been life changing. I essentially doubled my salary in less than a year. While still in its infancy, the opportunities for tech jobs in RI are constantly growing.
Do you see Rhode Island as a place for many opportunities in tech?
I think that what has been happening in RI tech is amazing! I am so proud to be in a forward thinking state that realizes that tech is the future and that everybody needs to be a part of it. Just look at all of the big companies moving here — GE Digital, Johnson & Johnson, and Virgin Pulse to name a few. Anyone getting into these tech classes will have a great opportunity if they just stick with it!
While I would have loved to find work in Rhode Island, but I actually landed a good job in Boston. I live in Rhode Island and take the commuter rail up to South Station each day.
What do you find most interesting about a career in the cybersecurity field?
I think cyber security is a very exciting field to be in these days. Not only is it one of the fastest growing industries but it seems that you hear about a new cyber attack/hack every day. I only see this industry growing and becoming more sophisticated as time goes on as more and more devices and personal data are potentially put at risk.
What helped you realize that a tech career was for you?
After leaving my last job I knew that I needed a change in my life. I knew that it was time to teach myself some valuable skills that not many people have. The day I left that position, I started to teach myself how to code. I’m also quite passionate about photography — and creating a photography site was actually one of the reasons I wanted to learn how to code!
I see myself working for a company or two over the next 5–10 years while I gain valuable work experience. After that, I would like to open my own tech company and see where it goes.
What were some barriers for you in pursuing a tech career and what helped you overcome them?
Believing that I had the skills necessary to get the job done. What helped me overcome these obstacles was having two great programs in RI that helped certify my abilities. I am now in a position where I can pay off my debt and finally be able to start my life.
What do you see as some of the biggest challenges to getting hired in tech?
Having a company trust that you have the skills and getting through the initial couple months learning the basics without seeing the big picture.
What advice do you have for others considering a career in tech?
It’s going to be tough to learn a new set of skills, but never give up. It will pay off in the end. Success hinges on being in a constant state of learning — and employers are not just hungry for new skills, they are looking for team members who are interested in continued learning on the job. A career in tech means tapping into your own drive and persistence.
This is the fifth post in our #TechHired Series, which features individuals from TechHire communities who have been trained and hired into great tech jobs. Interview conducted by Opportunity@Work’s Laura Faulkner.
