From ‘Neopets’ to Network Engineering: A Jersey Girl’s Journey
After tossing my cap at Lacey Township High School in 2014, I packed my bags and headed to the bustling city vibes of Hoboken to kickstart my journey into the exciting world of computer science at Stevens Institute of Technology. You’re probably wondering how I, a gal who had no clue what she wanted to do in high school or even in college, ended up diving headfirst into the realm of network engineering. Well, buckle up, because it’s quite the ride!
My Journey into Computer Science
My journey down the tech rabbit hole began long before high school. Picture this: a young Carla, wide-eyed and glued to her computer screen, spending countless hours on Neopets, a virtual pet website. Little did I know that my obsession with taking care of virtual pets and designing my profile would ignite a passion for coding.
Through trial and error, I taught myself basic HTML and CSS programming to jazz up my Neopets profile – think sparkly cursors, colorful layouts, and even background music playlists. My knack for coding didn’t stop there. Oh no! I ventured into the world of MySpace and Tumblr layouts, pouring my creative soul into every line of code.
Fast forward to high school, where my love for math and science blossomed. Despite my school’s lack of computer science courses, I threw myself into the honors and AP curriculum, discovering my strengths along the way. Junior year rolled around, and the dreaded school science fair loomed on the horizon. The topic list caught my eye – “Computer Science.” Could I weave my web design skills into a science fair project? You bet I could!
My project, “How do Time and the Amount of Pixels Affect the Smoothness of an Animation?” bagged me first place and left my teachers and peers in awe. Who knew a small-town girl with no formal coding education could pull off such a feat?
Venturing into Network Engineering
My journey into network engineering truly kicked into high gear during my time at Stevens. As I delved deeper into my studies, I realized that computer science was much more than just HTML and CSS. It was a whole new world of algorithms, data structures, and complex problem-solving – a culture shock, to say the least.
But hey, Stevens had my back! With the support of resources and advisors, I powered through the tough stuff. My sophomore year brought internship opportunities, and I snagged one at TE SubCom (now SubCom LLC) as a system test engineer. Let me tell you, I had no idea what I was doing – but I was eager to learn!
As a System Test Engineer, I found myself knee-deep in inventorying, installation tasks, and a ton of Ethernet cable making (seriously, I could’ve built a cable empire). But amidst the chaos, I found my footing and even crafted a program to test alarms in line cards. Not bad for a college sophomore, huh?
But let’s be real – I still had NO idea what I was doing or how it played out from a high level. My priority? Well, it wasn’t exactly understanding the intricacies of network engineering. I mean, I was a sophomore in college, getting paid in a big corporate company filled with geniuses. I was there for the happy hours, making new friends, and experiencing a fun Jersey Shore summer.
Despite my initial cluelessness, something about the world of network engineering intrigued me. Maybe it was the camaraderie among my colleagues or the thrill of being part of something bigger than myself. Whatever it was, I knew there was more to this gig than meets the eye. So, armed with a curious mind and a newfound appreciation for the field, I dove headfirst into the world of network engineering by accepting a full-time Network Test Engineering role at SubCom.
Diving into the Technical Deep End
It took me some time to grasp the full extent of the technicality involved in my role. As a network engineer, I quickly realized that I had to dive headfirst into the world of undersea fiber optics. My responsibilities extended far beyond the realm of traditional networking – I had to understand the intricate workings of fiber optics, from testing and inspection to cleaning and connection.
In addition to managing fiber optics, I found myself delving into the world of power feed equipment, responsible for supplying power across vast oceanic expanses. Testing each component, adjusting voltage and current, and ensuring everything operated smoothly was no small feat – especially when dealing with equipment that produced over 15,000 volts!
But the challenges continued. I also had to ensure that switches, routers, and other network components were configured correctly and communicated effectively. After all, seamless communication among equipment was essential for the network to function optimally.
As a Network Test Engineer, I quickly learned that I had to wear multiple hats – a reality that kept me on my toes and ensured I was never bored. From testing equipment in Japan, Spain, and Norway, to tackling diverse challenges in various countries, my role was as dynamic as it was demanding. But with each new challenge came an opportunity to learn and grow, solidifying my passion for network engineering and pushing me to new heights.
Conclusion: The Adventure Continues!
So that’s the story of how a Jersey girl went from “Neopets” extraordinaire to network engineering enthusiast – and what a wild ride it’s been! From sparking sparkly cursors to wrangling undersea fiber optics, I’ve learned a thing or two about navigating the tech jungle.
As I kick back and reflect on the journey, I can’t help but chuckle at the unexpected twists and turns. Who knew that a love for virtual pets and funky MySpace layouts would lead me here? But hey, I wouldn’t have it any other way! The challenges, the triumphs, the endless Ethernet cables – they’ve all shaped me into the engineer I am today. And the best part? The adventure’s far from over!
So here’s to embracing the chaos, seizing every opportunity, and laughing in the face of technical gremlins. Whether I’m testing equipment in Tokyo or troubleshooting in Timbuktu, you can bet I’ll be bringing my Jersey charm along for the ride.
Thanks for joining me on this crazy journey. Stay curious, stay adventurous, and never forget to sprinkle a little humor along the way. After all, life’s too short for boring tech stories!
