I sit today thinking about my just completed penultimate semester, of my bachelor’s program at University of Trinidad and Tobago, UTT in Computer Engineering. I think about where I started in 2016 and how far I have gone. Back when I started this program I was in year 6 of my time at IGT working in the repair center. I had settled into position as the junior technician after coming from the data center division, though I felt my unfulfilled, stagnant. I knew something had to change and I decided to change myself. I had to go back to and finish a bachelor’s degree once and for all.
You may not know this about me but have attempted to tertiary education 3 times previously. Each time failing for various reasons. In my teen years after completing CXC exam, as everyone called it back then, I enrolled in University of Southern Caribbean, USC to do Computer Information Systems. Back then it was Caribbean Union College, CUC. Due to financial difficulties I only lasted 1 semester. In hindsight maybe it wasn’t the best choice for school considering the family’s financial situation. CUC was not cheap to attend, one of the most expensive in fact. After that, thanks to the “Dollar for Dollar” program, remember that? I switched to College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago, COSTAATT to do an associate degree in Information Technology. I started off full-time at the Mt Hope campus. Remember when they were using Mt Hope as a school campus for non-medical students. As the years rolled on, I switched to part-time as I was in my 20s and I needed money. Eventually dropping out because I lost motivation. Years later I would try again with school at USC again. I would only last half a semester. This time due to crashing my car. 😉. It was many years before I returned to the halls of a university campus to try again. This time at University of Trinidad and Tobago.
I started with a diploma. As I thought it would give me the quickest way to a new job in IT. There I fell in love with networking. After completing it in 2020, I moved straight into my degree. When I am in the process finally completing. This past semester I completed my final project. I built a network monitoring system. You can catch the details on my github repository for the project. It has been a long road to get here. Even though it’s not over I can see the finish line. When I started this program, I felt I was behind, and everyone was passing me by. I now realize I was on my own journey. I can now look forward to completing this chapter. The had work has not been in vain but that is a story for another time.
Jemuel|Griffith 