Speaker: Robin Lee, Instructor Mentor
Introduce yourself! What is your role and how long have you been with ACI Learning?
Robin Lee: Hello. My name is Robin Lee. I've been with ACI for a little over a year and a half. I'm coming up on my second year, it'll be two years in March.
Tell us about your professional journey.
Robin Lee: Well, I first got into IT back in 2008 as a Marine Corps officer. I became a communications officer, before that I was in the healthcare industry. I have a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology. I worked in a hospital for about 3 years before I joined the military. Then I was a corpsman, enlisted as a corpsman for close to 4.5 years, and then I decided to get my commission. That's when I became a Marine Corps officer and during MOS I decided to do communications and that started my journey in communications. I was a COMO for a couple of battalions and then I was a director of communications for military installation base, and then after I got out I decided I wanted to try something different. I did the restaurant industry for a while for about a year and a half and then decided that wasn't for me, decided to come back to IT. When I decided to come back, I didn't have any certificates. So I went to a trade school similar to ACI and got some certifications. Then the same school, since I did so well, offered me a job teaching and that's when I was first introduced to teaching. I loved it, fell in love with teaching and then I moved from that company to ACI about a year and a half ago and been teaching ever since, and I plan to be teaching for a long time. I find it's a passion of mine and teaching IT is even better. So, and that's been my professional journey.
What is your favorite thing about the IT industry?
Robin Lee: My favorite thing about the IT industry is the IT industry will always be around, it's always changing, there's always something new to learn, it's innovative. It is the industry that's going to run the future. As I always tell my students after all the jobs are gone, all that's gonna be left is IT jobs. So that's one of the things that I really love about the industry that it's ever changing and it's always gonna be around.
What has been the most valuable lesson you have learned from your education?
Robin Lee: My most important lesson about my education in IT is fortune favors the bold. Every time I've taken chances, really gone out there and explored, done new things, it's always come out for the better. So one thing I've noticed is that always look at the positive side and attitude makes a huge difference in whatever you do in the IT field. It really stems to a lot of the saying goes that there's not really lucky or unlucky people and luck is only preparation meets opportunity. I find that very, very true when it comes to the IT field and it's all about how you look at it, what you're gonna do with what you have, and what's available to you. I really believe that attitude is everything and to really go out there and really try new things. Take that certification, go out and try to learn new things - things that you don't think that you could possibly comprehend or get a grasp on. So, definitely fortune favors the bold.
What's something you want students to know about you?
Robin Lee: One thing I want students to know about me is that I, like a lot of students that come to ACI, I have changed industry in the middle of my life and so I got into IT at age 32, and I haven't looked back since. It was a hard transition, yet whatever it is that you're doing in life if you stick with it, it's gonna happen. It's all about trying to get to the point where you just recognize concepts and vocabulary and try to relax. A lot of times people think that when they're going into IT that they have to know everything all the time, trust the process and really just relax and enjoy the ride. That's one thing I didn't do when I transferred and really when I was going towards for my certifications, I forgot to sit back and actually enjoy the process. I know it's easier said than done but it's something that everybody can do. I think I'm at a point in my life where I'm living my best life ever, and it's all because of the hard work that I put in and that I stuck with it no matter what the obstacles were.
What advice would you give to students starting out in the IT industry?
Robin Lee: Like I said before, no matter how hard the journey gets just stick with it. Understand that growth only happens when you're uncomfortable, right? So, being uncomfortable equals growth. If you avoid discomfort then you're avoiding growth. With that said, it's just one of the traits of the top learners in the world. Whatever happens, however you feel, understand that motivation will come and go but if you put discipline in whatever you do, you'll make it through and you'll always have the best result.
