My name is Willie M. Williams, I became unemployed after nine years of service to one of the big three companies in April 2009. The majority of my department (ISS) was terminated indefinitely. I thought to myself, ok, I’ll just find another job in the IT field because I knew I had a Master’s degree (even post-doctoral credits) and was well experienced to qualify. After four months of sending hundreds of resumes, I did not receive one interview. Six months later, I became worried and depressed because my savings were diminishing quickly.

For months after being told I am either over qualified or I had to have an IT certification for any job, I knew just having a Master’s degree was no longer secure. The only way for me to get another job in the IT field was to go back to school and study for IT Certifications. Being unemployed is difficult because I was used to getting up every morning to utilize my skills. I enjoyed my career immensely. With unemployment, I was getting four times less the money I was making when I was employed. It seemed unfair! I slowly begin to lose things that took me over decades to purchases and payoff. In September 2009, I lost my home and my car and with no other option, was forced to file bankruptcy. I fail into a depressive state. I wanted to go back to school, but I did not have the funds.

Then, I learned about a pilot program in Michigan named Michigan Works, “No Workers Left behind.” This program was designed to pay the tuition for under paid employees and dislocated workers. I qualified, then I met with a case worker named Roslyn Bradley and she told me it takes over three months to get processed through the program. Once I got processed, I could select the school of my choice (as long as it was approved by the State of Michigan). I reflected on taking IT courses at a technical school when I was employed, and I was very impressed with the school practices.

To my surprise, I found that school “Global Information Technology” in Southfield, MI listed as one of the approved training schools on the roster. Since it was in the middle of the normal school semester, I thought I had to wait until the funding was process through the Michigan works Program. I thought to myself, if I had to wait another two or three months for the new school semester to start, depression would have really taken its hold on my life. I could not wait any longer. I contact the school and met with the Account Manager. He understood my frustration and he could hear how depressed I way in my voice.

After we talked about my plan of action while attending GIT, and reviewing my resume, he was impressed with my passion and determination for education. In February 2010, I started my first class. Throughout the program, I was able to obtain five industry-level certifications: A+/Security+/Network+/ CISCO and several MCTS. In addition, I have passed two of three required courses for the MCITP Server 2008 certification.

Using this training and the certifications, I edited and redistributed my resume. In October 2010, I found long-term full time employment with a government contracting house which offered me a good salary and a generous benefit package. I work at the Warren Department of Defense Army Network Engineering Center as an Information Technology Specialist. Being unemployed is a humiliating experience. It took nearly eighteen months to find a job, while going back to school. Although my current position pay less than my former job, the benefits are great and I really look forward to waking up in the morning again and doing what I chose to do, IT!

Special thanks go out to Roslyn Brantley, of Michigan Works, Manish Modi and Esa Khalid of Global Information Technology for reaching out your hands and saying “Come in, yes, if you are
willing, we will help you.”

Willie M. Williams