Career Roadmap
Stewart's work combines: Technology, Travel, and Learning / Being Challenged
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Colegio Marco Salas Yepez
Bachelor's Degree
Information Technology
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Associate's Degree
Essex County College
Certification
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Software Quality Assurance Analysts & Testers:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Information Technology
Associate's Degree
Certification: Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
First, I started at a community college because I completed high school in another country.
2.
I transferred to NJIT to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering.
3.
I joined Phi Theta Kappa (A 2-year college Honors Society) and took a VP role in Web Management.
4.
Realizing I was not enjoying my major I switched to Information Technology.
5.
I decided to open a Tae-kwondo club in school.
6.
I reached out to Microsoft and got hired in Fall 2014 to start working on the summer of 2015.
7.
I completed the curriculums for the Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics AS degrees.
8.
I joined New York University to start an MS degree in Management & Systems.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
'Everyone thinks he is smart. His grades mean nothing. I bet you he will not accomplish anything once he goes back to the US.' 'No one will take you seriously because no one wants a gay person around.'
How I responded:
I was a very good student in HS. I graduated as the salutatorian of my school. Some people thought that I must have just cheated or that it was all just talk. At the same time some people found out about my sexual orientation and thought that people like me can't end up having a good career because people would just exclude me. Comments like these can be hurtful but should not interfere in your path. You control your path and you decide what happens. Don't let anyone say otherwise.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
College education in the US is not easy to afford. My parents made sure that I had a home and all the essentials but couldn't really help me much in terms of paying for my education. I made sure to keep up with Financial Aid and loans to get through.
I had a lot of issues with my parents for being gay because they both come from very religious families and their views were very closed minded. Thankfully with the years they have learned to love me for who I am and not worry about what people think.