My Story

I spent my teen years growing up in Port Elizabeth, I would say that those was the most difficult time in my life. It was not easy seeing your friends getting wrapped up in gangs or getting hooked on drugs. It was not the poorest of places either but each family had their struggles. I needed a way it remove myself from that kind of life and luckily I realised that my education is the most important thing for building a bridge to a successful future. I had a dream and slowly I was taking the appropriate actions to form a start in my career. I matriculated at St Thomas high in 2004 at the age of 18, during the years there I fell in love with the world of technology. I knew I had to pursue IT as a career. My parents then took out a study loan and enrolled me at Varsity College where I had to adapt to the surroundings. It would prove that I chose the right field to study as I graduated with distinction in the top of my class, it seemed like the studying was never going to end but I held tight
To my dream.

I remember the joy of graduating, it seemed like a ton had been lifted from my shoulders when I received my diploma in 2007 - I was ready to face the world armed with just my college books, Diploma and my appetite to learn. I soon found it very challenging though; competing in a dog-eat-dog world for a job meant pulling out the stops and having a few tricks up your sleeve (or a uncle in the business). Having studied a Software developing qualification I had the necessary skills but lacked the appropriate experience. This would be the greatest obstacle in my career, I first slaved away at meaningless jobs, first a sales assistant in a clothing store where I struggled with frustration and boredom. I soon got a job at a German factory where they produced car parts, having a diploma and a passion for the IT industry I found myself frustrated, depressed and fearful at the thought of sweating in a factory, fettling and grinding away on items I have little interest in night after night and day after day for the next couple of years.

This is when I realised that one is only creator of his success, I then packed my bags, kissed my mom good bye and headed straight to cape town with a couple CV’s. At first it was tough, I physically went, with my best shirt and tie, knocking at the doors of different IT companies asking just for an interview or an opportunity to prove myself. Needless to say most of them did not have time to merely listen to a young graduate looking for a chance to prove he is worth their time. I remember a company (Spearhead IT Solutions, yes I remember your name) where I once wanted to drop-off my CV, the secretary was nice enough and found myself feeling sorry for her because her boss chased her out of his office yelling at her that he does not have the time for someone who is looking and willing to do work for basically peanuts to have a chance at an internship. Scrapping all the strength I had inside me together and not giving up I found myself at Torque IT, the secretary (Carmen) accepted my CV and said she will inform the projected manager there. I left to go do some window shopping (being the only shopping I could afford) when I just crossed the road my phone rang, to my surprise it was Carmen telling me that Mary (the project manager at Torque IT) wanted to see me, I was nervous as hell but Mary put me at ease. Mary then informed me that they were running a programme at Torque IT aimed at graduates specifically like me to train and offer them internships at respected companies. I found it very suspicious, it sounded like it was too good to be true. There had to be a catch I thought, and there was. All it would require me was to put hard work, commitment, dedication and perseverance into my training there, it seemed like a good deal to me. 3 months later and a MCSA course on my CV I was offered a internship at a respectable world renown IT company. Not only did I gain valuable knowledge there but I also forged valuable bonds with friends and IT experts. The courses were enjoyable and there was always a wise instructor to help if we had some trouble. I am now enjoying life and living my passion for IT; I thank and motivate companies like Torque IT and Microsoft to continue backing young graduates in obtaining their dreams. Thank you for helping me with the first steps on my way to a bright future in my career.

Preston