Susan Norman
TRiP 9 Graduate - (March 2001)
When I decided I wanted to change my career, I decided to go into the IT field. It seemed to be an area that was constantly changing and moving forward and because of that, I knew I would have many choices and opportunities. I used the Internet and Yellow Pages to find what kind of programs were available. Various schools sent me information, and I visited a couple of sites.

The TRiP program seemed to be the best way to go, by far. I liked the fact that TRiP gave me the choice of choosing a networking or programming track. Since I was pretty sure I wanted to go the networking route, I sought a program that would prepare me for networking and the Microsoft certifications. I ended up not just being prepared to take the MCSE, but feeling very well-rounded and grateful for the knowledge gained in other areas, such as Microsoft Office, HTML, PC troubleshooting, how to write a good resume, local and wide area networks, and even a little bit of programming.

Two of the most attractive things about TRiP were the fact I would be done in six months and the opportunity it gave me to get an internship with an IT company. I was not disappointed. The classes were intense and thorough. They moved quickly, and I was never bored. The instructors were very knowledgeable and were great about answering all of our questions.

I was offered two internships and chose Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC). When the internship was completed, I was offered a full-time job. The people at CSC have been wonderful to me and willing to teach me everything I need to be a good network administrator.

I loved every minute I spent in TRiP. All the students were very supportive of each other since we all had many of the same fears and desires about starting a new career. It was great being with people who could understand completely what I was going through and where I wanted to go.

Seetha Cheeti
TRiP 9 Graduate - March (2001)
Coming from a banking background with absolutely no knowledge of computers or where to start, I was excited when I was selected for the TRiP program. Computers have always fascinated me, and I felt my participation in the program would be the perfect opportunity for me to make a career change. The entire experience of TRiP was very educational, exciting, and informative. I loved going back to school and liked interacting with my fellow students and the faculty.

After the first two months of basic computer skills, I opted for the networking track. It was a very difficult decision for me, because programming also interested me a lot. Nevertheless, I chose the networking track, because I thought that it was easier to land an entry-level job in networking. I think I made the right decision. To this day, I continue to be fascinated by all aspects of a computer, be it hardware or software. I am now into my fifth month of my IT job as junior network administrator, and I am enjoying my work. There is always something new and interesting every day. Thanks to TRiP, I am doing a good job of it so far. I think the TRiP program is the perfect way to break into the IT field.

Michelle Green
TRiP 8 Graduate (November 2000)
I spent the first seven years of my 20's not sure what career I wanted to have for the rest of my life. First I got a degree in chemical engineering and found I couldn't really be happy as a chemical engineer. Then I joined the Army for four years, and, while that was an interesting experience, it was also not something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

When I finally realized that I wanted to be a computer programmer, the TRiP program was there to help me realize that goal. TRiP gave me a foundation for my programming knowledge that I am now able to take into the working environment and apply to anything I do.

The internship that I got through the TRiP program was a wonderful experience. I learned new skills on top of what I was learning at TRiP. The best part was that I got a permanent position with the company after my internship was over which made my transition into the IT workplace very easy.

The TRiP program was the best thing I could have ever done. I have found what I want to do for the rest of my life and the TRiP program made that transition very easy for me. If you are unhappy with your current career and you think that programming or networking is where you want to be, the TRiP program is definitely the way to go.

Razak Abbas
TRiP 7 Graduate (July 2000)
First, I want you to know that I have no hesitation whatsoever to sing the praises of the TRiP program to anybody at anytime or anyplace. The TRiP program just can't be beat. The quality of the instructors and administrators, the caliber of students the program attracts, not to mention its very low cost, all add up to one excellent program. Little wonder other state colleges were and still are beating their chests to emulate TRiP.

I consider myself a shining example of what this TRiP program can do for a person who wants to succeed in the IT field. I started as a complete computer novice, and I now consider myself a computer professional in just a few months of training and experience. What a transformation! Since I completed TRiP, I have had diverse experiences as a software tester, network cable installer, and help desk analyst. I have even managed networks doing backups and granting permissions. What I am saying here is that IT is a broad field with many different jobs to be done.

But then of course, the students have to do their part. This six-month, intensive training program requires that they sacrifice their personal life at times, study hard all the time and have a clear understanding of the difficulty they may encounter at first. It can be done, if they prevail.

Madhu Rajpal
TRiP 7 Graduate (July 2000)
My name is Madhu Rajpal, and I am a graduate of TRiP 7. I am 55 years old and have worked in the retail and restaurant businesses all my life. In the winter of 1999 I made up my mind to change my career to the IT field. During my search for the perfect IT training school, I met a student from TRiP 6, who told me about the program and that I had just missed the testing for the newest TRiP class. Not to be discouraged, I called the school and begged Pete White, the TRiP coordinator at that time, to let me take the test.

In the end, I did take the test, but didn't qualify--at least initially. Since I was determined to find computer training, I opted for a program that would prepare me for A+ certification. In January after the holidays, I decided to call NVCC to see if I still had a chance of getting in. To my surprise, I was told I was accepted if I shared a computer with another student or sat in class without a computer for the first two months until students chose their training track-networking or programming. I was determined to be part of the program, and I accepted the offer.

I was very excited to be a part of a new adventure. I got great help from all the students in the class, because I never quit asking questions. The first two months of training went at an easy pace. I asked questions of every instructor, so I could soak up as much knowledge as possible. I found the other students were well informed, well rounded, and like me, looking for a career change. The faculty and staff were knowledgeable and helpful to the students. The support I received from both staff and my fellow students inspired me to work hard in achieving my life long dream of entering the IT field.

This is a wonderful program. For me, no other private or public school can match the caliber of faculty, staff or curriculum of the TRiP program. If you want to work hard and change your career, then this program is for you. Of course, you have make sacrifices to achieve a goal of this proportion. By the time I finished school in July, I had my A+ and MCP certification and had passed four Microsoft exams. Two months later I got my MCSE. If you have a dream of entering in the IT field, then there is no better place than Northern Virginia Community College and no better program than TRiP.