Richard Reichert spent 15 years working as a chef in Chicago, including time at the Art Institute of Chicago. The hours were brutal. Think 60 to 80 hours a week with zero PTO. Then COVID hit, restaurants went sideways, and Richard started asking himself a question a lot of people in demanding careers eventually ask: is this still worth it?
“Those 60 to 80 hour weeks were starting to catch up to me,” Richard said. “I was like, you know what, I think I can make a change now.”
What Made You Consider a Career in IT?
Richard had always been a gamer and a techie. After stepping away from the kitchen, he picked up a remote customer service job at a tech company. He liked the work, but every time he applied for tech support roles, he ran into the same wall.
“The only feedback I got was that I don’t have certifications,” he said. “I didn’t even know this huge world of certifications existed.”
A friend told him to look into it. The next day, Richard called MyComputerCareer.
“I talked to this lady named Rhonda. She was sweet and helpful. And then it was fast. Bam bam bam. All of a sudden I’m in class.”
How Do You Balance an IT Training Program and a Full-Time Job?
Richard enrolled in the ITSA program and took evening classes three nights a week while working full-time. He leaned heavily on flex time, where instructors are available for one-on-one help and extra study sessions throughout the day.
“I got my homework done as soon as I could because that freed up all my time for labs and studying,” he said. “If I used my Saturdays and Sundays, I had plenty of time to get everything done.”
The tough spots came when he hit Network+ and Security+. But the instructors showed up. Richard called out Jeff, Jacob, CJ, and Candice by name.
“Anytime I went to them and said, ‘Hey, I don’t understand this,’ they were like, ‘Let’s go schedule some flex time right now. Let’s get it.'”
One instructor, CJ, came in on her day off to help Richard study before a certification exam. He passed on the first try.
What IT Certifications Did You Earn?
Richard graduated from the ITSA program with six certifications: CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Linux Essentials, and both the Azure Fundamentals and Azure AI Fundamentals.
His study tip? Pen and paper notes.
“Hearing it, thinking about it, and then writing it down on paper and being able to read it again. I just retain information so much better.”
Where Are You Working Now?
Richard works remotely as a software support representative, where he supports law firms on a billing and practice management platform. No two days look the same.
“It goes from printer issues to a fatal error with the software to network issues with their servers. I’m doing a little bit of everything.”
And yes, he gets PTO now. “That’s something I never got as a chef.”
What’s Next?
Richard is self-studying for CompTIA Linux+ and plans to tackle Server+ after that. Long term, he wants to work as a network administrator.
“The certifications are kind of like Pokemon,” he said. “You got to catch them all.”
Any Advice for Someone on the Fence About an IT Career Change?
“The program gives you the tools, the knowledge, and all the help you need, but you have to show up and do the work. And if you do, it’s worth it.”
Richard shared his story on a recent episode of Get Into IT Live, MyComputerCareer’s live broadcast where graduates and industry guests talk about what it takes to build a career in IT.
Ready to make your own career change? Learn more about MyComputerCareer’s IT training programs and see how we can help you get started.