Oh crap, didn't expect that to happen

I was sitting in my car in the parking garage, mentally preparing myself for my bartending shift—hoping it would be packed so I could make some good money.

I asked myself:
“Will there be cool people at the bar tonight… or is some jerk going to act like a total dick just to impress his date?”

Then I came across an ad on Instagram for a cybersecurity bootcamp! I thought, Oh interesting, and, while I was sitting there, I read more: “Make upwards of $80–$100K a year,” you say!!

That Monday I spoke with a student advisor. He explained the cybersecurity job market and the potential—and he told me they would help with job placement after I completed the course. That detail was key for me.

So, fuck it! I signed up, took out a $16,500 student loan, and committed to the year-long course. I learned a lot and genuinely enjoyed everything I was doing.

Toward the end of the course, the restaurant I was working at shut down on June 4, 2023. I went on unemployment and continued to finish the course. I got my certification, ready to embark on this new career path—and make $80–100K a year!!!

Spoiler: NOPE.

What the institution didn’t tell me was that job opportunities were rare, and when they showed up, there were about 200–300 people from the same course vying for that single spot.

So yeah—what they told me was misleading. The “$80–100K jobs when you finish” line? Not happening without experience or actual certifications in your hand.

Not only was I pissed and disappointed, I was also jobless and collecting unemployment… and most of all I was scared. I was back where I was in 2013: no job, unsure what I was going to do. I was determined to leave hospitality for a career I could be proud of—one that gave me weekends off with my little family and a content life.

During my unemployment, I created my own IT projects at home to build experience, became more knowledgeable about the areas of IT I actually enjoyed, and studied for certifications—all while sending out 10–15 applications a week with ZERO hits.

Later that year, in August, still unemployed, I came across Professional Institution of Technology and Accounting (PITA)—basically a tech trade school. I spoke with one of their advisors, who told me that since I was collecting unemployment, I might qualify for state-funded programs to get back to work and have my course paid for by the state at PITA.

I had no idea these programs existed. I worked with Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) and got my course paid for. I began the IT Support Specialist course covering A+, Network+ and Security+ through CompTIA. I started classes in February 2024 and attended Monday through Thursday until August 2024, studying my ass off because I was determined not to give up—even while unemployed.

From finishing my course in August 2023 till getting hired with University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in November 2024, I sent out roughly 200+ applications, got two interviews, was ghosted on one, and received 198 replies of “Although your application and resume are quite impressive, we decided to go with another candidate.” Getting kicked in the balls over 200 times still stings.

Yeah— the road was long, depressing, and disappointing. But I didn’t give up, and neither should you. I want to help anyone who wants something different—you just have to start somewhere and use the free resources available to you. And I know those resources very well.

Enjoy your Friday or Saturday today. Feel free to reach out if you want to chat or just need some guidance.

Rudy