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Before starting this program I was very nervous and scared because I didn’t know what to expect. Now after going through this program I was able to connect with great people and also build up my confidence since I get so anxious meeting new people. You got this! Don’t give up because you’ll be so proud of yourself and will get to see the great progress you’ve made since you started.

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First of, congratulations on taking the steps to  start or even continue your IT journey.
If you put the effort and time into the journey you will be surprised at what you learn about yourself and the knowledge you will gain through the program. Some stuff may be difficult and you may get frustrated because you don't understand, USE RESOURCES PROVIDED TO YOU! I cannot stress this enough, you will meet some great people in your squad and Merit groups that are always willing to help out.

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Don't Forget Your END GOAL, take one step at a time and you'll get there! Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

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In my experience, embarking on a significant personal development initiative, such as acquiring a new proficiency or altering one's career trajectory, can effectively recalibrate one's perspective and priorities. Through this process, I have discovered that I possess greater capabilities than I initially believed. Rather than focusing on perceived shortcomings, it is important to acknowledge and be proud of one's existing strengths and accomplishments, even if they are the result of mistakes or missteps. The mere act of investing in one's personal growth and improvement is commendable and deserving of recognition.

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I have to be honest, this course was challenging to say the least. But, rewarding within the same breath. You have to know how to balance your school life with home and work life in order to succeed! Don't be afraid to talk to your coach.. That is what they are here for. If you are having difficulties with some of the courses ask for help. Most importantly... Study... study... study...

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The best wisdom and advice I could impart to a future learner is to absorb as much as you can, really take in the core principles and put them into practice. If I hadn't put forth some sort of effort into learning the material and try to push my self forward then I would be absolutely clueless in were I want to go in my career. This course has some really insightful insider stuff here. Really focus!!!

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This program can definitely be intense at times especially if you're working full-time and have never been in a completely online program. It is worth it however, I've learned a lot through Merit America and have gained way more confidence in my ability to interview. Just stay positive, dedicated, and optimistic!

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The immersion phase was difficult at times due to the quantity of work and complexity of some of the courses.  I had moments where I wanted to give up but I decided that I didn't want to give up on myself.  My future self deserved to see me complete this program and take my career to the next level.  I hope that anyone coming behind me that has the same experience knows that they are worth every hard trial they go through to reach the finish line.  You can do this! 

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The immersion phase was difficult at times due to the quantity of work and complexity of some of the courses.  I had moments where I wanted to give up but I decided that I didn't want to give up on myself.  My future self deserved to see me complete this program and take my career to the next level.  I hope that anyone coming behind me that has the same experience knows that they are worth every hard trial they go through to reach the finish line.  You can do this! 

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Manage your time! When they say accelerated, they mean it. Get ahead of your assignments if possible. Use scheduling apps and search through Slack as much as you can for help from your fellow learners. Remember, discomfort will only help you grow.

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Don't be afraid to be curious ask question and stay open minded. You can never know to much stay genuine in answer and response. This will all help for a bigger better future.

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You got this! Make sure you keep your laptop up to date and utilize all mock interview opportunities.

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I have gained so many technical and professional skills that I previously thought I was good at until I got here and realized I was actually pretty rusty and needed a little tuning up.

To my surprise, I learned a lot about myself during this program. I learned that I am far more capable than I ever gave myself credit for and I assure you that you are worthy and capable of whatever you set your mind to.

I gained a few new friendships over the course of this program. I am super thankful for that and the opportunity to feel the togetherness of the Merit community.

I can’t say that I wish there was anything I knew before I began the program, there weren’t many surprises as Merit does a great job of planning ahead and notifying you of what’s to come.

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I think in general when you take on such a big self-improvement type of "job" for yourself, like learning a new skill, changing career paths, etc, it actually helps your mind re-prioritize itself. I've learned that i'm far more capable than I ever gave myself credit for. Instead of looking at what you are lacking, be proud of what you are already. Even if you have made mistakes, the road has directed you here and that's a good thing. You're putting in effort for your own self improvement, and that in itself is enough!

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When I first started I never thought I would be able to able to make it this far. I took a leap of faith and I do not regret nothing about that decision. Through hard work and consistency I made it through, I said that just to say anything is possible. Merit America is wonderful, they provide great resources to help and provide support every step of the way. YOU GOT THIS!!!!

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I definitely feel more confident in my hardware configuration and network abilities. Before the program building a computer always seemed like some sort of daunting, mysterious task and I wasn't confident configuring a network beyond maybe changing my DNS. Now both of those things seem super simple and easy!

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I faced the challenge of working a full-time job while doing this program. The way I persisted was but managing my time as best as possible and not getting discouraged when falling behind. I pushed though and got caught up with my work.

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Whenever you find yourself stuck on a test that has a deadline and you are on that final chance & end up failing, it is not the end of the world.  I think we sometimes forget that this is an advanced program and (you feel like) all the work you learned up until that failed test doesn't matter anymore because you failed.  THAT IS NOT TRUE ... Try again and again and definitely reach out to your peers :)

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Before starting the program I wasn't sure I could do it. I was intimidated, nervous, but also excited. As I went through the program i gained more confidence and skills. Though the pace may seem fast and the course load may seem a little overwhelming you have a great team behind you. Lean on your coach and your fellow learners and remember you got this!

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This course is intense but Merit America gives you so many useful resources, utilize them as much as you can! Any time you get stuck, you can reach out to your peers via Slack and also reach out to your coach to help guide you.

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I found it hard to balance work life, family life, and the IT support program. Often days I'd work all day get a quick hour or two break then have to hop into a meeting or get some work done for the program. The way I got through that was by reminding myself the situation was only temporary, and while at the time it may be frustrating, in the end it was worth it.

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I have become more confident in my interview skills and knowledge of how resumes and cover letters work. I wish I knew before starting that the main course work for the program was about how to get a job and the technology was a secondary piece but am happy that I went through with it. Just keep on keeping on and dont give up.

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Make sure if you have kids that you have someone who can watch them or at least take them for a couple of hours to focus on coursework and meetings.

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How have you grown or changed in regard to your confidence/mindset?

How have you surprised yourself in this program?

What new relationships have you developed in this program?

What do you wish you knew before starting the program?

What challenges/hardships did you encounter during the program and how did you persist despite these challenges?

Press the + button on the bottom right corner to add your responses to a future Merit America learner.