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If ever anyone was determined to build an educational foundation for future pursuits, James Stone fills the bill. His exceptional talents and perseverance in overcoming obstacles inspire others to follow their dreams. James' success is all the more sweet because he was born with an eye condition that left him legally blind. "I don't take anything for granted," James said. "You just have to learn to adapt to life and want to succeed."
His successful college studies and professional employment are the results of genuine ambition to succeed. As a teen, it didn't always seem as if he was headed in the right direction. James dropped out of high school and worked for several years as a manager at an apartment complex. He handled the job well, but he wanted something more. He studied on his own to obtain a GED and began taking college courses.
James arrived at Brown Mackie College - Louisville with credits that put him well on his way toward a degree in Computer Networking & Applications. He was impressed with the number of faculty members who were working in the field he was anxious to enter. "I liked the time they took to explain how our studies fit into the real world," James said. "One teacher hooked up to a server during class so we could experience working on a live system." Motivated by the material he was learning, James contracted with local IT businesses to perform network setup and mapping while still in school.
His enthusiasm for the work led him to mentor students who were struggling, and volunteer to troubleshoot a network problem for a faculty member who couldn't connect to the internet. He secured an externship with the American Red Cross, where he helped maintain nine servers, and troubleshoot computer problems for other workers. "I enjoyed the work and gained experience," said James. "I helped others do their jobs easier, and I learned from each one." True to his character, he stayed on as a volunteer for several months after the externship ended.
After graduating from Brown Mackie College - Louisville in 2007 with an associate's degree in Computer Networking & Applications, James began employment as a Computer Repair Technician with UPS Supply Chain Solutions. "I look at a laptop, figure out what's wrong, order the part, insert it, test it, and get it out the door," James said. The UPS standard for 100% productivity is to complete repair on one laptop per hour. Supervisors have recorded James achieving a productivity rating as high as 198%. As a result, he became a candidate to be a member of the UPS Technical Support Group, where the work focuses on systems and networks. "That's what I went to school for," said James. "I'm going to get that position, and if I don't, I'll try again."
Personal Attention, Professional Growth
www.brownmackie.edu
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