2023 Update My brother is gone. This is a bitter pill to swallow. It's an adjustment that I never wanted to make. Now that I have to make it the whole world seems impossible. How could he be gone is a question I've asked myself everyday since his passing. I go down multiple rabbit holes developing scenarios where he doesn't die, then I realize I'm only fooling myself. I
know that
the universe doesn't close a door without opening a window so I'm making a promise to myself that I will continue to give maximum effort everyday until I see my brother again...
If you're reading this, you are my witness.
I didn't want to socialize much over the past year because I was trying to get back to normal from the emotional crater left by Damien's departure. I needed to attach myself to something other than the grief I feel. I turned into a recluse and doubled down on my classwork. I tried to change myself, but I couldn't help it. I've always been a keep to myself kind of person. When I interact with other people I'm unbalanced. I have a constant stream of question in my head that need answers. People distact me from getting those answers. This in turn gets me frustrated to the point that I do something stupid. Doing stupid things out of frustration got me branded as the Ne'er-Do-Well. I don't know how other people do it. When they get angry they can get over it in a few minutes. My anger turns into rage and it lasts for weeks. You can do a million things right, but people will only remeber that one thing you did wrong. I have more than one thing for people to remember. I wasn't trying to give them anymore. The Ne'er-Do-Well Nerd was back and he wanted that degree. I ate very little, skipped way too many family events, I'm Sorry but I had to do this. I still love you Guys , I watched very little TV, and stayed up way too late on some nights writing papers. I didn't answer phone calls or text messages. The Playstation built up a layer of dust so thick I thought it was gone. I cut myself off from the world. I was a man on a mission, the world be damned. I am lost on everything happening in movies and TV, I have some binge watching in my future. I think I may have lost a few friends due to my unresponsiveness, but if they are true friends everything should work out. The hard work and sacrifice did pay off. In October 2023 I completed my capstone project At Western Governors University
The Ne'er-Do-Well Nerd has finally lived up to his name. I am now a College graduate. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurrance along wtih 15 active IT certifications.
I did it you guys!! After all the downs and ups.
CompTIA CySA+ ce Certification Issued by CompTIA
Earners of the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification have the skills and knowledge to perform incident detection, prevention and response through continuous security monitoring. Includes analysis of indicators of malicious activity, threat hunting and threat intelligence concepts, appropriate tools and methods to manage, prioritize, and respond to attacks and vulnerabilities, performing incident response processes and understanding related reporting and communication concepts.
CompTIA PenTest+ ce Certification Issued by CompTIA
Earners of the CompTIA PenTest+ certification have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform hands-on
penetration testing to identify, exploit, report and manage vulnerabilities on a network. CompTIA PenTest+
professionals have demonstrated the hands-on ability and knowledge to find vulnerabilities in newer environments
such as cloud and hybrid, web applications, embedded devices, as well as traditional desktops and servers. These
skills help organizations comply to regulations.
CompTIA Network Vulnerability Assessment Professional – CNVP Stackable Certification Issued by CompTIA
Earners of CompTIA Network Vulnerability Assessment Professional (CNVP) certification have the knowledge and skills required to scan applications and systems to identify vulnerabilities that can be used as a blueprint for improvements.
CompTIA IT Operations Specialist – CIOS Stackable Certification badge image. Issued by CompTIA CompTIA IT Operations Specialist – CIOS Stackable Certification Issued by CompTIA
Earners of the CompTIA IT Operations Specialist (CIOS) certification have the ability to manage the flow of a workplace and optimize day-to-day activities. These IT operations specialists have demonstrated the ability to analyze business operations and identify customer needs.
2023 Updates
I started my studies at WGU in May of 2022. I took and passed 35 courses along the way. Some of them were easy, some of them very difficult. One thing I noticed though is that the easy classes were only easy because I had been using the technology they were teaching for over 20 years.
It took me 17 months to complete all the classes. Some people have said that it could not have been that hard if I was able to do it so fast. To those people I say, read the above. For almost a year and a half I've been at my desk studying. While my family was out having fun, I stayed home and studied. When everyone else in the house was asleep, I was writing a paper. I was taking test when everyone else was at the movies. I made sacrifices to complete my degree in the timeframe I did. I have a family that supported my efforts. It took that perfect storm of events for us to do it.
If I were trying to become an accountant or change my career to a new field I would still be studying. I think of it this way, if you ask a cab driver to get a degree in driving they will do it a lot faster than a pedestrian that doesn't have a driver's license yet. I didn't spend time in classes that I could pass right away.
I've had some of the CompTia certs for a long time. Getting them again was not as challenging for me as it would be for someone who is learning these concepts for the first time. My first operating system was DOS 6. I use Linux as a daily driver. I dabble in websites. I like to play with networks. I've been building computers for what seems like a lifetime.
My first set of COMPTia certs (A+, Network+, and Security+) are lifetime and don't expire. They also did not count for credit at WGU. When I had to take another A+ course I was a bit annoyed. Then I realized that passing this class would get me closer to the degree. It got much easier after that realization. I now have 2 sets of CompTia certs, but I only have to renew one. WGU is a great school for people who have expierience and need a degree. You set the schedule. Take classes when you have the time, live your life the rest of it.
If you are new to IT (i.e., you've been an accountant and want to transfer into IT) in general it can be done, but it's going to be a much heavier lift for you. I wouldn't count on finishing in 17 months, but it can be done.
If you need hand holding in order to learn, WGU is probably not for you. It is based on the compentency model where you show what you know. You only spend time learning things you can't test out of. Why spend time in a class that you can pass right away?
WGU BSCSIA Description
The following information is from the WGU BSCSIA program guide.
Bachelor of Science, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
To meet an increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals, the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (BSCSIA) degree program prepares IT professionals to apply knowledge and experience in vulnerability management, risk management, incident response, and cyber defense to safeguard data. Courses deliver proven methods for information security in the topics of penetration testing, network security, cloud security, scripting, intrusion detection, digital forensics, security operations, project management, cryptography, and Identity and Access Management (IAM) to prevent, detect, and mitigate cyberattacks. This program features nationally recognized, high demand certifications in the field of cybersecurity.
Understanding the Competency-Based Approach
Practically speaking, how do competency-based programs like those offered at Western Governors
University (WGU) work? Unlike traditional universities, WGU does not award degrees based on completion of a certain
number of credit hours or a certain set of required courses. Instead, you will earn your degree by demonstrating
your skills, knowledge, and understanding of important concepts
Progress through a degree program is governed not by the amount of time you spend in
class but by your ability to demonstrate mastery of competencies as you complete required courses.
The benefit of this competency-based system is that it enables students who are
knowledgeable about a particular subject to make accelerated progress toward completing a degree, even if they lack
college experience. You may have gained skills and knowledge of a subject while on the job, accumulated wisdom
through years of life experience, or already taken a course on a particular subject. WGU will award your degree
based on the skills and knowledge that you possess and can demonstrate—not the number of credits hours on your
transcript. (WGU, 2023)
2023 Update 
2023 Updates
If I were trying to become an accountant or change my career to a new field I would still be studying. I think of it this way, if you ask a cab driver to get a degree in driving they will do it a lot faster than a pedestrian that doesn't have a driver's license yet. I didn't spend time in classes that I could pass right away. 
WGU BSCSIA Description
Practically speaking, how do competency-based programs like those offered at Western Governors
University (WGU) work? Unlike traditional universities, WGU does not award degrees based on completion of a certain
number of credit hours or a certain set of required courses. Instead, you will earn your degree by demonstrating
your skills, knowledge, and understanding of important concepts
