It is no surprise that getting a job in your desired field can be a little difficult, but with some diligence and patience you can get there. Eager to learn and get work experience, Los Angeles Pierce College cybersecurity student, Vishesh Joisar made it his mission to succeed.
In his own words, he shares how his motivation and passion has led him to grow into his career with a little help along the way.
I am writing to share my journey to multiple successful internships and a part-time job, with the hope that it may inspire and guide others. My name is Vishesh Joisar. I'm an immigrant from India, who moved to California, for college education and work opportunities. My journey began with my active involvement in college, where I actively networked and became involved with the Associated Student Office (ASO). This association connected me to a wealth of resources, including the career center and a job placement organization called Network Kinection. I then attended a resume workshop with Network Kinection, where I began working closely with a career consultant, Kaylee Doerr. Kaylee provided me with invaluable guidance, leading me to various job opportunities and advising me on filling out applications and follow-up strategies.
...it is clear that patience and diligent work management were key.
I landed my first job as an IT Tech Support at the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Although the process from application to the first day of work took three months, I used this time to clear my CompTIA A+ certification, which increased my employability. At LAUSD, I was involved in assisting students and teachers with the integration of new technologies into the classrooms post-pandemic. Meanwhile, I also started working at Build-LACCD as an IT Helpdesk Agent. The process took one and a half months for me to officially start working at Build-LACCD. Sooner than later, the demonstration of my abilities led to my transfer to the LACCD Infosec Department as an Information Security Analyst Intern, a role I continue to enjoy under the guidance of LACCD CISO, Mr. Patrick Luce. In addition to these roles, I managed to balance my academic schedule with various ambassadorial positions and a cohort. I worked as a Student Ambassador for the Foundation for California Community Colleges, as part of the Clean Cities University (Cohort) for the U.S. Department of Energy, and as a Mental Health Ambassador for Active Minds Org. The biggest highlight of my journey is when Kaylee informed me about a new position at Northrop Grumman. As an aspiring Software Developer, landing an internship at this multinational defense company was a dream come true. I'm able to work on real world projects that require a demanding skill set for its execution, I could not ask for anything better in terms of work. Looking back at my journey, it is clear that patience and diligent work management were key. The process was often long, and the economic climate made it challenging. However, I can assure you that the journey is worth it. Today, I can assure myself that I've got my foot in the door, and feel confident about a bright career in the Software Engineering field. This is after 5 years of perseverance, where I was constantly learning and passionate about excelling at whatever work I choose to do, and yet my resume wasn't reflecting my true skills at that point in time. Now that things have changed, I'm extremely grateful for Kaylee Doerr, who got me a break into the career I want to be in.
I can assure you that the journey is worth it.
A small side note on how I was personally and mentally able to make it through these times was to enjoy the little pleasures in life, may it be cooking, making music, yoga or going on walks. It kept the monotonous routine a little more fun without incurring any lifestyle costs.
I hope this story of my journey can provide some motivation and guidance to those who are currently navigating their own paths.
To whoever made it this far and would like to get in touch with me, I'd love to connect as well. You can find me at here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishesh-joisar/ or checkout my portfolio here - http://resume.vishjoisar.io/
