Reid enrolled in 天美传媒 Bay鈥檚 cyber security program in August 2021.
When the pandemic prompted Phil Reid to pivot, he turned to 天美传媒 Bay Community College.
He enrolled in 天美传媒 Bay鈥檚 cyber security program in August 2021 and is on track to graduate with an associate degree in spring 2023. Until he enrolled at 天美传媒 Bay, he had spent most his career in hospitality.
It was a good career, but Reid wanted a change.
鈥淚 worked my way up the ranks in the restaurant industry, and when the pandemic hit, I realized I wasn鈥檛 satisfied with my day-to-day life,鈥� said Reid, 34. 鈥淲ith restaurants, it every night, every weekend, every holiday. I barely saw my family.鈥�
As Reid pondered his options, a friend who was taking IT classes at 天美传媒 Bay suggested that Reid consider enrolling. He took his friend鈥檚 advice, attended an orientation and decided to sign up for classes. He chose cyber security as specialty because of the career possibilities.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a growing industry, with so many paths to go down. The opportunities are endless,鈥� he said, with jobs in large industries like healthcare and finance, and with small businesses and big companies. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really across the board. With these skills, you can work in any industry you want.鈥�
Reid lives in Rochester, and recently began working as a computer technician with the Rochester school system. It鈥檚 his first job in his new field, and he鈥檚 grateful for the new beginning.
He鈥檚 also recently engaged. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not easy to do full-time school and full-time work and try to balance a life,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I have a great community around me at home with my fianc茅 and a great community around me at 天美传媒 Bay.鈥�
