The PE teacher reinventing herself with a new career in tech. Meet Sefora.
It’s not easy to leave behind a stable job and venture into completely unchartered territory, but Sefora, a former PE teacher with a career that spanned over a decade, felt she needed a change. Here’s how she moved to tech and became an IP Network Specialist.
I’d come to a point in my teaching career where it felt that I was ready to move on. It was very clear to me that I needed a change. I’ve always liked both sports and tech, but professionally, I had to choose, so I did find myself thinking, “What if I hadn’t taken the PE teacher route?” That’s why I eventually ended up at ICE Malta. Taking up learning again gave me the chance to reconnect with the interests I’d put on the back burner.
When I first started studying networking, it was all gibberish. I sat there thinking, “What am I doing?” I was the only teacher doing this course and everybody else had an IT background. But now? It feels like a dream come true, even though I never thought it would. In fact, I had the option to go back to education as an IT teacher and I turned it down—that says a lot. I feel that at this stage in my professional life, I wanted to seek new challenges and opportunities in my career.
So I sat for my Cisco CCNA exam in August and interviewed for my current position just one month later. My job is in core, which is pure network stuff, so this is the highest position you can have with the CCNA certification. After I first got Cisco-certified, however, I didn’t want to raise my hopes about being able to find a job. You know how tough it can be to land a job without relevant experience, especially if you’re not very young and just starting out. But it happened, and I’m very happy now to find myself in a job I like with plenty of room to grow, a good team, and the added bonus of remote working options. It was basically a risk that paid off, and I can’t complain.
In my role, we work with Cisco devices, so the fact that I’d actually got the certification made a difference. I knew that sitting for that exam would require preparation, but I also knew it had great value; it’s not just any certificate. I was motivated by the fact that it’s a well-renowned exam that would give me the upper-hand. Also, the skills I picked up during the course are directly relevant to my day-to-day work. The Cisco CCNA course gives you just the right foundations to build on.
Yes! These workshops really helped clarify some of the elements I was working with on the job. I found myself thinking, “Ah, that’s why we do this,” or, “So that’s how this works.” I was also looking forward to the workshops because the educator always had so much to give. He’s just amazing; from the intuitive explanations he provides to his industry expertise… He knows what he’s talking about. He lives and breathes the subjects he teaches.
Even on a personal level, I felt I could turn to him for support. I recently spoke to him to discuss the way forward in my career and he gave me solid advice. In fact, I think he’s one of the best lecturers I’ve ever had, if not the best lecturer. And I used to be a teacher myself, so I know a good educator when I see one.
Although I knew I wanted a career change, I wasn’t sure where to start. The thing is, we often settle on a career very early on in life, when we’re maybe too young to make the best decision. Once you’re older and more mature, you get a better sense of what you’d like to do, and that’s the right time to start learning again. The fact that I could apply for the Get Qualified Scheme meant that I could get most of my money back as well, and that definitely helps. It’s a win-win situation.
My first course with ICE Malta was in Graphic Design, which was completely new for me. Even though I didn’t take it further, professionally, I still do some graphic design work for friends and family every now and then, just for fun, so I don’t lose touch. The fact that courses are part-time made it easier for me to juggle my day-time job with my evening classes. I’d actually looked at other educational institutions as well, but I’d settled on ICE Malta because the courses were much more focused, which means they weren’t too long either.
Learning graphic design with Amanda as my educator pushed me to continue learning with ICE Malta because I knew I’d be in good hands. But it was actually the support I received from the Admissions team that helped me realise that networking was my calling.
Daniel was very understanding and he could tell I needed a change, so he invited me over for a chat so we could discuss my situation at length. The Admissions team helped me realise I could launch a new career in tech and gave me the back-up I needed. It was encouraging to know I wasn’t on my own. Before speaking to Daniel, I didn’t even know I wanted a career in tech, but he helped me figure it out by suggesting I sit for IT Essentials as a way to touch base with a variety of topics, since he knew I was broadly interested in the field. I was also very happy with the IT Essentials educator. Once I was ready to specialise, I moved on to CCNA, and the rest is history.
When I remember where I started and see how far I’ve come, it gives me a push to go even further. I want to become a networking engineer, the top position in the field. Completing these courses has shown me that I’m also capable of studying on my own, so I have no plan to stay put and sit still. I think it’s important not to become complacent and to keep pushing, and this is something employers value as well. And now that I have such a strong relationship with ICE Malta, I’m happy to further my studies with an organisation that has already earned my trust.
We often settle on a career very early on in life when we’re too young to make the best decision. Once you’re older and more mature, that’s the right time to start learning again.
SEFORA AZZOPARDIIP Network Specialist
