Josh Keely is a recent graduate from West Virginia Junior College Charleston. Before attending WVJC, he was working a full time job and working as a bouncer on the weekends. Working everyday was extremely exhausting and he was ready for a change! Josh came to WVJC and enrolled in the IT program. He originally thought he might be interested in the Business Administration program until he saw the IT lab. “I switched from business to IT because I saw in the IT lab when they were taking apart computers and it looked really cool. It was hands on and something I really enjoyed learning about.”
Josh said his favorite part about WVJC was his classmates. “You’re not going through this alone. I met lifelong friends while going to school there. We helped each other through things we were struggling with. It really helped me get through some of the classes. I enjoyed just about every class and teacher at the school. They all take pride in helping students succeed. Tom’s (WVJC’s IT Director) classes really helped me prepare for the workforce. When I asked work related questions about scenarios, he had the answer. It has helped me in the job I am in now and I am thankful for that.”
When asked what his ideal job was after graduation he said “I got it! I completed my externship at the University of Charleston and got hired as a help desk technician in February of 2018. I just want to be successful. I like staying busy and being productive. Success is not for the weak of heart. If you want to succeed you must be willing to make sacrifices, but in the end it is all worth it.”
His advice to other college students? “Time management is the most important thing. Use your time wisely. If I could go back and do it again, I would have managed my time better. Take your schooling seriously. What you put in is what you get out. WVJC is a very fast paced college, but that’s a good thing. What takes other people two years or longer, took me 18 months. I started college in April 2016 and have a job less than 2 years later. It’s all worth it, just take it seriously. It’s tough, but totally worth it.”