Hello, I'm Justin Freed, a passionate freelance camera operator and video editor, driven by a profound enthusiasm for Information Technology. As I embark on a career transition from the media field to IT, I recognize the intrinsic connection between IT and studio production. This realization, coupled with my early exposure to computers, has ignited my determination to pursue a career in IT.
From a young age, I've been captivated by the inner workings of technology. Building intricate structures with Legos and K'Nex fueled my curiosity and creativity, laying the foundation for my affinity for problem-solving and innovation. My teenage years marked my introduction to internet terminology, as I delved into the world of gaming and server hosting. This hands-on experience provided invaluable insights into concepts such as "port, port forwarding, IP address," empowering me to experiment with hosting my own game servers.
In 2022, while exploring career possibilities, a pivotal moment occurred when I contemplated the prospect of a career centered around server hosting. This led me to discover Coursera's Google IT Support Professional Certificate, which became the catalyst for my deeper exploration of IT. Through this course, I've gained a comprehensive understanding of computer networking and the intricacies of inter-computer communication across the internet, aligning seamlessly with my enduring curiosity for the inner workings of technology.
Get to know me
Cybersecurity Incident & Career Aspirations
In October 2023, a significant "Cybersecurity incident" impacted the company I work for, resulting in a complete shutdown of our warehouse operations due to unauthorized access by cyber criminals. The disruption caused by the attack, which rendered our internet-dependent processes non-operational, highlighted the critical importance of IT infrastructure and cybersecurity. Witnessing the profound impact of this incident sparked a realization within me – leveraging my foundational networking knowledge to address similar challenges in the future and ultimately pursuing a career in cybersecurity, potentially as a "white hat" (ethical) hacker.
Programming Endeavors
In addition to my focus on cybersecurity, I have been dedicating myself to self-teaching Python programming. While I possess prior knowledge in coding languages such as HTML and C++, I rediscovered my passion for programming upon encountering the readability and ease of Python syntax. Currently, I have a solid understanding of Python's basic syntax and have been actively developing a "choose your own adventure" text-based story game, where I have been experimenting with fundamental programming concepts such as functions, if statements, loops, and modules like the time module. The intuitive nature of Python has resonated with me, and I am keen on further honing my skills in Python before venturing into other programming languages, acknowledging the value of diversifying my language proficiency in the future.
Career Goals
Following the completion of the A+ certificate, my immediate goal is to secure a position as an IT support team member. Subsequently, I aim to continue pursuing additional certifications to further enhance my expertise and advance my career within the field of IT and cybersecurity.