Learning skills for tomorrow's workforce

Photo By Sgt. Shellie Hall | Joe Scanlan, a premier field engineer with Microsoft, mentors students during Microsoft Software and Systems Academy training at Fort Carson, Colo. Scanlan, a former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant and combat correspondent, provided Microsoft interview insights and recommendations before the students completed their first iteration of interviews. The students receive mentorship from both veteran and nonveteran advisors and Microsoft employees, who provide resources and lessons learned about the pros and cons of jobs in the IT field. (Courtesy photo)  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

05.18.2018

Story by Sgt. Shellie Hall 

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Oceanside, Calif., – In a world of constant growth and technological development, men and women desire the latest and greatest devices and equipment to connect with the world and those around them. Behind the innovative technologies are highly-trained professionals who specialize in programming and cybersecurity.

In an effort to better train professionals entering the information technology (IT) workforce, Microsoft created the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA). With the help of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University employees, Microsoft provides Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton-based service members and veterans an 18-week course to prepare for careers in cloud development, cloud and server administration, and cyber security, through classroom, hybrid and project-based learning.

Over the last five years, MSSA has transformed the lives of transitioning service members and veterans by providing the necessary skills to be successful in an underemployed IT industry.

After becoming interested in IT and cyber security in 2016, Cpl. Alex Scharnhorst, a Dubuque, Iowa native and intelligence specialist with G-2, Division Headquarters, 1st Marine Division, attended the cyber security cohort in Oceanside, California. Scharnhorst learned about MSSA, while preparing for the conclusion of his military career and knew this was an opportunity he could not pass up.

“The fact that we get to devote all of our time to independent study is just amazing,” he said.

Without the opportunity to temporarily step away from his military position to complete this course, Scharnhorst believes that he might not have been able to gain the knowledge, skills and certifications the training offers.

“Looking back on it now, I see how fortunate I was to have been able to go through this course,” said Scharnhorst. “The certifications we gain are very marketable in the IT industry.”

In addition to the classroom and hands-on training, students build resumes and learn how to market themselves in a business setting by conducting practice interviews to include videotaping themselves speaking. The students also receive mentorship from both veteran and nonveteran advisors and Microsoft employees, who provide resources and lessons learned about the pros and cons of jobs in the IT field.

Not only do the students gain the skills needed to be successful, they are also guaranteed an interview with Microsoft or one of its hiring partners after completing the course. MSSA graduates have been hired at more than 240 different companies including Microsoft, Apple, Facebook and Google. Joe Scanlan, a former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant and combat correspondent, accepted the position he was offered after his interview with Microsoft. Today, he is a premier field engineer.

“I earned the job of my dreams, which also allowed me to live in my dream location in the U.S. – Denver, Colorado,” Scanlan said.

Scanlan’s position requires him to visit commercial companies and military bases across the U.S. to teach their IT staff about a systems management product that can upgrade thousands of machines simultaneously. The system also provides active reporting on security patching across multiple machines, deploys software updates and installs applications. In addition to teaching staff members of various companies about the product, Scanlan provides health and security risk assessments, fixes broken components within the product and performs general maintenance. His position also involves communicating with the staff to ensure they are set up for success when his work is finished.

“The MSSA course is the opportunity of a lifetime for transitioning service members,” said Scanlan. “There’s a huge amount of companies that partner with the program and the opportunities are nearly limitless. Not all students get hired into technical positions either. Some go on to be program managers, sales associates, or account managers.”

The basic entry-level network and server administration skills Scanlan gained during the course is what he says helps him tremendously in his current position.

“Students truly get out what they put in,” Scanlan said. “No matter your technical background, I highly recommend looking into the program as an option if you have a passion for the career field. I had minimal IT knowledge prior to the course, but I still graduated and earned a fantastic technical position at Microsoft.”

• Date Taken: 05.18.2018
• Date Posted: 05.18.2018 23:01
• Story ID: 277628
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US
• Hometown: DUBUQUE, IA, US