Hello, and welcome to my website!

I’m Joel, a seasoned IT professional with a diverse background and a passionate drive for continuous learning and growth.

Growing up in a Deaf household, American Sign Language (ASL) was my first language, which shaped my ability to communicate in many ways. Although reading and writing weren’t emphasized at home, I was determined to catch up, which led me to take extra classes to strengthen my skills. This drive to overcome challenges has shaped the way I approach problem-solving today.

In 2016, I enrolled in St. Paul College’s ASL Interpreting program, heavily endorsed by my parents. However, balancing work and school proved challenging, and I made the difficult decision to pause my education. I went on to work in manufacturing up until 2019. A friend introduced me to the world of computers, and I quickly became captivated by tech and all the complex things it can do.

Inspired by this new passion, I left welding to transition into IT, by enrolling in Summit Academy’s Cyber Security program. Thanks to the support of my girlfriend and my strong academic performance, I graduated in the top of my class in 2022. My high G.P.A. also permitted me to tutor my fellow students prior to graduating. That same year, I landed my first IT role as an NSOC Technician at Atomic Data, where I gained hands-on experience with self-hosted servers, VPNs, home labs, and more.

In my free time, I manage my home lab and continually learn by pursuing certifications. My journey has taught me the value of perseverance, adaptability, and continuous learning, all of which I bring to every project I work on.

Thank you for visiting my site!