Donations for College Expenses
Donation protected
Starting over again at 52, back to square 1.
Back in 2002 I was laid off from my main field in IT. I spent two years trying to find a job in my field, but no matter how much experience I had or how many certifications I had no one wanted someone at my level who did not have a degree. So I took what I could find at the time which was in Construction. I thought it would only be temporary since, surly I would be able to find something soon in my field.
I worked hard, starting as a framers helper, (at 42 it was tough) then got a job as a residential new construction electrician. I worked my way up to crew foreman within a year then the housing crash came and I was looking for a job again. found a job as a commercial new construction electrician which is where i have been for the last 7 years. I still drive the same car I bought back in 1998 and live in a rented room with no retirement or savings. What little I had saved went into keeping my car running.
One day I realized that 12 years had gone by and I am worse off than I was back in 2002 and the future looks bleak. I have to change my life!
I asked my employer if there was anyway I could get some training or help with school, they basically laughed at me. Their response "man you're 52 we would never get that investment out of you."
So after a couple months of agonizing about what to do, I quit my Job and devoted all my time to becoming an engineer.
Now I have been accepted at Georgia Gwinnett College for spring 2015 semester. I qualified for a student loan which covers a large part of my tuition. I do need help with covering the rest and since I am basically working for min wage part time I need help with rent and living expences as I get my degree.
Please donate and share with your friends. No donation too small $5 $10 $25 $50.
Help me get an education.
Admission Letter
Student ID
Thank you for helping.
Albert Hardy
#oldguycollegefund
Work Experiance
Commercial New Construction Electrician
June 2007 - September 2014
Lin R. Rogers Electrical Contractors, Inc. | Atlanta, Georgia
Highly regarded as a hard worker, fast learner, and often given the responsibility to oversee personnel with many more years experience.
Selected, based on skills, attention to detail, and craftsmanship, to plan and install Complex Lighting Control Systems, Smoke Evacuation Systems (Trane), Complex HVAC Control Systems (Trane), and integrate for single point network access.
Wired and piped large commercial buildings. Built Electrical rooms. Installed and terminated large high voltage Panels. Installed and wired large transformers. bent miles of pipe.
3 phase high and low voltage, Conduit bending, High and low voltage panel termination.,
Crew Electrician Foreman
September 2004 - June 2007
Will Spurlock Electrical Contractors | Buford, Georgia
From rough-in to finishing, I planned and installed all electric wiring, devices, panels, and fixtures in residential new construction. I supervise, plan, and direct helpers on all electrical installations.
I improved installation process, quality, and productivity thru field training and direction of helpers.
I do side work involving commercial and industrial applications.
Consultant
January 1992 - January 2004
City of Commerce | Commerce GA
Planed and implemented network operations for the administrative branch of the City of Commerce.
Implemented their email system using Exchange and gave them a presence on the internet.
Planned and implemented network infrastructure during the building of the new City Hall.
Interoperated Windows workstations with AS400.
Developed security measures for Email, Website, Workstations and Users.
Close working relationship with City Leaders over a 12 year period.
IT Site Support Representative
April 1998 - January 2003
Polymer Group Inc | Gainesville Ga
Create users and groups, assign rights and permissions. Administer mass storage devises and maintain logical directory structure. Diagnose and repair problems in server, workstation, and network hardware, software and cable plant. Replace outdated servers, workstations, and network hardware as needed. Improved network, server and workstation up time. Redesigned, contracted, and supervised the installation of the data cable infrastructure. Traveled to other sites to troubleshoot ongoing problems. Responsible for telecommunication systems. Reduced recurring costs. Responsible for all office equipment. Responsible for the plant controlled access and closed circuit video systems.
Firefighter / Engineer / IT Officer
April 1985 - June 2000
Commerce Fire Department | Commerce, Ga
Smoke Diver, CPR and First Responder certification. Cared for and certified to repair, self-contained breathing apparatus and air compressor. Interior attack and search and rescue. In charge of department software and hardware, development of applications.
Systems Integrator/Analyst
March 1996 - March 1998
Apex Networking Technologies, Inc | Athens, Ga
Consulted on network operating systems, LAN topology, cabling systems, security, internet, intranet, email, network administration and management. Determined specifications for entire network from ground up. Ordered and tracked most hardware and software sold by our company. Maintained good relationships with distributors and suppliers. Ordered and evaluated demonstration equipment and software. Researched new technologies.
Owner
August 1992 - March 1996
COM-TECH | Athens, Georgia
Developed high end Service Bureau specializing in digital color prepress proofs and short run digital color imaging. Highly regarded by customers for attention to details and color quality. Implemented Windows NT Advanced Server to integrate Macs and Windows based computers. Implemented web and ftp site for corporate customers. This enabled direct file transfer for printing and storage. Printed high-end color documents for advertising, promotions, proofing and proposals. Sold personal computers, peripherals, and software.
Senior Customer Service Engineer
June 1985 - March 1994
Xerox Corporation | Atlanta, Ga
Provided service on owned or leased Xerox equipment to customers: trouble-shooting electrical/mechanical problems, retrofitting equipment in a timely manner. Keeping track of truck inventory. Trained and certified for Dell Computer Corp, by Xerox for Dell Service agreement in 1989. Selected Area Specialist on Mid-volume products and Digital Color copiers with training on 21 different products. Obtained senior status through proficiency. Awarded Presidents Club in1989 for the Atlanta North District
Awarded Par Club in 88, 90, 91, and 92.
US Airforce
Honerable discharge
EDUCATION
Professional,
July 1999
Implementing and Supporting NT Server 4.0 in the Enterprise | Atlanta, Georgia
Took the instructor lead class at New Horizons in Atlanta.
Certification,
February 1999
Internetworking with Microsoft TCP/IP on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 | Atlanta, Georgia
Certification,
September 1998
Implementing and Supporting Microsoft NT 4.0 Workstation | Atlanta, Georgia
Certification,
September 1998
Implementing and Supporting NT Server 4.0 | Atlanta, Georgia
Certification,
October 1997
Networking Essentials | Atlanta, Georgia
Certification,
October 1996
Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows 95 | Atlanta, Georgia
Back in 2002 I was laid off from my main field in IT. I spent two years trying to find a job in my field, but no matter how much experience I had or how many certifications I had no one wanted someone at my level who did not have a degree. So I took what I could find at the time which was in Construction. I thought it would only be temporary since, surly I would be able to find something soon in my field.
I worked hard, starting as a framers helper, (at 42 it was tough) then got a job as a residential new construction electrician. I worked my way up to crew foreman within a year then the housing crash came and I was looking for a job again. found a job as a commercial new construction electrician which is where i have been for the last 7 years. I still drive the same car I bought back in 1998 and live in a rented room with no retirement or savings. What little I had saved went into keeping my car running.
One day I realized that 12 years had gone by and I am worse off than I was back in 2002 and the future looks bleak. I have to change my life!
I asked my employer if there was anyway I could get some training or help with school, they basically laughed at me. Their response "man you're 52 we would never get that investment out of you."
So after a couple months of agonizing about what to do, I quit my Job and devoted all my time to becoming an engineer.
Now I have been accepted at Georgia Gwinnett College for spring 2015 semester. I qualified for a student loan which covers a large part of my tuition. I do need help with covering the rest and since I am basically working for min wage part time I need help with rent and living expences as I get my degree.
Please donate and share with your friends. No donation too small $5 $10 $25 $50.
Help me get an education.
Admission Letter
Student ID
Thank you for helping.
Albert Hardy
#oldguycollegefund
Work Experiance
Commercial New Construction Electrician
June 2007 - September 2014
Lin R. Rogers Electrical Contractors, Inc. | Atlanta, Georgia
Highly regarded as a hard worker, fast learner, and often given the responsibility to oversee personnel with many more years experience.
Selected, based on skills, attention to detail, and craftsmanship, to plan and install Complex Lighting Control Systems, Smoke Evacuation Systems (Trane), Complex HVAC Control Systems (Trane), and integrate for single point network access.
Wired and piped large commercial buildings. Built Electrical rooms. Installed and terminated large high voltage Panels. Installed and wired large transformers. bent miles of pipe.
3 phase high and low voltage, Conduit bending, High and low voltage panel termination.,
Crew Electrician Foreman
September 2004 - June 2007
Will Spurlock Electrical Contractors | Buford, Georgia
From rough-in to finishing, I planned and installed all electric wiring, devices, panels, and fixtures in residential new construction. I supervise, plan, and direct helpers on all electrical installations.
I improved installation process, quality, and productivity thru field training and direction of helpers.
I do side work involving commercial and industrial applications.
Consultant
January 1992 - January 2004
City of Commerce | Commerce GA
Planed and implemented network operations for the administrative branch of the City of Commerce.
Implemented their email system using Exchange and gave them a presence on the internet.
Planned and implemented network infrastructure during the building of the new City Hall.
Interoperated Windows workstations with AS400.
Developed security measures for Email, Website, Workstations and Users.
Close working relationship with City Leaders over a 12 year period.
IT Site Support Representative
April 1998 - January 2003
Polymer Group Inc | Gainesville Ga
Create users and groups, assign rights and permissions. Administer mass storage devises and maintain logical directory structure. Diagnose and repair problems in server, workstation, and network hardware, software and cable plant. Replace outdated servers, workstations, and network hardware as needed. Improved network, server and workstation up time. Redesigned, contracted, and supervised the installation of the data cable infrastructure. Traveled to other sites to troubleshoot ongoing problems. Responsible for telecommunication systems. Reduced recurring costs. Responsible for all office equipment. Responsible for the plant controlled access and closed circuit video systems.
Firefighter / Engineer / IT Officer
April 1985 - June 2000
Commerce Fire Department | Commerce, Ga
Smoke Diver, CPR and First Responder certification. Cared for and certified to repair, self-contained breathing apparatus and air compressor. Interior attack and search and rescue. In charge of department software and hardware, development of applications.
Systems Integrator/Analyst
March 1996 - March 1998
Apex Networking Technologies, Inc | Athens, Ga
Consulted on network operating systems, LAN topology, cabling systems, security, internet, intranet, email, network administration and management. Determined specifications for entire network from ground up. Ordered and tracked most hardware and software sold by our company. Maintained good relationships with distributors and suppliers. Ordered and evaluated demonstration equipment and software. Researched new technologies.
Owner
August 1992 - March 1996
COM-TECH | Athens, Georgia
Developed high end Service Bureau specializing in digital color prepress proofs and short run digital color imaging. Highly regarded by customers for attention to details and color quality. Implemented Windows NT Advanced Server to integrate Macs and Windows based computers. Implemented web and ftp site for corporate customers. This enabled direct file transfer for printing and storage. Printed high-end color documents for advertising, promotions, proofing and proposals. Sold personal computers, peripherals, and software.
Senior Customer Service Engineer
June 1985 - March 1994
Xerox Corporation | Atlanta, Ga
Provided service on owned or leased Xerox equipment to customers: trouble-shooting electrical/mechanical problems, retrofitting equipment in a timely manner. Keeping track of truck inventory. Trained and certified for Dell Computer Corp, by Xerox for Dell Service agreement in 1989. Selected Area Specialist on Mid-volume products and Digital Color copiers with training on 21 different products. Obtained senior status through proficiency. Awarded Presidents Club in1989 for the Atlanta North District
Awarded Par Club in 88, 90, 91, and 92.
US Airforce
Honerable discharge
EDUCATION
Professional,
July 1999
Implementing and Supporting NT Server 4.0 in the Enterprise | Atlanta, Georgia
Took the instructor lead class at New Horizons in Atlanta.
Certification,
February 1999
Internetworking with Microsoft TCP/IP on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 | Atlanta, Georgia
Certification,
September 1998
Implementing and Supporting Microsoft NT 4.0 Workstation | Atlanta, Georgia
Certification,
September 1998
Implementing and Supporting NT Server 4.0 | Atlanta, Georgia
Certification,
October 1997
Networking Essentials | Atlanta, Georgia
Certification,
October 1996
Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows 95 | Atlanta, Georgia
Organizer
Bert Hardy
Organizer
Lilburn, GA
