Technology was my way out of a struggle. I believe this could be the same for you, and for those around you. It’s not the only way, nor is it a guarantee.
If you’re familiar with my story, you’ll know the importance of technology to where I’m at today. If you don’t, here’s a quick run down:
My parents had me at the young age of 16. I was raised in a single parent household, where I experienced immense struggle; financially and at-times, emotionally too. I made a promise to myself that I would never be in that situation again.Thanks to technology I’ve been able to fulfill that promise thus far.
When I was in elementary school, I was placed in a gifted education program called “Galactic”. This program introduced me to the power of technology through video editing and music production. Jump forward a few years, I began breaking computers & fixing them, then web & app development which led to a successful I.T. Consulting firm.
So there’s my story, but here’s what I have for you.
Whether you’re black or white, rich or poor, you can win with technology.
Technology is powerful. It’s not necessarily just a computer, or an app, or an entire industry housed out of Silicon Valley. For me, technology is how one understands it, applies that knowledge to the advancement of it, for the embetterment of an industry or society as a whole.
It doesn’t require formal training, or a degree labeling a mastery. It simply requires exposure, interest, and dedication.
See, technology at it’s root, doesn’t possess a bias. Whether you’re black or white, rich or poor, you can win with technology. I was able to work with many clients from behind a computer monitor, who at know point knew of my age, race, or lack of formal education.
There are so many three year old children operating and utilizing a parent’s iPhone to it’s fullest advantages. Now, if we simply begin to show those those kids the power beyond it’s marketed use, we’ll have an entire generation no longer limited by circumstance. It’s not just the instruction of “coding”, it’s the instruction of problem solving and critically thinking through technology.
Lastly, I must say: You can beat your struggle with technology, but you don’t have to go out and start a hot young startup in Silicon Valley. If you’d like, then by all means, go do it. However, I am saying, once you grow interested in the field, allow for it to push your growth, and apply that knowledge to your life, you won’t be able to be stopped.
Originally published at Jaylen D. Bledsoe.