Here we go again...

Well, it's time for another run. The journey continues, this time with WGU (Western Governors University). For those who don't know, WGU is a fully online university that offers competency-based education, meaning you can move through the material at your own pace and prove what you know, rather than sitting through a semester on a fixed schedule. For someone like me, juggling work, family, projects, and life, that flexibility is everything.

Why WGU?

I've been on this path for a while now, transitioning from Education Professional to Application Support then to Web Application Development. But now comes another shift, this time into software engineering and, ultimately, AI/ML engineering. Along the way, I've taken courses, built projects, and pushed myself way outside my comfort zone. But I've reached a point where I need to step back and go about this in a sensible way. I'm a lifelong learner, that passion to keep growing is what drives me, but passion alone isn't a plan. I need a clear, structured path, one that will actually further my career. That means starting again, this time with a BS in Software Engineering, building a rock-solid foundation, and then following it up with an MS in AI Engineering. And I need a program that fits how I learn best: hands-on, self-paced, and practical.

WGU checked every box:

• Competency-based model - I can accelerate through topics I already know and spend more time on what challenges me.
• Flexibility - I can keep working and building projects while earning my degree.
• Affordability - Let's be real, that matters. Enough said.
• Reputation in tech - WGU seems to be well-regarded by employers, especially for career changers like me.

Where I've Been

My path hasn't been a straight line, and honestly, that's what makes it worth writing about.

I earned my BS in Secondary Education with a focus on English Education - not because I loved grammar rules, but because I've always been drawn to stories. That same love of narrative led me to writing, teaching, and a lifelong passion for tabletop role-playing games. It still runs through everything I do. But life has a way of redirecting you. After working as an Ed Tech, I started to see technology from the inside, not just as a user, but as someone fascinated by what was possible. A long-ignored interest in tech started demanding attention.

Around that same time, a few things converged: I wanted to do everything I could to provide for my family, and I was watching AI and emerging tech reshape industries in real time. Then I picked up The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman, which crystallized something I'd been feeling; the world is changing fast, and I want to be part of building what comes next, not just reacting to it.

So I pivoted. I dove into an MS in Computer Information Systems, which I am just about to finish, studying server-side development with Node.js and Express, building full-stack apps with React and MongoDB, diving into REST and GraphQL APIs, and getting my hands dirty with authentication, role-based access control, and more.

Along the way, I landed a role as an Application Support Specialist, which has given me a deep appreciation for how software works (and how it breaks).

Then, last fall, while still in this role, I attended the 2025 IBM Tech Xchange, and it was a complete eye-opener. Being surrounded by people builidng at the cutting edge of AI, ML, and software development lit something in me. It pushed me from wanting to understand to wanting to create. I walked away knowing I didn't just want to work in this space, I want to build in it. That experience lit a fire under me to stop just supporting software and start building it.

Some highlights from the road so far:

• Nine Tigers Online Platform - A member portal for a Kung Fu school, built with Node.js, Express, React, MongoDB, JWT auth, and both REST and GraphQL endpoints. Still in progress.
• Trudvang Chronicles - A multi-step form wizard in React for a tabletop RPG, complete with auth and role-based access.
• A growing interest in cybersecurity and AI - two fields I plan to bring together as I move forward.

What's Different This Time

Every time I start something new, I carry lessons from the last round. Here's what I know now that I didn't before:

• Consistency beats intensity. Showing up every day, even for 30 minutes, compounds faster than weekend marathons.
• Build in public. Documenting the journey, right here on this blog, keeps me accountable and creates something others can learn from.
• Done is better than perfect. I used to agonize over getting everything just right before shipping. Not anymore. Ship it, learn from it, iterate.

What's Ahead

I'm genuinely excited about what's coming. Here's what I'm focused on:

• Completing my degree at a pace that pushes me without burning me out
• Building more projects, especially at the intersection of security and AI
• Earning certifications that complement the degree and strengthen my resume
• Growing this blog - expect build logs, technical deep dives, TIL posts, and honest reflections along the way

This isn't just about a degree. It's about building a career I'm proud of, one step at a time.

Follow Along

If any of this resonates with you, whether you're making a career change, going back to school, or just figuring things out, I'd love to connect. Feel free to reach out on LinkedIn, or check out my project on GitHub.

The road goes ever on.