Wilkes Community College graduate A.J. Felts so impressed a proctor at the SkillsUSA competition that he landed a job on graduation day. Felts, who received an Associate Degree in Networking Technology in May 2012, competed in Internetworking at the state competition. One of the proctors works for Cisco Systems and recommended A.J. to the company.
After a series of interviews, A.J. received a job offer from Cisco. Felts and wife Heather relocated to Research Triangle Park for his new position as a Technical Services TelePresence Customer Support Engineer II.
Randy Gambill, lead instructor for Networking Technology, says, “A.J. told me how appreciative he was for our college, our program, Hardin Kennedy (SkillsUSA advisor), Michael Wingler (SkillsUSA advisor) and me for encouraging him to compete in SkillsUSA. His words were, ‘I landed this job as a direct result of SkillsUSA and our college!’”
Felts enjoys his new position very much. “My new job is simply amazing. Although it is very challenging, I could not ask for anything more than what I have been blessed with. I never imagined that I would be working for a company like Cisco Systems, but thanks to all the leadership, support and encouragement from my instructors, I am living a dream.”