Adam Shopshire
Strada Education Network
Indianapolis, IN USA
"I have learned to have a voice, but it’s taken time. Speak out and communicate with others about what you want."
Career Roadmap
Adam's work combines: Technology, Business, and Working with Others
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Speech Communication and Rhetoric
University of Washington
Certification
Business Relationship Management Professional Certification (BRMP)
BRM Institute
Certification
Microsoft® Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
Microsoft
Certification
Microsoft® Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
Microsoft
Certification
Microsoft® Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS Exchange)
Microsoft
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Business Relationship Manager:
Bachelor's Degree: Computer Science
Bachelor's Degree: Business Administration and Management, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
In high school, I was an athlete and a musician, but I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
2.
I attended the University of Washington, where I switched majors a few times before earning my bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication.
3.
I got married shortly after graduating from college.
4.
My wife and I started working for a nonprofit that helped students with their spiritual, emotional, physical, and social development.
5.
The company had a music division and I became a band director, touring across the country for a few years and designing creative ways to communicate spiritual messages through music.
6.
As my wife and I started our family, touring around the country became difficult, so we left the road and I started working for a friend who worked in technology.
7.
I worked as an IT help desk administrator and even became a certified Microsoft consultant.
8.
I began working for Strada Education Network as a systems administrator—I am now a Strategic Technology Partner helping business leaders implement technology solutions.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
I can't be an expert on everything. There are so many areas of which I have little understanding.
How I responded:
The technology field is broad and deep. There is plenty of room to bring your unique skills and desires to the industry without having to be an expert in everything or even anything. Become excellent at what you know and be willing to learn the rest.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I struggled trying to figure out what I wanted to do in college. I bounced around a lot of different majors before finding something I was interested in. Ironically, I didn't end up working in that field at all.
One of my children had cancer when they were younger and my wife ended up in a coma after having our 3rd child. Everyone is fine now thankfully, but that was a very challenging time. Work became my safe haven and I built a supportive network.
My transition to working in IT was not planned. My background was in communications and nonprofits. The change was initially challenging, but I ended up finding that my overall interests fit well within IT.
When I first started working in technology, I worked behind the scenes and after hours a lot. Not having interaction with others was really challenging. It took me a while to realize that this field is varied and that I could work with others.