IFT Instructor
Harriman, Tennessee, USA
Professional Websites:
www.barefootkauaiweddings.com
www.rainbowweddings.com
CIW Associate
CIW Professional
Master CIW Designer
Kim recognizes the advantages that CIW offers over other IT certifications because of its vendor-neutral approach to training. "[CIW certification] allows one to see the 'whole picture' rather than just one portion," said Kim. "After completing these series of courses an individual could specialize in one particular area and still consider other aspects of Web site development."
From secretary to IT instructor: Certification helps Master CIW Designer discover new career path
After performing similar administrative and secretarial tasks for 25 years, Kim Kruse wanted to break her routine and make a career change - quickly. Being over 50 years old, Kim needed to find a way to swiftly gain the knowledge she needed to start a new Web-related career and begin working immediately.
Kim enrolled in CIW certification classes at Pellissippi State Technical Community College in Knoxville, Tennessee to help meet her goal. In less than a year, Kim earned her CIW Associate and Master CIW Designer certifications. Since the state of Tennessee also has an Articulation and Credit agreement with CIW, Kim was able to apply her CIW classes toward her AS degree in Computer Information Systems Analysis.
Empowered with CIW certifications and a post-secondary degree, Kim put her newly minted skills to work immediately upon graduation. She accepted a position as an instructor of Information Technology at Tennessee Technology Center in Harriman, Tennessee.
"If it had not been for my CIW certifications, I would not have gotten my current position," said Kim. "I thoroughly enjoy teaching this [CIW] curriculum and at the same time expanding my own knowledge."
Besides teaching IT classes, Kim is responsible for maintaining the campus network, providing server administration and coordinating maintenance of the computers on campus for the Tennessee Technology Center.
In addition to working full-time as an instructor, Kim also has a small business in Web site design. She helped developed several e-commerce sites and used HTML to maintain existing sites such as www.barefootkauaiweddings.com and www.rainbowweddings.com.
"The CIW curriculum has been very beneficial, as I mainly design Web sites for small businesses," explained Kim. "Since they cannot afford a full-scale Web design team, the knowledge gained through these studies has enabled me to advise my clients and design Web sites to suit their needs."
Kim Kruse took a chance when she decided to change a career path spanning 25 years. Now she has found a career that she truly enjoys.
