Dallas Systems Administrator Says Going Back To School Is The Right Call
Dallas native Johnny Johnson is a senior programmer analyst/systems administrator in the Public Safety Support Department for the City of Plano. A self-described "computer-nerd," Johnson has also worked for Nortel and 7-Eleven. After 28 years, he decided to go back to school.
Johnson went to Dallas County Community College District's El Centro College when it opened in the '70s and earned an associate degree in computer programming. He took classes from various computer vendors, keeping up with the changes in the industry. He took a few courses at East Texas State (now Texas A&M Commerce). Johnson starting working for Nortel as a systems engineer, then Southland Corporation, the parent company of 7-Eleven and through downsizing he started working for the City of Plano. After a serious car accident, Johnson decided to reassess his life and go back to school.
"I didn't feel satisfied," said Johnson, who decided to earn his bachelor's degree. "I started at Amberton; some people were my age, and I felt right at home. It felt like I was going to a club meeting. I loved the interaction. The grade was secondary. I really enjoyed discussing all these subjects. I never felt like I was learning something; I felt like I was finding out about things. I hated school as a child, taking college classes was a rewarding experience," said Johnson, who graduated with his bachelor's degree in general business from Amberton.
Johnson enjoyed his classes so much that he decided to go back and earn his master's. "Several members of my family have their master's degree – my wife, my daughter and my son. Going back to earn my master's degree gave me a tremendous amount of respect within my family." Johnson earned a Masters' of Business Administration from Texas A&M Commerce at the downtown Dallas campus.
Johnson's advice for those considering returning to school: "Don't force it. Don't try to cram everything in, you may make good grades but you may not retain the information. Going to class is the reward, the by-product, is that you are learning. I took courses without pressure. I would take one or two courses a semester. It changes you. You feel more confident by attaining the knowledge of your chosen field of study."
Robin D. Everson is a native Chicagoan who resides in Dallas, Texas. Her appreciation for art, food, wine, people and places has helped her become a well-respected journalist. A life-long lover of education, Robin seeks to learn and enlighten others about culture. You can find her work at Examiner.com
