$ cat resume.txt

Mark Thompson

Computer Networking Student | Future Cybersecurity Professional
📍 Florence, MS | 📧 Contact via sendmail

🎯 Objective

#!/bin/bash
echo "Transitioning from 17 years on disability to cybersecurity professional"
echo "Leveraging neurodiversity as a strength in technical problem-solving"
echo "Combining life experience with fresh technical knowledge"

📚 Education

🎓 In Progress: Associate’s Degree - Computer Networking

Institution: [Your School Name]
Expected Completion: [Date]
Focus Areas: Network infrastructure, security fundamentals, system administration

🎓 Planned: Bachelor’s Degree - Cybersecurity

Target Start: After Associate’s completion
Goal: Advanced security practices, incident response, digital forensics

🎓 Future Goal: Master’s Degree - Artificial Intelligence

Vision: Intersection of AI and cybersecurity
Timeline: Long-term educational objective

💼 Experience & Background

🏠 Family Management & Life Skills (2006-Present)

Multi-project coordination: Managing household of 6 children
Resource management: Budgeting, scheduling, crisis resolution
Communication: Mediating conflicts, teaching, mentoring
Adaptability: Handling unexpected challenges with creativity

🤝 Vocational Rehabilitation Partnership (2023-Present)

Self-advocacy: Successfully navigating return-to-work systems
Goal setting: Creating and executing educational/career transition plan
Documentation: Maintaining detailed progress records and assessments

💻 Technology Enthusiasm (1990s-Present)

Early adopter: Online since early 1990s (Prodigy, AOL era)
Continuous learner: Self-taught various technologies over decades
Problem solver: Family tech support and troubleshooting

🧠 Core Strengths

class MarkThompson:
    def __init__(self):
        self.strengths = {
            'analytical_thinking': 'Pattern recognition and systematic problem-solving',
            'attention_to_detail': 'Thorough documentation and precision work',  
            'perseverance': '17-year journey back to education and career',
            'unique_perspective': 'Neurodivergent approach to technical challenges',
            'life_experience': 'Real-world problem-solving and resilience',
            'teaching_ability': 'Experience explaining complex topics simply'
        }
        
    def process_challenge(self, problem):
        return self.break_down_systematically(problem)

🛠️ Technical Skills (Developing)

📡 Networking

Network fundamentals and protocols
Subnetting and VLSM calculations
Basic router/switch configuration
Network troubleshooting methodologies

🔐 Security Awareness

Security principles and best practices
Risk assessment fundamentals
Incident response concepts
Compliance frameworks (developing knowledge)

💻 General Technical

Linux/Unix command line comfort
Documentation and technical writing
Research and self-directed learning
Version control basics (Git)

🏆 Personal Achievements

🎯 Educational Return: Successfully re-entering formal education after 17 years
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Leadership: Raising 6 children while pursuing career goals
🧩 Neurodiversity Advocacy: Demonstrating autism as a professional strength
📈 Personal Growth: Transforming challenges into opportunities
💪 Resilience: Maintaining optimism through significant life transitions

📈 Career Trajectory

$ ps aux | grep career_goals
mark     1234  networking-student    ████████░░ 80%
mark     5678  cybersecurity-prep    ███░░░░░░░ 30%  
mark     9012  ai-exploration        █░░░░░░░░░ 10%
mark     3456  community-building    ██░░░░░░░░ 20%

🎭 Personal Notes

# What drives me
echo "Proving it's never too late to pursue your passion"
echo "Being different doesn't define limitations" 
echo "Meaningful chapters can begin when dust has settled"

# My approach
grep -i "authentic" life_philosophy.txt
> "Document struggles alongside victories"
> "Make visible the invisible work of transformation" 
> "Encourage others on similar journeys"

📞 References

Available upon request through sendmail command.

$ cat /dev/motivation
"We can usually do a whole lot more than we give ourselves credit for, 
especially when we put our heart into what truly matters to us."

$ uptime
The adventure begins now, and I'm grateful you're here to witness it.

Last updated: date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S' - Always learning, always growing