Barback to IT Manager: Unconventional Path to Tech Leadership

When I look back on my career, I am amazed at how each role — even the ones that seemed completely unrelated to where I am now — helped shape who I am today. My path started far from servers and networks, in the fast-paced world of hospitality.

Starting Out: Teamwork Behind the Bar

In 2017, I got my start as a barback. I worked behind the bar restocking supplies, washing glasses, and helping bartenders serve guests quickly and efficiently. It was more than just keeping things running, though. That role taught me how critical teamwork really is, how much small details matter, and how to stay composed when things get hectic — skills I still use every single day.

Into the Kitchen: Learning to Multitask

After a year, I moved into the kitchen as a front-line cook. The job covered everything from preparing meals and managing inventory to maintaining food safety standards under pressure. The kitchen has a way of teaching you to juggle multiple priorities at once without dropping any of them — and to keep the quality high even during the busiest dinner rush. That discipline has followed me ever since.

On the Road: Meeting Customers Face-to-Face

Next came a stint as a delivery driver — a role that turned out to be more valuable than it might sound. Interacting with customers directly, handling unexpected situations on the fly, and delivering a good experience no matter the circumstances built my communication skills and my patience in ways that classroom training never could. Seeing a happy customer at the door at the end of a run never got old.

Taking the Leap: Discovering IT

Driven by genuine curiosity, I took on an unpaid IT internship. Short as it was, it turned out to be a turning point. I helped solve technical problems, supported staff with day-to-day issues, and got my first real look at what managing IT systems actually involves. That experience sparked something — a passion for technology that has only grown since — and it opened doors I did not even know existed at the time.

Stepping Up: Leading in IT

Since 2018, I have served as IT and Network Manager and Linux Server Administrator at my company. The role covers a wide range: overseeing network security, coordinating software updates, managing vendor relationships, and making sure technology runs smoothly for everyone who depends on it. I also lead projects and train staff, which has pushed me to grow as both a leader and a problem-solver in ways I did not anticipate when I started.

Expanding My Role: Managing Multiple Locations

More recently, I took on oversight of maintenance across six Anthem Coffee locations in Washington. The work spans equipment troubleshooting, facilities upkeep, and making sure each location stays fully operational day to day. Balancing this alongside my IT responsibilities has sharpened my organizational skills and my ability to adapt quickly — and I am genuinely proud of what that combined role has become.

Looking Back — and Looking Ahead

My career has never followed a straight line, but every step taught me something I carry forward. Adaptability, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning have been the constants throughout. Whether I was washing glasses, plating food, or securing a network, each experience added something real to who I am professionally.

I am grateful for a career built on growth and discovery. Looking ahead, I am excited to keep learning, keep improving, and keep contributing — wherever the path leads next.

Curious about my journey or want to connect? I am always happy to share stories or help however I can.