When I was interviewed for a job as Server Build Technician (SBT) in Dallas, I was a little concerned that I was getting in over my head. I let my potential manager know that I had very little experience with Linux but that I was willing to learn. I tried to show that I’d be a quick study, and the interview must have gone well because by the end of the day, I was offered the job. I was really excited to know that SoftLayer was willing to take give me an opportunity to finally start pursuing a career path in technology (which is what I was looking for out of school).

As it turns out, I was the only female SBT in SoftLayer’s Dallas-area data centers, so I felt a good amount of pressure to prove myself and step up my game. Luckily, my training took away a lot of those nerves, and it was also comforting to see that no matter where I was working (data center or office), I was welcomed by my coworkers. It didn’t hurt that I met some really cool people in the process, too. From day one, I realized that I’d been given an amazing opportunity to learn from some really smart folks who know their stuff when it comes to everything related to technology.

I have been here for around six months, and I can’t believe how much tech knowledge I’ve absorbed. I wouldn’t claim to be an expert in Linux or a MySQL guru (yet), but if my experience here is any indication, it won’t be too long before I know everything there is to know about every technology living in our data centers. When I run into a problem or a question I don’t have the answer for, I can rely on my coworkers to have the solutions and break them down into terms I can understand if they’re overly complex.

Would I recommend this job to others? Most definitely! This has been one of the best jobs that I’ve ever had. I’ve been able to take what I learned in school and actually apply it to my daily work life while continuing my real-world on-the-job education. If you have a server in DAL02 and need someone to check out the hardware or add some RAM, I might be the one jumping to get your request fulfilled quickly.

I’m proof that SoftLayer invests in its employees, so if you’re interested in an amazing job for a company who values you, I want you to be a coworker! We have positions in all departments available in Dallas, Houston, Singapore, Amsterdam, San Jose, Seattle and Washington, D.C. (and probably more location in the near future), so keep an eye on the SoftLayer Careers page for the perfect opportunity to join our team.

-Rochelle