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 With
the title of "senior network engineer," one would think Jon Hostutler to be older than
his 23 years. He admits to getting a head start on his successful
career by combining his computer hobby with information technology
education at Central Technology Center in Drumright.
That's why Hostutler has been recognized as a CareerTech
Champion.
CareerTech champions are alumni of Oklahoma's career and
technology education programs or student organizations. They
have found success in a career and attribute much of that success
to their experience CareerTech experience.
A Cleveland High School graduate, Hostutler,
now works for Sebring Systems Technologies, Inc. in Tulsa as
a senior network engineer. Sebring, is an information technology
and networking company, operational since 1984.
"I was one of those kids who always had a hobby. For some,
baseball cards and comic books are the way to go. For me, it
was computers," Hostutler said. "I always liked computers.
Old ones, new ones, computer games. . . you name it, I liked
it."
Hostutler enrolled at Central Tech during his senior year in
high school in 1997. He was in the computer programming and repair
program.
"I originally chose to attend a CareerTech computer
class just to learn more about computers," Hostutler said.
"I didn't realize how valuable the knowledge was until I
left and was in the workforce."
Hostutler was employed by Stillwater's Connecting Point and MCI
WorldCom before settling at Sebring Systems in Tulsa.
While at Central Tech, Hostutler was allowed to "job out,"
which meant he worked on the job, turning in a time slip to both
his employer and his instructor. For this, he was grateful.
 "Not
only did CareerTech let me job out, they also found a
job for me," Hostutler said. "I was gaining experience
and credit simultaneously, which allowed me to get into my career
much quicker, since I had the experience needed."
Hostutler is currently pursuing Microsoft Certified System Engineer
(MCSE) and Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA) certifications.
His continuing education builds on the basics he learned at Central
Tech.
"Simply choosing to learn a skill early, in my case computer
programming and repair, boosted my chances of finding a reliable
job, whether or not I want to continue in this field for the
rest of my life," he said.
Hostutler believes young people should strongly consider enrolling
in a career and technology education program at their nearest
technology center.
"If you have an interest or a hobby, my best advice is to
try to fit that into something you love doing and combine it
with a CareerTech education," Hostutler said. "That's
evident by students being placed in good jobs after completing
the programs."
And, Hostutler still has time to play my
games, too. In the last three years, he's been to six gaming
tournaments from Dallas to New York.
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