-: Virginia Tech has been and
continues to be a grounding for me.
I really got pushed when I was here
and pushed, the bar kept getting harder
and further out and I appreciate that
because as soon as I went out and got my first job,
I did have that confidence that I could get out with...
My first job was a government job with the military
doing technology programming,
and I knew within the first three weeks
I had told my parents,
I was one of the best programmers in the group
and it was so funny because when I
was here at Virginia Tech,
I wasn't one of the highest level students,
so the quality of education that I got was key
but also the character of the person that you are,
the need to be a part of your community
and provide back and give back
and share your gifts with others,
I think has really been a driver
in the last half of my career.