IT ********* **** ************ *****
** ***** **** ****, who ********* **** *** normal ******* **** ******** working ** ******** **********, printers, *** ******* ******* admin *****, *** ** has ****** **** * niche ********** *** ******'* video ************ ****** ** ~90 - *** *******.
***** **** ******, **** system *** ** ******, DVR ***** ******, *** Will *** **** ** the **** **** '******** upgraded' *** ****** ** a *** ***** ******* video ******. ** * student *********, *** **** goal ** ********** ******* with ******* ********* ******* that ** *** ********* eventually **** * ******.
**** ********* *** ********** with *** ***** ************ system *** ******* * desire ** ***** **** and ******* ****** *********, such **** *** *** he *** ******** ** into * ****-**** *** and ****** ****.
Makeup ** ******* ******
****** * ****** *******, his ******'* ******** ****** system *** ******* ** be *******-***** ********* ********* *********** ********.
** ****, ***** ******** are ******** *********** **************. *** ******* ******** both *** ********* *** existing *******. **** ********* the **** ********* ****** using ******** *** *** analog ******* ******* *** to ******** ********** ** the ******'* ****** *********** coax ***** *******.
**** **** **** **** his ********** ********** *** not ******** ** ******* or ****** *********, *** like **** ** ******, they **** **** ***** to ********* *** ******** the ****** ***** *** choice *** **** ** others ** *** ******.
Upgraded ****** ***** *** ********
**** **** *** **** native *** ** ************* of *****'* ****** ** a *** ****, ***** the *****-******* *********** *********** of *** ******.******* ******** is *** ******* *********** of *** ****** ** a *****. ** **** none ** *** ******* parts ** *** ****** are * ******* ******* for *** ** ****.
**** *** *** ***** any ********** ********, ******* us **** ******* ********** with *** ****** ** good. **** ********* **** his ****** *** ** ongoing ******* ******** **** the ********** ********** *** deeper ******, *** ******* aside **** *******, ******** support *** **** ****** so ***.
Other ************ **********
*************, **** **** *** school's ***** ****** ** not *** **** **********. Will **** '*****-*******' ****** and ******* ** ********* ***** ***** ********** ********* ******** ******** radios *** * ***** business.
*** **** ** **** system ** ***** ***** large, ** ~** *******, but **** ***** *** usability ** *** ****** is ************* *********. **** tells ** *** **** reason *** ******** *** ******** was ******* ** *** pricing, *** *********** ******* of ********.
Excited ***** ********, ****** ***** ***** *******
**** ***** ** ***** that ******** ******** ******* especially ******** ***, *** he ** ******** *** future ********* ** ******* and ******* *** ********* in *** *****.
** ********* *** ****-**** school ***** *** ***** firming ** *** ** is *** ********* ** which *******, **********, ** tradeschool ** **** ******.
*******, **** ** ***** focused ** ********* *** knowledge ***, *** ** is ********* ******** *** CompTIA **************, *** ** generally ******* ** ** certifications *** ******** ***** the ****** ***** **.
Project **** *********
** ***** ** ***** aspects ** ****** **** about ********-****, **** ****** surprising *******. *** "***** ** Finish" ***** ** *********** security ********** ******** ****** from ****** *******, ** install, ** ******** ********** systems ** **** ** what **** ******** ** most *********. ** ******** feeling ************ ** ****** video ************ ********* ** areas **** ********** *** none ** *** *******, and *** ******* ******* to *********** ********* ***** provides.
Video ****** **************
**** **** ***** ** clear **** *** ******** expands ****** **** **********. He **** ****** ************ in '******* ****** ***********' with *****, *** *** it ** ***** **** to *********** *** ******* unfortunate ******. ****** ***, Will ***** ******* ** help ** ***** ** deter '*** *** ****'.
Compensation *** ***** ********... ***
*** ****** *** *********** part ** ****'* ******** in ******* ** ******** as * ******: ******* compensation.
******* ******** ********** ******** *** compensation ** ***** ***** ** a ******* ** ********** ***** young ****** ** ********, because ***** ********** *** frequently **** ******** **** in ***** '**-*******' *******, especially ***** *** *****-******** 'Silicon ******' ******** ******* by ********* **** ******, Google, ** ********.
*******, **** *** *** mention ****** ************, *** for ***, *** ******* first ** *** ********* career ******** ******** *********** and ********* *********** ****.
Student *********** **** *** ********
****'* **** ** * student ****** ** ** example ** *** * student-volunteer ********** *** ** a ***-*** *** ********.
*******, ************, *** ********* organizations ***** *** *** 'extra ****' ** ********** smart *** ********* ***** people. ******** **** ********** in ********** *******, ** in ****'* **** - a ******* ************ ****** - **** ** ***** not *** *********, *** the ****** ****** ******** operational ***** ** ****** ******* **** **** available.
***** *** ********, ***** types ** ************* *** not ********* **** **********, and '****-**-*****' ********* ********* carry *** **** ******. However, ** ************* *** a ****** *** ** promoting ***** *********, **** potentially ***** ******** ******* interest *** ******* ********* among ***** ********.
Job ********* ** ********** ******
**** ***** ** **** he **** **** * chance ** ***** **** time ******* ** * local ********** ***** * 'job *********' ******* ** his ******. ** *** focused ** ********* **** remote ****** ********* ******* and ******* ** ******* 'helpdesk' ******* *** * regional **********.
**** **** ******** **** Will ** *** *** it **** *** ****** on ********. ** **** him *** ****!
Comments (25)
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Where are these type of kids in my neck of the woods? Having a fairly specific career choice and interest such as Will’s is unheard of at that age. Based upon the IPVM introductions thread most of us just fell into these roles.
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Dave Arnould
Love this article. It reminds me of myself at that age working with my high school IT department installing the first camera system and working on anything related to IT. I had a high interest and wanted to go to school for computer science. Having an IT background in the physical security field is critical to the new technology that is replacing analog systems. Fast forward 10 years, i'll be completing my Masters degree and have a few certifications in the security field.
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Undisclosed Manufacturer #2
I’ve seen Will snooping my LinkedIn profile over the last few days and thought his overview was interesting, so it’s great to see IPVM spotlight him like this!
This is precisely how I got into the industry 20 years ago, running my high school computer labs, building PCs for the district and privately (which eventually translated into building all the 1st gen Vicon Kollectors), deploying the school district’s first LAN, even managing the school’s 60+ analog cameras on their four Image Vault DVRs.
Great story— the industry needs more guys like Will!
PS, Will... my high school had me on their payroll by my sophomore year (hint hint, cough cough).
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Undisclosed #3
Related: Should Talented Young People Get Out Of The Security / Surveillance Industry?
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Jason Meens
01/15/18 07:23pm
Great article! Will also reminds me of myself at his age. My first real job back in the day (1988) at age 16 was working in a computer store in sales and service. Building PCs, installing software, troubleshooting, maintaining the store bbs (yes back when 2400 baud modems were still the thing), etc. The owner who hired me was so impressed at how much I knew and my passion and desire to learn technology that I was hired on the spot. It is nice to this kid have such desire to learn and succeed and make a career out of it.
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Undisclosed #3
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Will Van Wickler
Thank you for all the kind words everyone! Also I would like to thank John & Brian for making this happen!
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Sean Nelson
01/15/18 08:48pm
Awesome! I was always aspirational but at that age I had no clue I would work in the security industry. I wanted to be an accountant! Glad that didnt work out!
If I could go back and do it I would work under the best and largest integrator in town, starting from the bottom and working my way up to different facets of the organization and paying close attention to how a well ran business works. Then from there you can decide if you want to open up your own business, continue working for your integrator, or pursue another part of the industry that appeals to you.
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Michael Silva
01/15/18 10:59pm
Congratulations Will!
I got started in the industry at age 14, and more than 40 years later, I am still loving it. The good news is that, unlike when I got started, there are almost an unlimited number of resources available for someone who wants to learn the business. Finding IPVM was a great move - don't be afraid to reach out to us collectively or individually when you need help.
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Donald Erickson
This is a great interview of a very impressive young man. It is great to see IPVM focus on the issue of how critical it is to engage future industry professionals at an early stage. Great job!
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Michael Gonzalez
01/16/18 02:17am
Hmmm, I'm hiring. Passion and commitment are hard to come by, the rest can be taught.
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Jeffrey Hinckley
Not only this, but he is polite, attentive, and professional, which is out of the norm for todays youth (I know Will).
My recommendation for those of you that have potentially interested youth: Invest in CompTIA certifications. Testout is a couple hundred dollars per year (full set has all CompTIA, Microsoft, and Cisco modules). I spent thousands of dollars at the local University for MCSE classes. I found they and the labs were much better presented with Testout. At a minimum Network, Security, and Server Plus to start. 529 funds can be used for this. Much cheaper than college.
I am finding now that the network/phone build and design/support companies in the area are starting to move into the physical security space. Hire the young network centric youth as quick as you can, if you can find them (like Will).
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Daniel Gelinas
Nice work Will! Keep it up.
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