After earning his associate degree in Applied Computing with a focus on Cybersecurity in July 2024, Preston Hamby found a role that keeps him constantly learning and busy. He now works in general IT at DJ Engineering in Augusta, Kansas, handling just about everything tech-related. “I’m a system and server administrator, creating and working on new and old servers,” Preston said. “I do networking as far as wiring a computer to a switch to completely replacing switches and firewalls… I’m also involved in the cyber side, hardening firewalls, making and applying group policies. And last but probably least as well, I’m a part of the helpdesk. I do it all here, but it keeps me busy.”
Preston started his Ennovar journey in the Textron Help Hangar before moving to the ITRM and IAM teams. He credits those experiences for giving him the skills and confidence to take on a broad IT role. “Ennovar gave me the skills I needed to pursue a career further in IT,” he said. “I used to be incredibly shy, and working at Ennovar with a bunch of other people around my age really helped to open my mind up socially, which no doubt helped me make friends here at DJ and overall just have a better time.”
When reflecting on his time at Ennovar, Preston said what stood out most were the people. “I tried to talk to everyone I could in my area, and I made some pretty awesome friends along the way,” he shared.
Outside of work, Preston spends most of his time gaming or on his motorcycles. “Right now it’s Siege, Squad, and Path of Exile 2,” he said. “I have three bikes, and a year ago I started a bike Instagram page."
For current Ennovar students, Preston’s advice is straightforward and encouraging: “Keep your head up. I feel like I see a lot of news articles or social media posts from people our age that computer science and the IT field in general is oversaturated, but I feel like there are a lot of jobs that aren’t accounted for. Mine is an example—it was hard to find, but if you put in the work, there will always be one out there that’s right for you.”