Dillion Edwards

Jan 17

When I started this, I thought my experience with cyber and IT was virtually non existent at the start of my fellowship with Forge Institute. My background was in both aviation maintenance and a little bit of project management from my time as our unit’s Unit Deployment Manager. Through Forge I realized that everything I had done in my time in the Air Force had in fact had some sorts of IT attached to it. From using basic computer functions in our tech data for fixing aircraft to the more intricate software we would run programs that would perform diagnostics on aircraft. DOD Skillbridge was one of the best experiences I could have hoped for.

During my time in the fellowship, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up. I explored many options and ideas of what would be the perfect fit for me. Forge’s IT/Cyber Fundamentals course that they offer to fellows in Arkansas, I discovered through a coaching session that I want to be a project manager. It checks all the boxes for me, I enjoy working with a team and managing people. The fundamentals course also helped me figure out what aspects of IT and cyber both interests me and what I thought was super boring and I do not want to do in a career.

The fellows at Forge have been of great knowledge to helping with my transition from the active-duty world. It is a family type of feeling, knowing that we are all going through this scary and exciting time in our lives. Between everyone I feel that combined we have been through it all.

Forge’s leadership/team are some of the most caring and whole hearted group of people I have ever met. They are all excellent at explaining things that may be difficult for someone with no cyber/IT experience. They will go out of their way to reach out to connections they may have in a certain area to help get you get interviews/connections in those fields. They provide awesome coaches with vast different job experience and all the coaches provide incredible advice on what paths that they have taken and the path they think would be appropriate for you to take.

I would highly recommend this experience to anyone that is remotely even curious about cyber or IT. The amount of work experience and awesome projects you get to work on to grow your confidence and skills in a more corporate type of work. The team at Forge makes it easy for transition and if they do not have the information that you are looking for, they for sure know someone who will. Skillbridge has been a great experience for me making lots of connections and even a couple of lifelong friends along the way.