Salutations. My name is Troy Mosac, and this semester marks the halfway point of my MSI program. Currently, I am the Systems Assistant for the Hernando County Public Library System, where I support the Systems Librarian with the library’s IT needs. If you had asked me 10 years ago if this is where I’d be, I would have been surprised. I got my undergrad in Geology from the University of West Georgia and even went so far as to become state board-certified. However, when I graduated, geopolitical changes made locating a job all but impossible. While waiting for the geology market to stabilize, I took a job with Apple as a Tier 2 Senior Technical Advisor, serving as an intermediary between consumers and engineering teams. I had to relocate to Florida to help take care of my family, where I took my current position.
I have no formal background in IT; it’s always been a hobby. Growing up in Silicon Valley, my friends and I would dumpster-dive at tech companies for spare parts to build a computer. We spent our spare time tinkering and figuring out how programs worked, something I still do today.
As much as I love technology, music has always been my passion. Transitioning from the gloriously awful pop music of the 80s to the grunge scene of the 90s, I found myself embedded in the goth scene. Contrary to what you may hear in the mainstream media, goth music is surprisingly diverse. Though dark and atmospheric aesthetics persist, it can draw on other genres, significantly diversifying its offerings. My musical tastes have evolved and expanded since those days, but I always find my way back, and I still update my goth/industrial playlist from time to time.
Hi Troy! It’s good to get to know a bit about you. I especially appreciate the inclusion of your playlist as I am always looking for new music across a variety of genres. Personally, I don’t have much experience with goth or industrial music, but I am enjoying what I have heard so far. I am surprised to hear you have no formal background in IT despite working in the field, although I was aware that a degree is not always required to get a job in the field, I have also heard that getting certified in different programs can help buff up a resume. Do you have any certifications in the field?
My boss is going to pay for me to get my A+ certification.
Hey Troy! It sounds like you’ve had an interesting journey getting into the field! I haven’t met anyone with a Geology degree; that’s super cool. I like that you included a picture of your library staff! They look like a fun bunch! I like how you coordinated Halloween outfits! At my library, we were all superheroes this past Halloween (I got to be Batman!). And I love new music recommendations so I’m definitely going to have to give your playlist a listen! I haven’t heard much goth/industrial music before but I’ve always been a bit curious about the genre.
Hi Troy! It’s nice to get to know a little about you! It’s honestly a little comforting to know that I am not the only student here who has had a bit of a different academic journey. Your story sounds a bit like my husband’s, who always built computers growing up, but kind of stumbled into an IT career instead of moving forward with his criminal justice degree. I know nothing about geology, nor have I met anyone in that field, so I am intrigued. What is your favorite bit of knowledge from that field? Thank you for the link to your playlist, because the goth/industrial genre is also something I am not very familiar with.