BY: Alethia Hines
I’ve carried this dream for years — the dream of working in tech, of proving to myself that it’s never too late to reboot. For too long, it sat quietly in the background, waiting for the “perfect moment.” But the truth is, there is no perfect moment. There is only today.
I actually started my journey into tech when I was 18 years old, as a Telecommunications Technician in the Army at Ft Bragg. I witnessed the “birth” of the internet in 1980 before it went public. I never imagined, in my wildest dreams, how much it would evolve into what it is today.
I remained fascinated by technology when I became a nurse, and things became even more streamlined with electronic medical records and charting. The computerized medication carts were a blessing.
Since I retired, I have found myself looking for opportunities to maintain and expand my knowledge of tech as it evolves and incorporate it into my daily life. While most of my senior friends shunned AI and feared it, I embrace it and all it has to offer.
In August of 2025, I signed up for the NC NPower IT Program where we get to learn IT skills and earn certifications for entry-level, well-paid employment in the tech field. I passed my first certification exam, CompTIA Tech+, and my goal is the A+ Core 1 and 2. These certs are highly valued in tech.
This week, I faced another setback. I didn’t pass the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam. Not the first time, not the second. And yes, it stung. But failure isn’t a stop sign. It’s a checkpoint. Each attempt teaches me something new — about the material, about the process, and about myself.
Instead of forcing myself through Core 1 again right now, I’m shifting to Core 2. That’s not quitting; it’s adapting. Core 2 leans into operating systems, security, and troubleshooting — areas where my instincts and experience are stronger. Passing it will build momentum, and when I return to Core 1, I’ll be ready with fresh energy.
This blog, Rebooting at Midlife, is where I’ll document the journey. Not just the exams, but the lessons, the pivots, the reflections, and the breakthroughs. It’s where I’ll show that reinvention isn’t a straight line. It’s a series of choices, and today I’m making one that moves me forward.
I’m not getting any younger, but I am getting wiser, stronger, and more intentional. Too much time has passed already. Today, I begin again.