Career Roadmap
Samanga's work combines: Education, Technology, and Being Creative
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Trinity College Kandy, Sri Lanka
Bachelor's Degree
Military History
Bellevue University
Graduate Degree
Organizational Leadership
Bellevue University
Doctorate
Public Administration
Walden University
Certification
Network and System Administration/Administrator
IDM Computer Studies, Sri Lanka
Vocational
Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration
IDM Computer Studies, Sri Lanka
Certification
Computer Programming/Programmer, General
IDM Computer Studies, Sri Lanka
Certification
Computer Hardware Technology/Technician
National Computer Science Academy
Certification
Windows 2000 Professional
National Computer Science Academy
Certification
Windows 8
National Computer Science Academy
Certification
Windows Server 2008
National Computer Science Academy
Certification
SQL
National Computer Science Academy
Vocational
Network and System Administration/Administrator
National Computer Science Academy
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Information Technology Project Managers:
Bachelor's Degree: Military History
Graduate Degree: Organizational Leadership
Doctorate: Public Administration
Certification: Network and System Administration/Administrator
Vocational: Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration
Certification: Computer Programming/Programmer, General
Certification: Computer Hardware Technology/Technician
Certification: Windows 2000 Professional
Certification: Windows 8
Certification: Windows Server 2008
Certification: SQL
Vocational: Network and System Administration/Administrator
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
High school wanted to join the LRRP Units so joined National Cadet Corps (ROTC), but was not able to join active duty due to my father and family's influence within the military and the LTTE conflict
2.
Having a knack for IT since 1983 perused a extensive IT education by 14 years old held high IT qualifications for after HS began career in IT as a SW/HW engineer while teaching tech school.
3.
Then moved to the capital began teaching IT as the dept. Head in Japanese based NGO that trained Sri Lankan Public Administrators and senior governmental branches in their conversion process to IT.
4.
With the field of IT growing fast was requested by my parents to study abroad, hence, arrived in the US, found a passion for Military History, completed a BA in history and a Minor in CIS.
5.
Then with the L.T.T.E problem in Sri Lanka wanted to study more on such conflicts and took a Masters in leadership, graduated with Honors compiling a dissertation on Sri Lanka's Ethnic Conflict.
6.
Then published my findings and began studying on American foreign policy's having completed published my second book on the findings.
7.
My father passed away 2014, impacted me more that I thought after few years in silence decided to take a PhD in PPA Terrorism Mediation and Peace, holding a 3.8 GPA 2 classes short of dissertation.
8.
Have found my committee, prospectus completed, got invitation to work with the SL Army commandos as a outside consultant. Path connected.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Teachers:
As much as I would love to share discouragements, I have none because my mentor was my father a PhD product of the University of London Yorkshire, He mentored me to always attack with the truth, and seek it taught me never bow my head and follow my guts
How I responded:
"Never listen to Nay Sayers run away from them and people who are negative" because negativity is like "Tar" if you play with it too much it will stick to you and it is very hard to get off. Then "always when you feel you cannot do something do exactly that fight fear with fear" then you will see fear and the word impossible is a mirage. What's more learn to rely on yourself no matter what, you will never loose yourself so be honest to yourself push hard to get what you want and you will.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
When I arrived in the US in 2000 I came with some cash and a suitcase, I came here by challenging status quo, failing, persisting and rising, what helped me was knowing where I stood and knowing where I am to go and not being shy to ask for help.