Meet Kevin Diaz…
Kevin attended one of the DC/Maryland area Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) in 2019 hoping to find inspiration to help him achieve something remarkable with his life. During the program, sponsored by Acquired Data Solutions (ADS), a successful DC based test engineering and cyber security solutions business.
Kevin focused on the key STEM subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and found he thoroughly enjoyed and excelled in these. He was noticed for his clear enthusiasm for the subjects by Steve Seiden, the founder and CEO of ADS and who has enhanced STEM into MASTERY, admiring his work ethic and his can do attitude.
After the SYEP had finished, Kevin was interviewed for an intern position with ADS through City Works, a recruitment company set up to help SYEP attendees get onto the career ladder. Suffice to say that ADS hired Kevin as an intern, welcoming Kevin with open arms. Kevin has been with ADS for over 2 years now and has proved to be a valued member of the Sales and Marketing team helping explain ADS’s goals to potential clients who are looking to improve their own business performance.
Asked a few questions about his experience, Kevin answered the following:
How did you hear about the summer youth program?
I heard about the program through school. I needed an internship in order to graduate so I signed up.
How did the summer youth program inspire you?
The youth program during the summer gave me something to anticipate. I was excited when ADS indicated that they would be hiring apprentices during the winter. In addition, the summer youth program gave me the opportunity to appear on television and discuss my upbringing and involvement with the program.
What did you like about what ADS was offering?
I appreciate the concept of working remotely and think it really should be the standard in the industry. Additionally, I am certain that I want to work in the tech industry in the future, so having the opportunity to work for a company that is currently involved in that field is more than I could hope for.
What do you like best about your current job at ADS?
ADS has a lot of qualities that I enjoy. If I had to choose just one item, it would be ADS’s constant support for my growth. When I mess up or don’t finish an assignment completely, the management team always reroutes me in a constructive direction. They are aware of how much I still need to learn and how I am still learning. I believe that a student needs a supportive environment in order to succeed. I receive the supportive environment I need from ADS.
How have ADS helped you develop your skills?
I’ve been able to develop my skills because of the environment ADS offers. Steve frequently asks me things such as, “Are you busy enough?” and “Is there anything you’d like to learn?” Questions like those enable me to approach my manager with anything I want to learn, which aids in the development of new skills.
What would you like to be doing in 5 years’ time?
In 5 years time, I should be 2 years out of college and working in the tech industry. I’ve been liking the idea of data so hopefully I work in a field that’s related to it.
“It is essential to revitalize our learning process with the hope that the next generation will emerge from this historic pandemic era stronger, more compassionate, and more grounded than before. The MASTERY program comes at an opportune time when many school plans are up in the air and unclear, to provide parents with a learning approach based in science and story-telling to add substance and sustainability to their children’s educational experiences. Kevin has been an inspirational student and now intern” – Steve Seiden, President
To find out more about ADS’ care in the community program and to learn more about MASTERY visit https://acquiredata.com/who-we-are/ads-cares/