IT staffer, Roger Saunders ‘22, found a school and work home at Eastland-Fairfield that began with his experience in the Cyber Security program.
Going through his early teen years, Roger Saunders ‘22 was not sure where life would take him. His career exploration nearly led him to pursue becoming a doctor, surgeon, programmer, or a multimedian. Saunders’ passion for technology helped guide him from Gahanna Lincoln High School toward opportunities available at Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools, but he had no idea that by choosing EFCTS he was also taking the first steps toward a full-time job with the District and his first foray into entrepreneurship.
Saunders first began exploring Eastland-Fairfield when his dad landed a position as a Cabling Infrastructure Technician with Network9. He said he’s always had an interest in computers and has always looked up to his dad. So, after taking a variety of computer-related classes and watching his father being onboarded into Facebook (now known as Meta), he more seriously explored all of Eastland-Fairfield’s technology-related programs and chose Cyber Security.
“Ultimately, I chose Cyber Security because it best fit what I thought would be really cool and interesting,” said Saunders. “Cyber Security separated itself from other technology work because of the hands-on aspect. I like to physically see how something works, see the completion of a project, and see each step of getting a network up and running.”
Roger admits that in the beginning, he had doubts about his choice because the COVID-19 pandemic forced students to start school virtually, altering his experience. However, as soon as he entered the Cyber Security lab (then located at Fairfield Career Center) in December 2021 to meet his instructor and peers in person, it clicked. He met friends who would eventually become colleagues. The class began doing the hands-on work and exploration that makes career technical education unique. And, Roger and his workgroup began to create their own projects outside of the coursework, which set up a major entrepreneurial opportunity. It also carved the path to become employed in the very school district affording him these opportunities.
At 19 years old, Saunders is currently working as an Information Technology (IT) support specialist with Eastland-Fairfield and primarily serves as the technician who manages the technology at Fairfield Career Center, patrolling the same halls he walked as a student a little more than a year ago. After serving as an IT intern during the summer following his senior year, a full-time position opened. His performance as an intern and existing connection to the IT staff made him a leading candidate, and so he was hired.
But working for Eastland-Fairfield isn’t all that Saunders does. Remember, he is also an entrepreneur. His classmates, Gabe Wilson and Ethan Clark took the experience they gained as students and created their own startup to serve local businesses. The trio launched Wiltech Ohio, LLC, a managed service provider, in January 2023, and quickly acquired five heavy-hitting clients across the legal, healthcare and government industries. Now in his evenings, Saunders is part of a trio that provides what are best referred to as “backend services” to these companies, which includes establishing and setting up servers, computers, and providing technology maintenance and repair for a monthly or annual fee.
“My work does not stop when I leave work [Eastland-Fairfield] and I love it just because everything that I do, I love right now.”
None of this would be possible without the experience and relationships gained during his time at Fairfield Career Center. Saunders cited two main factors about his Eastland-Fairfield experience that helped him get where he is today.
First, the instructors. He said he didn’t have a clear path when he started the program, but from his first day on campus, the instructors had an uncanny way of understanding how students feel and providing the right support at the right time.
His Cyber Security instructor, Mr. Ty James, was also the catalyst for Saunders choosing his E’s. Saunders said he always challenged him and continues opening new doors for him, even today. Mr. James encouraged him in his work on the Server Project, a 1 1/2-year-long extracurricular opportunity that allowed Saunders and other students to learn advanced concepts building a small-scale beta center that contained multiple servers. Mr. James also connected him with his first real-world job restructuring a server system for a local church and then pushed him to apply for the internship in the IT department at Eastland-Fairfield.
The second component that made a true difference for Saunders was his classmates. He said no matter the program you’re in at Eastland-Fairfield, it’s easy to find “your group.” He didn’t just find friends with shared interests, but business partners that now enjoy success in their young, but extremely promising, careers.
“I never felt out of place here, and I wouldn’t have had the same opportunities had I stayed at my home school,” he said.
About Eastland-Fairfield Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools is the seventh-largest career and technical education district, geographically, in the State of Ohio. We serve more than 5,000 students in 16 school districts throughout Franklin, Fairfield and Pickaway counties. Eastland-Fairfield provides more than 35 high school and adult training programs that enroll more than 1,700 students. The district has two main campuses — Eastland Career Center in Groveport and Fairfield Career Center in Carroll, four satellite locations, and middle school programming housed in 10 different middle schools around the EFCTS district. Eastland-Fairfield also partners with various businesses to provide students career advancement through specific programming or experiences.
Founded in 1969, Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools’ mission is to engage, enrich, and equip students every day in every experience. We prepare students to pursue their life’s next E: Employment, Enlistment, Entrepreneurship, and/or additional Education. Visit us online at www.eastlandfairfield.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn for regular updates, fun content and information.