Jason DeCosta

Northern Essex helped Jason DeCosta grow from an unemployed pipe fitter to a soon-to-be computer information sciences graduate.

Jason, of Haverhill, grew up in Merrimac and attended Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School. Anxious to be finished with high school, he completed his GED before his class graduated and embarked on a career in plumbing and heating. He became a licensed plumber’s apprentice in Massachusetts, but he was laid off during the recession.

The 29-year-old embraced his unemployment as an opportunity to reinvent himself. Jason enrolled in the computer information sciences program after researching emerging and growing careers. His interest in computers dovetailed with U.S. labor statistics that show computer science is projected to continue to grow over the next 10 years.

“I have always liked computers and decided I wanted to learn how they work,” he says.

After enrolling in Introduction to Information Technology and Introduction to Computer Science he knew he had found his future.

“I thought I knew a lot about computers until I took those classes,” he says. “It was both intimidating and exciting. It’s been a great experience. It’s been challenging but fulfilling as well.”

Jason says, for now, going to school is his full-time job.

“I’m dedicated to it and take it very seriously,” he says. “I wanted to find a career that I am totally engaged in and if you are a computer person then computer forensics and computer security is a must.”

After graduating with an associate degree in Computer Information Sciences: Information Technology in May, Jason intends to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer security or forensics.

“No matter what I end up doing,” he says. “I know the more education you have the better off you are in the long run.”