Publication Date
5-1-2022
Abstract
When Joshua Trimm crossed the commencement stage at East Tennessee State University less than a month ago, the person who once thought a graduate degree may not be for him conquered those fears. In June, Joshua will begin a new job at one of the largest employers in the Appalachian Highlands – Eastman Chemical Company.
Joshua is from Kingsport. He attended Northeast State Community College for two years and earned an associate degree in web design. A self-described “non-traditional student” who began his collegiate journey seven years ago, Joshua said time allowed him to learn the real value of higher education. “The journey has shown me how valuable not only education is, but the community you build around you in education.”
After receiving encouragement from family members, Joshua transferred to ETSU to further his education with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and technology.
Not only did Joshua learn the value of education, but he is also paying it forward and imparting his knowledge in the classroom. He began teaching CSCI 1100: Using Information Technology at ETSU in fall 2021. “College of Business and Technology professors have made a tremendous impact on my life. When I began teaching, it became even more apparent because I realized I was imparting a part of myself onto the students I was teaching,” Joshua said. “It became clear that my professors had done the same.”
Joshua is also a prime example that persistence pays off. In 2019, his entrepreneurial spirit was ready to shine during the Innovative Buccaneers (iBUCS) Student Venture Pitch competition.
Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
“I didn’t give up on the idea just because something happened. Being able to stay persistent, understand a need, and figure out why I’m doing this and then help people fulfill a need through technology was really important to me,” said Joshua. Three years after Joshua crafted the idea for “Trim Yard,” a digital and online service aimed at providing lawn care professionals the tools they need to succeed, Joshua was awarded the first-place prize at the iBUCS competition held by the College of Business and Technology.
“The skills I have acquired at ETSU have helped me understand not to just hack away at a keyboard but to actually understand the problems that people are facing and take a technology solution and help solve that problem,” Joshua said. In June, he will take that skillset to Eastman Chemical Company as he begins his job as a software engineer.
As Joshua looks back at his journey that led him to ETSU and a master’s degree in computer science information technology, he wants to encourage others that it’s never too late to invest in yourself and your education. “Taking the first step and just giving it your all is what you have to do. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. You’ll find you actually can do it.” Joshua added, “There’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but with determination you can achieve your dreams.”
Document Type
News Article
