My name is Tanya Silva, and I am a graduate of the Nevada Technology Academy. I had heard about the Academy from my coworkers at the startup at the UNR Innovation Center. Our CTO then was on the board with the Nevada Governor to create the program for Northern Nevada to train the workforce in Industrial Internet of Things and Cybersecurity Domains. The startup hired me to help the CEO execute the contracts - building IoT products. While I already have an extensive background in data services, software development, product development, and management - I wanted to understand IOT lifecycle development end-to-end. It would allow me to manage my development teams better, size and negotiate the contracts better, and understand the feasibility of bringing someones idea to life.
When I heard about the NTA (previously RTA) program, I was cautious - the curriculum was a two-year program with a heavy technical emphasis on electrical and computer engineering, networking, programming, process controls, and factory automation. The classes sounded daunting and terrifying.
My curiosity took over, and I signed up for the program a few days before the first cohort was closed. They separated us into Hardware and Software cohorts with the idea of merging them at the end. I selected the hardware track since I already had Computer Science in my undergrad. We started with the Solid-State Theory, DC/AC, Test and Measurement Fundamentals, and such. As we progressed, we learned about coding PLCs, sensors, networking, security, cloud, microcontrollers, and programming languages.
For our capstone project, my group selected the challenge of building an IoT - we wanted to create a self-sufficient garden to take it to the Black Rock Desert (and later Mars!!!). We have developed project plans, product designs, BOM (Bill of Materials), sourced the materials, welded the frames, worked on the pumps, built a garden bed, started coding the "brains" ... and then Covid happened. The only regret I have about my time at NTA is that we could not finish our project.
I have fond memories of my time at NTA - summer BBQ parties, soldering sensors on breadboards, taking measurements with the advanced equipment, coding databases, exploring cloud technologies, arguing with my teachers (wink, wink)...
My efforts over two years resulted in me being a "Certified Industrial Internet of Things Specialist" I currently work at the Panasonic Energy of North America east of Sparks, and I certainly use my IOT skills in my line of work.
If you are considering investing your time and effort in this program, I highly recommend it - you will challenge and stretch yourself. At the same time - the industry desperately needs people who understand IOT development and lifecycle management, and there are plenty of jobs in this domain.
Tanya Silva
