08/27/2026
From Call Center Manager to Deputy Director of Infrastructure Services | TrainACE Alumni Story
After 15 years in call center management, Jason Stroud was laid off and made a bold decision: stop managing people, start managing computers. In this alumni interview, he shares how earning his CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications at TrainACE in 2004 launched a career that's taken him all the way to Deputy Director of Infrastructure Services at an MSP overseeing security, platforms, and a 24/7 NOC team.
He breaks down why he chose in-person, live training over remote learning, how asking questions in real time changed the way he understood exam concepts, and why the certification never stops once you pass the test.
In this video:
0:00 – Career before TrainACE: 15 years in call center management
0:23 – Signing up for A+ and Network+ in 2004
0:55 – First IT roles: temp agency, public schools, and beyond
1:37 – Present day: Deputy Director of Infrastructure Services
1:58 – Certifications earned since A+/Net+ (Security+, Microsoft, vendor certs)
2:39 – Why IT professionals never stop learning
2:53 – Why he chose in-person training at TrainACE's facility
3:08 – The advantage of live training: asking questions in real time
3:55 – Real-world examples vs. just "teaching to the test"
4:19 – What to do after you pass your certification exam
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About TrainACE: TrainACE has been helping career-changers and IT professionals earn industry-recognized certifications, including CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, and more, since 2001. Our hands-on, instructor-led courses focus on real-world application, not just passing the test.
