Dreaming big is one of the magical parts of being a kid. But here is the absolute best news for the Class of '26 as you step into the future: graduating doesn't mean you have to leave those dreams behind!
Whether you wanted to be an explorer charting new territory or a pilot exploring the world, those early passions actually help build the foundation of your future. You might feel the pressure to have your whole life mapped out right now. The secret is that you really do not need a grand scheme. As long as you stay open and flexible, life has a wonderful way of putting you in the right place at the right time.
Your childhood dreams do not fade away. They just grow up with you.
We asked five ICN team members to show you exactly how this works. They are sharing their childhood dreams, the unexpected plot twists that changed their career paths, and the best advice they have for navigating the unknown. Get ready to dream big, embrace the unexpected, and enjoy the ride.
Are you packed and ready for an adventure? Because we are about to explore some truly incredible career journeys, starting with our resident explorer, Dan...
🧭 Dan, Technical Assistance Center (TAC) Explorer
What I do: "My core responsibilities and job functions primarily revolve around managing technical infrastructure projects, supervising field operations, and handling administrative and billing tasks for the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) team."
The Childhood Dream: "I was obsessed with being an explorer who discovered lost cities. The idea of solving mysteries and navigating completely unknown territories—the ultimate adventure without an instruction manual—seemed like the coolest, most important job imaginable.”
The Plot Twist: “My career path shifted from physical exploration to the complex landscape of technology, where I solve high-stakes technical mysteries daily—just on the Capitol Complex instead of a jungle. The pivot was gradual, driven by a fascination with how things connect. The funniest adult realization is that debugging equipment (like fire panel communicators or virtual line disconnects) feels exactly like charting unmapped territory; you are often the person who has to read the instructions for the very first time. Adulthood is realizing that nobody, not even the experts, has a clear map for the biggest problems, and most of your job involves figuring it out as you go.”
Advice for the Class of '26: Be a trailblazer: "Your value comes from your ability to figure things out, not from knowing the right answer right away."
- Lean into the unknown: "Embrace problems that genuinely confuse you, because those are the areas where you will learn the most and create the greatest impact."
- Keep exploring: "Every challenge is just a problem waiting for a creative solution. Never stop asking questions.”
The Real-World Adventure: Today, as our TAC Team Lead, Dan is our hands-on expedition leader. Instead of charting jungles, he charts the physical setup of our customers' networks like running structured cabling, installing equipment, and troubleshooting tech face-to-face to get their systems running.
🔍 Manila, Network and Security Detective
What I do: "I handle the help tickets and everyday hardware for our staff. I get devices repaired and work across departments to keep our network secure and our office running smoothly."
The Childhood Dream: "I wanted to be a detective like Charlie's Angels. Who doesn't want to solve a mystery in one hour?"
The Plot Twist: "Supervisors, coworkers, family and friends, helped me and encouraged me to learn about technology and where the future was heading. I am still solving mysteries, but those mysteries are how to fix computers and applications, and find solutions to problems that occur. Every day is something new! I also realized that being an adult means the case isn't over just because the workday ends. I can't just go out to play right after work, because I have bills to pay and there are always chores to track down and finish at home as a homeowner and dog parent."
Advice for the Class of '26: Life works on a case by case basis: “Take it one day at a time.”
- Stay calm under pressure: “There are always going to be issues that arise, but take a deep breath and figure it out.”
- The Bottom Line: "You've got this! Plus, you can do what makes you happy!”
Cracking the Case: As our resident IT technologist, Manila investigates our everyday tech mysteries. Whether it’s tracking down the cause of a broken device, cracking the code on a help ticket, or teaming up with other departments to keep our network secure, she ensures our office runs smoothly.
🧰 Joel, High-Speed Firewall Mechanic
What I do: "I wear a lot of hats to keep the network going. My work ranges from handling the technical side of our network circuits to troubleshooting our firewalls."
The Childhood Dream: "I wanted something involving racing motorcycles or cars, or mechanics. I've always liked building things and taking them apart to see how they work. I enjoyed working with electrical and electronic components; I started with a small RadioShack electronics lab kit and later got the ultimate 200-in-1 kit.”
The Plot Twist: "I didn't grow up expecting things to be handed to me. I knew if I wanted something, I had to build it myself. After working construction, retail, and a night shift at a window factory, I realized pretty quickly that I never wanted a job just working on the assembly line. I wanted to learn a specialized skill. I shifted gears and chose the Electronics/Telecommunications program at Indian Hills Community College. I didn't hold out for the perfect 'dream job'; instead, I started my career working in a NOC. It meant low pay and crazy hours, but I used that overnight downtime to look under the hood of the network, read the manuals, and figure out how things worked. I asked a lot of questions and valued the input from the veteran pit crew around me. Today, I'm still taking things apart and figuring out how they work—just with firewalls and cybersecurity instead of engines."
Advice for the Class of '26: Get under the hood: “Work hard, dig in, and try to learn all that you can."
- Value your pit crew: "Great IT professionals are team players first. Ask for and consider others' opinions, help others, work as a team, and try to understand different perspectives.”
- The Bottom Line: "Pursue gaining experience, not your perfect dream job, and better things will come if you are patient."
Breakdown and Reassembly: Working in the Broadband Information Center, Joel is the mechanic keeping our digital highways open. He gets under the hood of the network, doing everything from building technical circuits to troubleshooting the firewalls that keep our data safe from digital roadblocks.
⚽ Kammy, Accountant and Fiscal Therapist
What I do: "I handle the financial side of the agency. I process incoming funds, run monthly reports, oversee our billing systems, and help customers resolve account issues."
The Childhood Dream: "I can’t think of anything crazy that I wanted to be growing up. I enjoyed playing sports and thought about becoming a physical therapist.”
The Plot Twist: "Since college wasn’t an option for me, I focused on building my financial endurance. I was working two different jobs that had me driving to both Ames and Des Moines almost daily. Then, I landed a full-time factory job in Des Moines with great pay. After taking a hit and getting laid off from the factory, I had to pivot and rehab my game plan. I was able to get a part-time position with the State of Iowa the following January in 1990, which then flexed into a full-time position. Soon after, I got married and started a family. What started out as just a job has turned into a career all these years later. I realized for myself that I didn’t need a college degree to have a successful career. Hard work, common sense, and a sense of self-worth have been the heavy lifting that made me just as successful."
Advice for the Class of '26: Pace your progress: "You don’t have to have it all figured out at 18, and that is okay. Do the best that you can, take one day at a time, and stay true to yourself."
- Flex your resilience: "Some days will be a challenge, but remain strong and you will get through it. Also, your friends may change from high school, but you will make new friends."
- The Bottom Line: "Value the friendships you do have.”
Running the Numbers: As an Accountant Technician, Kammy is the coach keeping the agency’s financial endurance strong. She does the heavy lifting of processing incoming funds, running monthly reports, overseeing billing systems, and helping customers with any account issues.
✈️ Chris, Telecom Engineer Maverick
What I do: "I handle the logistics for the physical infrastructure of the internet. I help design and maintain the actual fiber-optic cables that we build across the state."
The Childhood Dream: "I wanted to be a pilot. To me, it was the coolest job in the world because of the freedom; I imagined traveling all across the country."
The Plot Twist: " Life, however, had a different path in mind. A family friend from my church worked in the telecommunications industry and opened my eyes to the vast variety of career paths and growth potential within it.
The funniest and most rewarding realization about being an adult is how much my priorities have shifted. While my younger self wanted to travel everywhere, my current self is so grateful I chose this “flight path.” Working as an Outside Plant Engineer for the ICN means I get to be home every night and don't have to miss my kid's games, school events, or daily milestones, which is worth more than anything.
Advice for the Class of '26: Log your early flight hours: "Do as much as you can while you are young."
- Always be ready for takeoff: "Never turn down an opportunity..."
- The Bottom Line: "...because you truly have no idea where that door might lead.”
Laying the Groundwork: As a Senior Telecommunications Engineer, Chris is part of the Outside Plant team that manages the physical internet. Together, they handle the logistics, design, and problem-solving for the actual fiber-optic cables buried across the state to keep Iowa connected.
In Big Takeaway:
The biggest takeaway from these five stories is that your childhood dreams are still alive and well. They just look a little different now! It’s perfectly okay to change your mind and read the instructions as you go. The rewards of your real world adventures might completely surprise you.
To the Class of '26: Congratulations on all your hard work and take satisfaction in all you have accomplished to get here!
But the best piece of advice is simple. Though we've said it many different ways, it’s this: Be flexible and give yourself a break.
Please enjoy the freedom of not having it all figured out yet. Step confidently into the unknown, say yes to open doors, and trust that the absolute best paths are often the ones you never planned to take.