I grew up in Lemont, IL and I went to Lemont High School. My parents are Sandy and Vic Schikora, who I love very dearly. I would say I had a very plain and basic childhood, lots of friends, lots of fun, and I learned a lot as well. Eventually I went to college at DeVry Institute of Technology and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Telecommunications Management. My 1st job out of college was with MCI Worldcom, and I learned a lot about the real world and having a real job. As the technology bubble burst I ended up getting laid off and got into the financial field, I worked for multiple mortgage companies and was very good at what I did, but I didn't like the work or the way business was done in the industry as a whole. I was recently able to get out of that industry and get back into my field, IT; I found a contracting job with US Cellular. I got my contract extended twice, however I was released from my contract after a year. I have now been unemployed for over 6 months and I am desperately seeking new employment.
I met my lovely wife Tracy while working at MCI Worldcom, we actually met on Match.com, most people can't believe that. I can't say that any person in my life has had an impact on my like she has, except for maybe my parents. She helped me grow and mature like no one has, she has been there with me through some tough times, and I love her all the more for it. She is my ideal wife, she's beautiful, intelligent, and independant, and I couldn't be happier.
The most important thing in my life right now is also the best thing to ever happen to me, my lovely daughter Savannah. There is nothing in my life more important right now, she is everything. You don't realize how much a child changes your life until you have one. My daughter has absolutely changed the way I look at everything. Before her my wife and I had people would tell us, do this or do that now because when you have kids it all changes, I was always like, "Oh yeah I'm sure it does", but now that she is hear, I wish I would have listened more.
Another thing that is important to me is Triathlons. They have become a passion of mine over the last 2-3 years. I have found a community of people where I seem to fit, I love the physical aspect of the training and I love the people and how they treat each other. I can honestly say in my entire life I have never met so many great people associated with the same 1 thing. I not only enjoy the fact that you can train for 3 seperate events at the same time to keep your training constantly changing, but I also love the intricacies of triathlon that no other sport has, the transitions, the brick work, and the time management for training. Just being a triathlete makes sure that you manage your life with the utmost care to find time to fit it all in. Some day I would love to become an Ironman but with my daughter right now there just isn't enough time in the day to train.
Something that I share as an interest with my wife is Country Music, it is just so amazing how much I can relate to the music and what they talk about. There is no other musical format that you can listen to and have it touch your heart so deeply. You can hear a song and think of exactly how you felt going through something and know that the song strikes a cord with you personally. The vocal harmonies are amazing at times, and funny at others, the artists are such great people, but they are also just regular people like you and me. Most country stars don't seek out celebrity it is thrust upon them because of their amazing skills with music. In recent years a lot of artists from other genres are trying to cross over into country to get in with the community feel of the music and the industry. Don't get me wrong country isn't all that I listen to, but it is definately my favorite.
Being unemployed for over 6 months has been hard, I am currently trying very hard to find a job, I have been working on industry Certifications, I recently completed my A+ Certification and hope to soon follow that up with my CCNA Certification. I am trying to make the best of a bad situation by starting my own PC and networking business to gain experience and make a little money. I am desperately hoping to find something soon, I miss working, I miss making money, and I miss supporting my family. Wish me the best of luck in finding something soon, because I need it.
I can't wait to see what it holds, but for now, only God knows...