About

Network Support Specialist

Supporting rural communities with reliable broadband and voice services at Rainbow Communications.

I am a growing professional with a strong foundation in information networking and telecommunications. At Rainbow Communications, I have gained hands-on expertise through roles in network support, operations support, and customer service — troubleshooting internet, voice, and customer-premises equipment for rural communities while contributing to high network availability.

I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Informatics with a concentration in Information Networking and Telecommunications at Fort Hays State University. Through coursework in information systems, networking, data analysis, and emerging technologies, I am building on my field experience and expanding into programming, Python, software development, and AI integration.

Skills

Technical Skills

Network Operations

  • Network support
  • Operations support
  • Network monitoring
  • Outage response
  • 99.999% availability targets

Routing & Switching

  • Routing protocols
  • CCNA: Introduction to Networks
  • Static routing
  • Path troubleshooting
  • Network fundamentals

ISP & Access

  • Broadband services
  • Voice services
  • CPE troubleshooting
  • Rural ISP operations
  • Business phone systems

Systems & Lab

  • Linux administration
  • Proxmox
  • Virtualization
  • Home lab
  • Self-hosted services

Automation & Scripting

  • Python (learning)
  • Bash
  • Operational automation
  • Log parsing
  • Scripting fundamentals

Education & Security

  • Informatics coursework
  • Information systems
  • Data analysis
  • Networking Basics (Cisco)
  • Emerging technologies

Expertise

Areas of Focus

Detailed breakdown of my work at Rainbow Communications and ongoing professional development.

ISP Network Operations

Network support and operations for Rainbow Communications — a rural broadband and voice provider serving local communities.

  • Support voice and broadband services with a focus on reliable connectivity for rural customers
  • Monitor network health, respond to outages, and contribute to operational efficiency initiatives
  • Helped support 99.999% network availability in 2025 through monitoring and outage response
  • Communicate technical issues clearly to customers and coworkers across support tiers

Routing

Routing protocol fundamentals and network troubleshooting, reinforced through CCNA coursework and daily ISP operations.

  • Apply routing protocol knowledge from CCNA: Introduction to Networks in practical contexts
  • Troubleshoot connectivity and path issues across customer and provider networks
  • Build on routing skills through Fort Hays State University informatics coursework
  • Document and verify network changes with clear, accurate technical communication

GPON / ONT Work

Broadband access support including customer-premises equipment troubleshooting for fiber and high-speed internet services.

  • Troubleshoot internet connectivity and CPE issues for residential and business customers
  • Support service delivery for high-speed broadband in rural community deployments
  • Coordinate with operations and field teams on escalations requiring deeper plant or equipment work
  • Maintain accurate service records and clear customer communication throughout resolution

Linux Home Lab

Hands-on lab environment for testing network configs, services, and skills beyond day-to-day operations.

  • Run Proxmox with VMs for routing practice and service testing
  • Deploy self-hosted tools for monitoring, DNS, and documentation
  • Segment lab networks with VLANs to mirror production-style topologies
  • Experiment safely before applying changes in live environments

Automation Scripts

Building scripting skills in Python and Bash to reduce repetitive operational tasks and improve efficiency.

  • Expand automation capabilities as part of ongoing informatics and programming coursework
  • Identify repetitive ops workflows suitable for scripting and validation checks
  • Parse logs and generate summaries for recurring network reviews
  • Document reusable scripts for team adoption and consistent outcomes

Cybersecurity Coursework

Ongoing education in information networking, security fundamentals, and emerging technologies at Fort Hays State University.

  • Study information systems, networking, and data analysis through university coursework
  • Apply a security-aware mindset to CPE defaults, remote access, and network operations
  • Explore how modern networks and information systems support businesses and communities
  • Pursue continued learning in programming, Python, and AI integration