Former bar owner finds new career in information technology

“I made a $1,500 investment into these classes and exams and I paid all of that back with one paycheck. Investing in my own mind, is a lot cheaper than investing in another bar,” said Olson.

After more than 15 years in the sales and service industry, Todd Olson enjoyed the social side of his work. Meeting people, making connections, and being a part of a team were all critical in helping him find Guilford Technical Community College and making a career change to IT in his 40s.  

Growing up in Kernersville, North Carolina, Olson graduated from East Forsyth High School in 2001 with dreams of living overseas and obtaining a master’s degree in public health. After he obtained his first degree from Sandhills Community College, he began turning those dreams into reality.

Olson lived in Ireland while working an internship at a golf course for his associate degree in golf course operation and grounds management.

“I grew up working on golf courses in the summertime,” said Olson. “I landed an internship, through Ohio State, in Ireland to work on a golf course. I lived on the first hole and would walk out the door to work every morning.”

Later, he moved to China to teach business English to college freshmen.

However, in 2006 his international dreams were put on hold so he could remain close to his parents in Kernersville. So, Olson started at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, working toward a bachelor’s degree in public health while bartending to put himself through college.

After graduating from UNCG in 2009, Olson took his exceptional people skills gained from his hospitality roles to work in sales for a large bank, but he quickly realized this wasn’t his lifelong career.

“You don’t really grow in sales,” he said. “You’d hit your quotas each month and then have to go back out there and do it all over again the next month.”

After living in Wilmington, North Carolina for a bit, Olson returned to Kernersville where an entrepreneur opportunity emerged.

“In 2014, I got word that the bar I worked at in college (McGee St Boiler Room) was failing, and the building owner offered to help me get the business for a good deal.”

With a connection to the Greensboro-based bar and the industry, Olson committed several years to building back the business and expanding it by opening The Barrel Room, a whiskey bar and The Bodega, a small restaurant, bar, and convenience store.

Like many entrepreneurs, Olson felt the effects of the global pandemic, along with years spent working in nightlife. In late 2022, he sold his businesses and spent a year traveling internationally and throughout the United States.

“I went to Portugal and Japan; the Masters in Augusta, Georgia; Austin, Texas; and a lot of beach and mountain trips with friends,” he said. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do but was burnt out from being an entrepreneur. I knew if I didn’t take any time off, I would resent myself when I started what was next and that wasn’t giving myself any grace.”

After a year away, Olson wanted to be part of a team again. Unsure of his next career move, he began helping a friend in the Triad service industry.

“I started chopping onions and making hamburgers for a friend who ran a kitchen. I made myself accountable to be somewhere,” Olson said. “I think you’re in a better place when you make yourself accountable.

“While I was working in the kitchen, a bartender working there was telling me about information technology (IT). He was taking some online classes. I started looking into it and I found these CompTIA classes and that’s how I found GTCC.”

In the summer of 2024, Olson began his first IT class at GTCC's Cameron Campus, CompTIA A+: A Comprehensive Approach. In the fall he took Comp TIA Network+ Certification and in the spring he completed CompTIA Security +/Cybersecurity Analyst Certification Bundle.

“I was never a techy person, so this was a very big pivot for me,” he shared. “I was taking the exams eight weeks into a 16-week semester. I started doing tons of practice tests and labs. I went back to my old college study habits. I still have my old spiral notebook for inspiration that I carry to work with me each day.”

Olson credits GTCC instructor Steve Wilson with helping solidify his career change.

“Steve knows this stuff backwards and forward. He always said, ‘I can only teach you so much, you’ve got to take yourself to the next level.’ He was an amazing resource that I could sit and listen to and if I needed help, he could.

“Having someone there when you’re trying to pivot in life at 40 made a big difference. It’s hard to make that jump and still have a 25-year career and not feel behind. I already had two college degrees, and sometimes you have to start at square one so you can move yourself forward.”

After passing all four certification exams on the first try, when it was time to find employment, Olson already knew a former patron of his businesses who owned a local IT company.

“After passing these classes and exams, I ran into a former buddy from the bar, who owned Triad IT Solutions and hired me. He said he knew I already had the people skills and he could teach me the rest.”

Today, he works with clients across the Triad assisting with IT issues from companies, nonprofits, medical offices, schools, and more.

Olson credits his time at GTCC for being one of the best entrepreneurial investments he’s ever made.

“I made a $1,500 investment into these classes and exams and I paid all of that back with one paycheck. Investing in my own mind, is a lot cheaper than investing in another bar,” he exclaimed.

For more information the GTCC’s CompTIA classes, visit gtcc.edu/academics/academic-programs/programs/workforce-development-corporate-training/occupational-training/comp-tia.php