Tell us who you are, what you do, and where you work. How did your path lead into higher education AV?
My name is Jaylen Williams, and I’m a Help Desk IT Specialist at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Medicine. My path into higher ed AV began after working in live events for Encore.
What does a typical day in your role look like?
A typical day in my role consists of helping faculty, staff, and students troubleshoot technology issues such as Wi-Fi connectivity, account logins, and VPN access. I also assist the Instructional Media team when needed.
Outside of work, what are some of the things you enjoy doing?
Outside of work, I enjoy making music. I do everything from audio recording to music production, and I also enjoy DJing.
How did you first learn about the Prism Scholarship?
I first learned about the Prism Scholarship when I met the HETMA team at InfoComm 2024.
What motivated you to apply?
My drive to further my career in the AV field motivated me to apply.
Was there a specific person, experience, or goal that encouraged you to take this step?
The people who encouraged me to take this step are Charity Caldwell, Anthony Donatelli, and Troy Powers.
What made this feel like the right time in your career?
My age and the people who encouraged me made me feel like this was the right time in my career.
What are your current professional goals?
My professional goals are to earn my Security+ and CTS certifications. Gaining that knowledge will help me continue to advance my career in AV and IT.
What skills or knowledge are you hoping to gain through the Prism experience?
The knowledge I’m hoping to gain is being able to solve any problems when it comes to AV.
What excites you most about this opportunity?
What excites me most is having a group of people I can lean on when I need help.
Why do programs like Prism matter to the AV industry?
Programs like Prism matter because they give people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue their CTS certification the ability to do so. They also provide a community to lean on and a chance to attend InfoComm.
Have there been moments in your career when representation, mentorship, or community made a difference for you?
At every job I’ve had, mentorship has played a big role in my growth. I wouldn’t be in this position today if it weren’t for coworkers and managers who took me under their wing and helped advance my career.
What does being selected as a Prism Scholar mean to you personally?
Being selected as a Prism Scholar means that I’m part of a select group of people who have been given the opportunity to expand their careers while joining a community that fully supports them.
What part of the program are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to connecting with my mentor and the other Prism Scholars.
If you could fast-forward to the end of the experience, what would you hope to have accomplished?
I hope to earn my CTS certification while also networking and building connections with others in the AV industry.
What message would you share with others who may be considering applying in the future?
I would tell them to apply. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to network with some of the top people in higher ed AV while growing your knowledge and advancing your career in the industry.
Connect with Jaylen on LinkedIn.
