Twenty years ago this spring, I decided to step away from a career in Information Technology. At the time, I was working as a network administrator for a credit union in New Jersey. But something was pulling me elsewhere — the bright lights and boundless energy of New York City.
I had also been working as a technical writer, and I thought, why write about printers and copiers in the office imaging industry when I could write about politics, policy, and transportation — the things that shape how people live?
I got my chance. I landed reporting work covering elected officials at New York City Hall. It was fast-paced, competitive, and meaningful. But as the media landscape changed, I realized I needed to adapt. With more prominent online brands dominating coverage, I decided to invest in video.
There used to be a great Apple service store on West 23rd Street off Sixth Avenue called TekServ. The staff there made some spot-on recommendations: buy a Mac Book Pro and learn Final Cut Pro. TekServ is no longer around — the owners said they couldn’t compete with Apple’s growing retail presence in the city — but their advice helped launch a new phase in my career.
I dove into learning how to shoot and edit. More importantly, I learned how to shape stories through video — creating two-minute segments that captured the heart of what I was reporting.
It was a great run, and the publication I was writing for — LaborPress — is a fantastic organization. The publisher had strong relationships with people in politics and organized labor, which opened the door to covering impactful stories across the city.
But the work was tough. I schlepped video hardware all over the five boroughs, hauling a sturdy tripod and gear bag up and down subway stairs. I chose a heavy-duty tripod on purpose — I wanted to protect my equipment and get steady, high-quality footage. It was an adventure, but a physically demanding one.
Eventually, I shifted to more community-centered journalism. I partnered with a New Jersey-based startup called TAPinto, which offered a great model: local editors could focus on reporting while TAPinto handled the technology. I ran the Upper East Side edition, covering neighborhood stories and civic life.
TAPinto is also a solid organization — many of its editors are deeply embedded in their communities and put in countless hours of on-the-ground reporting. But then came March 2020. COVID hit, and the advertising market that sustained local news collapsed almost overnight.
So, another pivot was necessary. That’s when I found an opportunity with the Appalachian Mountain Club, working out of Rockland County, New York. By that time, my wife and I had moved to Westchester County, so the commute was finally reasonable.
For two years, I worked as a Visitor Services Specialist, helping thousands of people each month discover outdoor adventures in Harriman State Park. It was fulfilling, people-centered work — and the Appalachian Mountain Club is another great organization doing meaningful things.
But as a nonprofit, AMC eventually made the decision to centralize its operations, and I was furloughed in November 2024.
Rather than despair — though I did briefly pursue a digital marketing role, having completed a course over the summer — I chose to pivot once again. This time, back to my roots in Information Technology.
And that’s where I am now
I started MarcB IT because I’m confident I can help people in my community — individuals and small businesses alike — with their tech needs. After years of storytelling, reporting, and customer service, I’ve returned to my roots in technology, now armed with new skills and a fresh perspective.
I recently earned an industry-standard CompTIA certification, reinforcing my technical foundation and commitment to professional excellence.
Interestingly enough, those digital marketing skills I picked up last year are already proving prescient. I now run my own Google Ads campaigns to promote MarcB IT, combining tech know-how with digital strategy to reach the very people I hope to help.
So, if you’re in Westchester County — or even beyond — and need friendly, reliable, and knowledgeable tech support, consider reaching out to MarcB IT. I’d be glad to help.