Gratitude in Transition: 13 Years at T-Mobile

After 13 years at T-Mobile, my journey with the company has come to an unexpected close due to a layoff. While that’s never an easy sentence to write, this post isn’t about frustration or regret—it’s about gratitude.

T-Mobile gave me far more than a paycheck. It gave me opportunity, growth, and a career path I’m genuinely proud of.

I started my time there as a NOC technician, eager to learn and willing to put in the work. Over the years, through hands-on experience, mentorship, and countless challenges, I was able to grow into a network engineer. That progression didn’t happen by accident—it happened because T-Mobile invested in its people and because I was surrounded by colleagues who were generous with their knowledge and time.

To my teammates, mentors, and leaders over the years: thank you. Thank you for answering questions, reviewing configs, troubleshooting late nights, and pushing me to think deeper about networks and systems. Much of what I know today—both technically and professionally—came from working alongside incredibly talented people.

That experience also spilled into my personal life in the best way possible. What I learned at work fueled my passion for technology at home, especially my homelab. Bits and Backups exists largely because of that curiosity—because I enjoyed building, breaking, fixing, and learning outside of work just as much as inside it. T-Mobile helped give me the foundation that made those hobbies possible and meaningful.

While this chapter has ended, I’m thankful for every year of it. I’m thankful for the growth, the challenges, the friendships, and the confidence that comes from knowing I can adapt and continue forward.

Change is uncomfortable—but it’s also an opportunity. And I’m carrying a lot of gratitude with me into whatever comes next.