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During my grammar and high school years, I wasn't particularly focused on academics, and I barely managed to graduate. Instead, my main priority was monetizing my ideas. I had a strong belief that my future would revolve around selling concert tickets and playing bass guitar for a rock and roll band.
     
Just as I was about to complete high school, my mother felt uncertain about my direction and had me undergo testing. Surprisingly, the testing agency suggested that I consider a career as either an electrician or a chef. Although I couldn't quite understand the connection between these two professions, I considered my passion for food and decided to embark on the culinary path.
 
I attended The Culinary Institute of America, renowned as one of the top cooking schools in the United States. Surprisingly, I found success in my studies and managed to graduate with a respectable B average, earning a two-year Associates Degree. This experience taught me two valuable lessons. Firstly, when I am genuinely interested in a subject, I have the ability to excel academically. Secondly, I discovered my inherent creativity, which I firmly believe stems from my culinary education. It was in the kitchen where I learned to think outside the box and find innovative solutions.
In fact, I challenge you to try making Cherries Jubilee without the cherries someday! It exemplifies the kind of creative problem-solving that my culinary training has instilled in me.   
 
       
I had been juggling two jobs simultaneously for the foreseeable future - a full-time position and a part-time gig. However, one day, I reached a breaking point and realized that I desired a shift towards a managerial role. Determined to make a change, I began actively seeking job opportunities that aligned with my aspirations.  
       
During one of my interviews, I received a disheartening remark: I was informed that without a four-year college degree, my chances of progress would be severely limited. This comment prompted me to carefully evaluate my options. Despite acknowledging that my high school academic performance might pose a challenge, my determination and ambition pushed me forward.  
       
Ultimately, the University of Houston recognized my potential based on my achievements at the Culinary Institute and extended an acceptance offer to the Conrad Hilton School of Global Hospitality Management. It is here where I learned the true meaning of service to clients and employees.  
       
For a span of seven years, I resided in Houston, Texas. During this time, I dedicated myself to a full-time role in department management within the restaurant industry. Simultaneously, I pursued my education by enrolling in school, maintaining a load of 12 credits per semester.  
       
Upon completing my academic journey, I proudly achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management, as well as a Master of Science degree in Accountancy with a focus on Cost Accounting. My academic performance was commendable, with an impressive GPA of 3.53 out of 4.0 for my master’s degree and 3.27 out of 4.0 for my bachelor’s degree.
 
       
It was during this period that a profound realization dawned upon me—I possessed the ability to triumph over any objective I set my mind to. Even conquering the formidable challenge of Organic Chemistry, which was a mandatory subject for my pursuit of Hotel and Restaurant Management, became a testament to my perseverance and determination.  
Freshly earning my master’s in accounting, I had set my sights on pursuing a career either in auditing or tax accounting. However, the unforeseen downturn in the oil industry during 1983 brought unexpected challenges to Houston. The repercussions of this economic shift became evident as job opportunities dwindled significantly; with only one position each being offered by the prominent "big eight" accounting firms.
 

Regrettably, I found myself compelled to return to the restaurant industry, a field I had hoped to move beyond. Every moment spent in that environment was marred by a sense of dissatisfaction and discontent. It felt akin to being trapped in a typecast role, where breaking free from the confines seemed insurmountable.

  
In 1991, a moment of profound realization dawned upon me—I needed to enact a comprehensive change in my life. Every aspect of it was beckoning for transformation. At that time, I found myself working as a restaurant manager, but deep within me, a passion for computer programming, which had taken hold during my earlier college years, remained steadfast.
 
       
With a firm resolve, I made the decision to take a work sabbatical and return to college once again. At the time, I was employed in New Haven, Connecticut. Carefully weighing my options, I determined that the University of New Haven would be the ideal institution to pursue my studies in Computer Software Engineering.  
       
As I embarked on this educational journey, I held a clear vision of how my life would unfold upon graduation. However, life had some unexpected turns in store for me. Surprisingly, my qualifications and expertise led me to assume the role of an adjunct professor at the university. I found myself teaching cost accounting to aspiring professionals majoring in Hotel and Restaurant management, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. It was during this period that I first experienced a strong inclination towards mentorship, realizing the fulfillment it brought to my professional life.
 
       
As I pursued my academic journey and enrolled in elective courses, a recurring sentiment echoed from various professors I encountered: "Steven, sitting in a secluded room writing code may not satisfy you in the long run. You'll likely find yourself gravitating towards sales or management roles." These words resonated deeply within me.  
       
During my studies, I came face-to-face with the concept of recursion in a data structures class. The complexity of the topic left my head spinning. As soon as the course concluded, I wasted no time and promptly visited the registrar's office to alter my major. I shifted my focus to Management Information Systems (MIS), recognizing that this field would provide the opportunity for a dynamic blend of technology and management.  

Interestingly, my final academic experience centered around database management. Little did I know at the time that this subject would become the cornerstone of my professional career. Since graduating with an MBA in MIS in 1994, I have been earning a livelihood in this very field.
 
Achieving a remarkable GPA of 3.93 out of 4.0, the sole blemish on my academic record was a B in the challenging Data Structures course.