This is a guest post from Yellow Tail Tech, one of the financial supporters that helps ensure our site remains a free news resource.
Loki Alohikea, a former security guard and aspiring musician, has transformed his life and career, landing a role as a Senior Consultant at Red Hat after completing Yellow Tail Tech’s Lnx for Jobs program.
“Most courses teach you how to pass a test,” Alohikea said. “Yellow Tail Tech teaches you how to solve problems.”
Yellow Tail Tech helps motivated professionals with little to no IT background build high-paying careers in tech through industry-aligned programs in Linux and cloud technologies. Its Linux for Jobs program is tailored for working adults, offering structure, mentorship and real-world experience.
Alohikea’s journey, which began with financial struggles and a shot at stardom on “America’s Got Talent”, is now a story of upskilling, career change and success in the world of govtech.
From the spotlight to job security
In 2019, Alohikea appeared on national television as a contestant on “America’s Got Talent” Season 14, advancing to the Judge Cuts stage. But when the show ended, he returned home facing the same reality he had before — working long shifts at an energy plant in San Antonio for just $11 an hour, splitting rent with a roommate and wondering what came next.
“I loved performing, but it wasn’t enough to build the kind of life I wanted,” Alohikea shared. “I realized I needed something more stable and future-proof.”
Alohikea’s initial exposure to tech came through conversations at work. Curious and motivated, he began studying on his own, earning his CompTIA Security+ certification and landing an entry-level Help Desk Technician job. That role turned into a Windows System Administrator position supporting government agencies. Within a year, Alohikea’s income had more than quadrupled.
Still, he felt stuck.
“I was grateful, but I knew I wasn’t where I wanted to be yet,” he said. “I kept applying to higher-level roles, but I kept hearing the same thing — I didn’t have the right experience.”
The Linux gap — and the search for structure
While reviewing job listings, Alohikea noticed one common thread: Linux.
Nearly every high-paying role he wanted required Linux skills. Determined, he turned again to self-study — watching YouTube tutorials, reading forums and trying courses on Udemy. But something was missing.
“I didn’t have structure. I didn’t have support. I was learning in pieces with no real direction,” he explained.
That changed when he discovered a podcast featuring Paloma Vilceus, co-founder of Yellow Tail Tech. Her message about structured learning and career-focused training resonated.
“I wasn’t looking for a bootcamp that rushed you through certs,” Alohikea said. “I wanted to understand Linux. I wanted to be job-ready.”
Despite already having two years of IT experience, Alohikea enrolled in Yellow Tail Tech’s Linux for Jobs program. To him, it wasn’t a step backward — it was an investment in long-term growth.
The program stood out for its hands-on labs, direct path to Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) certification and a simulated apprenticeship experience designed to mimic real-world production environments. Alohikea especially appreciated the focus on command-line fundamentals and the program’s unique integration of networking and Linux principles.
“Coming from a Windows background, I was used to right-clicking and visual interfaces,” he said. “Linux made me think differently. It gave me a much deeper understanding of how systems actually work.”
A key highlight of the program, according to Alohikea, was the instructor.
“Our instructor actually worked at Red Hat,” he said. “So we weren’t just learning theory — we were getting real-world insights from someone who lives this every day.”
Collaborating with peers in study groups also helped reinforce concepts. “When you’re able to teach a topic to someone else, that’s when you really know it,” he added.
The apprenticeship phase, while not perfect, added value to his learning. Alohikea admitted that some of the tools used felt outdated and that stronger mentorship during the project period would have helped.
“But even with its limitations, the experience gave me a sense of what it’s like to work in production environments,” he said. “With some updates, it could be a powerful part of the program.”
A rapid rise in govtech
After graduating from Yellow Tail Tech in July 2024, Alohikea landed a Linux System Administrator role in the government sector — before even taking his RHCSA exam.
Within months, he was promoted to Linux Systems Architect. Soon after, he received an offer to join Red Hat as a Senior Consultant, where he now helps secure and automate infrastructure for high-security government systems.
Today, his tech toolbox includes:
- Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
- Red Hat Specialist in Deployment and Systems Management
- AWS, Packer, Ansible, Satellite
- Scripting languages like Python, plus front-end skills in HTML and CSS
“Having both Windows and Linux experience makes me flexible,” he said. “It’s that ability to move between environments that sets you apart in today’s job market.”
Looking ahead: Cloud, automation and AI
Alohikea has his sights set on the future. He’s currently diving into cloud-native technologies like OpenShift and exploring opportunities to work with Red Hat’s AI division.
“I want to be part of projects that shape what’s next,” he said. “Automation, AI — those are the frontiers I’m aiming for.”
To fellow mid-level IT professionals, Alohikea’s message is simple: don’t assume you already know everything.
“You might think you’ve got it figured out, but there are gaps you don’t know you have,” he said. “Yellow Tail Tech helps you close them.”
And to his peers in government roles?
“Don’t let your clearance be your only asset. Keep learning. What you know — your skills, your mindset — that’s what no one can take from you.”
Reflecting on his journey, Alohikea credits Yellow Tail Tech with helping him take control of his future.
“Tech gave me a life I never imagined possible,” he said. “Yellow Tail Tech gave me the training and confidence to own that life.”Ready to start your transformation? Book a 10-minute intro call and begin building your career in IT — one command at a time.
