Why I Chose a BS in IT for Financial Freedom and Remote Independence

🎓 Why I Chose a BS in Information Technology to Reach Financial Freedom and Remote Independence

By: Idi Ooko
Aspiring DevOps Engineer | Rogue AI Architect | Frugal Systems Builder

🌍 From Hustles to Strategy: Why IT?

The exact moment I realized side hustles alone weren’t enough came when I found myself completely drained — trying to juggle extra responsibilities at work, keep up with trading and flipping loops, and stay socially active. On top of that, I wasn’t being selected for IT roles inside my own company, and my living situation left me uncomfortable and far from family. It was a low point: too much energy spent on hustling, and not enough on building something lasting.

That’s when it clicked — I didn’t just need “more work,” I needed leverage. And for me, that meant pivoting into IT, where skills, systems, and strategy compound over time.

🧠 Why WGU’s BSIT?

Choosing Western Governors University was simple: I didn’t have to start over. My Associate’s in Theatre transferred in, letting me immediately begin a bachelor’s program without piling on extra prerequisites. On top of that, WGU isn’t just a degree — it builds certifications directly into the coursework. That means I’m not stuck paying for a degree and then shelling out again for certifications. Each step is verifiable progress.

• Accelerated + Competency-Based: I can move as fast as I can prove my knowledge.
• Stackable Credentials: Security+, Network+, AWS Cloud Practitioner, and more — all built into the degree.
• Aligned With My Projects: My Rogue AI Second Brain and homelab server become part of my learning, not distractions from it.

💻 Projects That Keep Me Learning

The proudest projects I’ve built so far are my AI Second Brain dashboard — a local Streamlit + Python system that helps me track memory, tasks, and Security+ prep — and my CasaOS-powered homelab server, which hosts my personal media and forces me to get hands-on with Linux every day. These aren’t just side experiments; they double as living labs where I test the same skills I’ll use in IT roles.

💼 How It Aligns with Remote Work and Earning Goals

🧭 My 5-Year Mission Plan

I treat life like an RPG with tracked phases. My degree is one questline in a larger roadmap:

• Year 1–2: Earn Security+, finish BSIT, and land my first remote IT role.
• Year 3: Start MSIT while stacking AWS, Linux+, and CI/CD knowledge.
• Year 4: Blend remote tech income with creative work (modeling, AMVs, blog, embroidery).
• Year 5: Work remotely from Mexico, Bali, and beyond — saving aggressively in strong-USD locations.
• Year 6: Reach financial independence through maxed-out Roth IRA, 401k, and multiple income streams.

💡 What Financial Freedom Feels Like

For me, financial freedom isn’t about luxury. It’s the peace of being able to sit down and eat without feeling stressed about every dollar. I’ve dealt with money trauma — even when I had $5,000 saved, spending $5 could trigger panic. I want the comfort of choice, without always sacrificing quality for survival. That’s the independence I’m working toward.

✍️ Closing Thoughts

I don’t have all the answers yet — IT is tough because so many entry-level jobs still demand experience you can’t get without a job first. But what I do know is this: if it’s the path you want, stay hungry. Share your progress, your projects, your story. You never know who’s watching and willing to give you that first shot — whether it’s an internship, a contract, or a job.

This degree isn’t just a credential for me. It’s a lever. It bridges where I am now to where I want to be — not just in income, but in freedom. And with every course, every certification, and every system I build, I’m closer to living life completely on my terms.

If you’re like me — someone who learns by doing, thinks like a builder, and dreams of owning your time — then this path might be for you too. Let’s build the life we deserve. One credential, one project, one rogue system at a time.