Joe Guercio, E-rate Guide at Funds For Learning, with his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Walking across the stage to receive my degree from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) was surreal. In that moment, everything I had worked toward finally felt real, and ever since then, I’ve felt unstoppable.
Earning my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science wasn’t the end of something. It felt like the beginning. I’ve been channeling that “new grad” energy directly into my work at Funds For Learning, especially in the development of our internal and external systems. My goal is simple: keep pushing myself and deliver the best work possible.
A Mindset That Carries Forward
If there’s one thing I took away from college, it’s this: you can learn anything given the right resources and time.
That mindset shows up in how I approach my work every day. Whether it’s diving deeper into the E-rate process or learning the technical side of the tools we use (or will be using), I’m always looking for ways to grow. Graduation didn’t close that chapter. It reinforced how much more there is to learn.
Learning to Think Bigger
When I look back to my first day as a Guide in May of 2024, the biggest difference in how I work now is how I approach problem-solving.
Early on, I came in pretty gung-ho. I wanted to jump straight to what I thought was the answer. Now, I take a step back and ask, “How far does this travel upstream or downstream?” I think about what other dominoes a change might knock over.
That shift has helped me better understand how our systems connect and how decisions ripple across teams. It’s changed how I approach both the technical work and the broader impact of what we’re building.
When It All Clicked
One of my first big moments at Funds For Learning came when I was tasked with adding a feature to a website that allowed users to upload an Excel spreadsheet to speed up SKU searches.
It required pulling in a coding library and making some deeper code changes, but it clicked. I remember thinking, “Oh yeah, I’ve done this before.”
That was one of the first times where everything I learned in school connected directly to real work. It made the entire college experience feel even more worthwhile.
The People Make the Difference
One of my favorite parts about working at Funds For Learning is the team.
I can be unapologetically myself, and so can everyone else. The Guides here are incredibly accepting, inviting, and inclusive. Everyone is genuinely willing to help however they can, and it really feels like we all appreciate each other’s efforts.
That kind of environment makes it easier to take risks, learn, and push yourself further.
Courage Through Fear
My path to graduation wasn’t always easy. Coming from small-town Oklahoma as a first-generation high school graduate, stepping into college was intimidating.
I had a lot of doubts—whether I was smart enough, whether I’d succeed, or whether I’d have to come back home feeling like I’d fallen short.
But one idea stuck with me: “There is no courage without fear.”
Fear became my motivation. I remember studying for weeks before a cybersecurity final, fully convinced I might fail. That fear pushed me to overprepare, and I ended up passing confidently.
Joe receives his diploma onstage at the UCO commencement ceremony, marking his journey as a first-generation college graduate.
That experience shaped how I approach challenges even now.
If I had one piece of advice for anyone balancing school, work, or just chasing something that feels out of reach, it would be this:
Dare to do what you desire most.
You don’t get courage without stepping through fear.
Closing Thought:
Graduating was a major milestone for me, but what matters most is how I carry that momentum forward. At Funds For Learning, I’ve found a place where I can keep learning, keep building, and keep pushing past what I thought I was capable of, and I’m just getting started.
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Joe is one of the Guides who make Funds For Learning what it is. Meet the team.
