Open to IT Support, Network Engineering & M365 Admin roles

Hello, I'm Donnie Avant.
I am self-driven, always learning, and building my future in IT.

I'm pivoting from eight years of hands-on technical trade work into IT, bringing a Full-Stack Web Development certificate, a fast-learning mindset, and real project-management experience with me. I'm targeting IT support, network engineering, and M365 administration roles where I can start simple, build real experience, and grow. What I'm looking for most is a team willing to invest in training and development.

Get In Touch My Background
Photo of Donnie Avant

About Me

From the shop floor to the server room.

I spent over eight years as a technical service specialist in the automotive coatings and protective film industry, running quality audits, training technicians, and managing technical documentation across the US and Germany. In 2024, I completed a Full-Stack Web Developer certificate through the Digital Career Institute (DCI) in Germany, and I'm now applying that same discipline — systematic troubleshooting, careful documentation, and a drive to get things right the first time — to a career in IT support and network engineering.

While studying web development, I discovered I enjoy the infrastructure side most: troubleshooting, keeping systems running, and supporting the people who use them. I'm now building on what I learned — HTML, JavaScript, Git, debugging, and how the web actually works — to focus on IT support, network engineering, and Microsoft 365 administration. I'm a fast learner, detail-oriented, and eager to be trained on the way your team does things.

I'm bilingual (English/German), hold dual US/German citizenship, and I'm comfortable working across technical and non-technical audiences — something I built directly by translating technical issues for clients and training apprentices for years.

Based in Germany — open to roles in Germany/EU and remote US.

8+ Years hands-on technical experience
2 Languages — English & German
2 Countries worked in — US & Germany
2024 Full-Stack Web Dev Certificate, DCI

Skills

What I bring to an IT team.

Technical Skills

Operating Systems

Windows 10/11, basic macOS and Linux (command line, file permissions)

Networking

TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, subnetting, VLAN basics; ping, tracert, nslookup

Microsoft 365

User & license management, Exchange Online, Teams, Entra ID (Azure AD) basics

Tools & Platforms

Git & GitHub, VS Code, PowerShell basics, ticketing systems (Jira, Freshdesk)

Web Development

HTML, CSS/SCSS, JavaScript, React, Node.js, Express, MongoDB, REST APIs

Currently Learning

CompTIA A+ (target Q1 2027)

From Wrapping Cars to Supporting Tech

Eight years as a professional vehicle wrap and PPF technician built habits that carry straight over to IT work.

In the wrap shop

Troubleshooting & quality control

Traced lifting, bubbles and adhesion problems back to their root cause, and standardized QC checklists that cut material waste by 40%.

In IT

Systematic troubleshooting, root-cause analysis & verifying fixes before closing tickets

In the wrap shop

Precision & planning

Measure twice, cut once: every vehicle planned panel by panel, working to tolerances where 1 mm off means redoing the job.

In IT

Careful change planning and accurate configuration, cabling & documentation

In the wrap shop

Software, tools & hardware

Ran a digital plotting system (XPEL DAP) and cutting plotters daily, worked with precision tools, and kept up with new films and techniques.

In IT

Learning new software fast; hardware installs, drivers & workstation setup

In the wrap shop

Standards & responsibility

Installed to XPEL certification and manufacturer warranty standards, and was trusted with clients' high-value vehicles every day.

In IT

Following vendor documentation & compliance; handling sensitive systems and data responsibly

In the wrap shop

Customers & training

Walked clients through options in plain language, set clear expectations, and trained new installers and apprentices hands-on.

In IT

Help desk service, end-user training & knowledge-base guides

In the wrap shop

Deadlines, teamwork & ownership

Hit fixed pickup times, coordinated installers and suppliers on fleet projects, tracked stock and job costs, and ran my own shop, DA Wraps.

In IT

Working to SLAs, clean team handoffs, asset & license tracking, and owning outcomes

Background

Education & Experience

Hover over an entry for details, or click it to keep it open.

Education & Certifications

    • Certified to install XPEL paint protection film to manufacturer standards
    • Daily use of the XPEL DAP digital pattern and plotting software
    • Official program: Weiterbildung zum Web- und Softwareentwickler (web & software developer), 1,700+ hours of training
    • Front end: HTML, CSS, SCSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript, DOM manipulation and React
    • Back end: Node.js & npm, REST APIs with Express, MongoDB, security & authentication
    • Foundations: Linux, Git & GitHub, object-oriented and functional programming concepts
    • Final project, “The Gamers” (224 hours): project management and hands-on development
    • Also included job-related German language training and soft skills
    • Certificate available on request. Request it
    • German master craftsman (Meister) qualification in sign and advertising technology
    • Covers advanced technical practice, business management and training apprentices
    • Completed in Germany, in German
    • Foundation in management, operations and business communication
    • Put into practice running my own business, DA Wraps
    • Auto body repair training: surface preparation, refinishing and collision repair
    • Where I first learned hands-on, detail-oriented technical work

Relevant Experience

    • Install paint protection film (PPF) on high-value vehicles to manufacturer certification standards
    • Carry out full and partial vehicle wraps in cast vinyl, including color changes and commercial graphics
    • Install large-format digitally printed graphics, matching panels and seams to the design
    • Prepare vehicles for installation: decontamination wash, degreasing and clay treatment, and careful removal and reinstallation of trim, badges, handles and lights
    • Operate a digital plotting system daily to cut precise, vehicle-specific film patterns
    • Serve as acting regional technical quality-control lead: set production benchmarks and inspect finished work before handover
    • Standardized QC checklists and inspections, cutting material waste by 40%
    • Built a defect-logging system from scratch
    • Centralized project data in a CRM to cut revision cycles
    • Consulted with clients and set clear project expectations
    • Negotiated with vendors and suppliers
    • Handled job costing and quoting
    • Delivered the technical work and final quality control

Full trade work history available on request or via LinkedIn.

Contact

Let's talk.

I'm actively looking for IT support, help desk, or junior network engineering opportunities. Send me a message below — I'd love to hear from you.

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