Transforming Lives: Per Scholas Alumni Success Stories
Per Scholas, a national organization dedicated to advancing economic mobility, has been transforming lives for over 25 years by providing tuition-free technology training to individuals from underserved communities. Through rigorous training programs, industry-recognized certifications, and professional development, Per Scholas equips its learners with the skills and confidence to launch successful careers in the tech industry. This article highlights the inspiring stories of Per Scholas alumni who have overcome obstacles, seized opportunities, and achieved remarkable success.
From Mixed Martial Arts Dreams to Application Development: Fabio's Journey
Fabio, a first-generation Haitian-American and Boston native, didn't initially envision a future in technology. His childhood was marked by challenges, with his parents facing addiction early in their lives, leading to his grandparents raising him and his two older siblings. In high school, Fabio's passion for wrestling ignited a dream of pursuing a career in Mixed Martial Arts.
However, the financial demands of such a career led him to enlist in the National Guard as a 68W Combat Medic after graduating high school, where he obtained his NREMT certification. While working at a hospital, an injury sustained during training for a Mixed Martial Arts fight prompted him to reevaluate his professional path.
In 2018, Fabio began teaching himself Javascript through Udemy. In 2021, he discovered Per Scholas and enrolled in their training program in November. Fabio recalls his affinity for electronics, “having immigrant grandparents raising me, they had a hard time setting up their internet and other electronics, and I would find great joy in reading instructions and learning about the equipment.”
Throughout his rigorous training at Per Scholas Greater Boston, Fabio mastered HTML, CSS, JAVAScript, Git, SQL, and other essential skills. “The course work was in-depth and rigorous,” he reflected. He credits Per Scholas Greater Boston’s training for helping him understand the application development process and the flow of data within the Bullhorn ATS system.
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Fabio is a strong advocate for Per Scholas, stating, “I would hire a Per Scholas graduate because the learners know what it means to work hard when you have all the odds against you.”
Hiba Abbaker: From Computer Science in Sudan to Cloud Computing in Boston
Hiba Abbaker, another Per Scholas Greater Boston alumna, graduated from the AWS re/Start training in January 2021 and is now working for Slalom_Build, a MassTLC member company. Hiba's interest in technology began in her childhood and continued through her computer science studies in Sudan.
After moving to Boston at the start of the pandemic, Hiba faced challenges in finding employment. She discovered Per Scholas through an online advertisement and applied for the AWS re/Start training, where she was accepted. Soon after graduating, Hiba secured a position at Slalom_Build as a Platform Engineer. She implements reusable tools and self-service capabilities with automated infrastructure on the cloud, improving developer experience and productivity.
Hiba credits the intensive five-month training at Per Scholas for providing her with the confidence and experience to transition from her computer programming background to a cloud computing role. “Per Scholas training is based on collaborative work, so all the graduates are great team players."
Angel Juarez: From Part-Time Crafts Store Employee to Software Engineer at American Express
Angel Juarez's story exemplifies the transformative power of Per Scholas. At 19, Angel was working part-time at a Michaels crafts store, earning less than $15,000 a year. He yearned for a better future but felt that coding boot camps were financially out of reach.
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After seeing an ad for Per Scholas, Angel enrolled in the program. Eight years later, he is now a software engineer at American Express, earning $150,000 a year. “I don’t really even know what [my life] would have been without Per Scholas,” he said.
Sara Peña: From Music to Software Development
Sara Peña's journey to a fulfilling software development career began with a passion for helping others. With a background in music from Berklee College of Music and experience in sales at Bose and a music software company, Sara's career path took a turn when the pandemic hit.
Realizing the need for a more resilient career, Sara explored coding and discovered Per Scholas. Despite facing financial challenges, including job loss and student loan debt, Sara applied to Per Scholas and embraced the opportunity to pivot to technology.
Sara recalls a defining moment during her admissions interview: “I’m going to pursue this with my whole heart. I am passionate about technology." She acknowledges that the training was challenging at times, but her determination and the support she received at Per Scholas kept her motivated.
Today, Sara is a successful Software Developer, attributing her success to her positive experiences at Per Scholas. She found a sense of community among software developers and other learners at Per Scholas, and her learner mindset, passion, and ambition propelled her to this new opportunity.
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The Per Scholas Model: A Skills-First Approach to Workforce Development
The success stories of Fabio, Hiba, Angel, Sara, and countless other Per Scholas alumni underscore the effectiveness of the organization's skills-first workforce development model. This model combines intensive technical training, professional skill development, and employer-aligned pathways.
Per Scholas President Caitlyn Brazill emphasizes the organization's high expectations for its learners: “We have high expectations because we know that every single one of our learners can meet and exceed them."
A key aspect of the Per Scholas model is its close collaboration with employers to ensure that training aligns with real hiring needs. By understanding the demands of the local market, Per Scholas tailors its courses to equip students with the skills and knowledge that employers are seeking.
Per Scholas offers 12 to 15 courses at a time across the country, ranging from software engineering to cybersecurity to IT support. The courses are also tailored for students to apply to companies in their local market.
Beyond Technical Skills: Professional Development and Support
Per Scholas recognizes that technical skills alone are not enough to ensure career success. The organization also provides comprehensive professional development training, including presentation and interview skills.
Veronica, a Per Scholas alumna, emphasized the importance of human skills in the IT field: “People in IT get a bad reputation for not knowing how to communicate and just doing independent work, but it’s not like that. You have to communicate and work as a team.”
Per Scholas instructors focus on both technical skills and human skills. “People in IT get a bad reputation for not knowing how to communicate and just doing independent work, but it’s not like that,” she explained. “You have to communicate and work as a team.”
Furthermore, Per Scholas provides its alumni with ongoing support and resources, including access to alumni networks and upskilling opportunities. This commitment to long-term success helps graduates stay on a positive upward trajectory in their careers.
Participants of the upskilling program earn about 32% more than they were earning in their first job out of Per Scholas training.
Addressing the Tech Talent Gap and Promoting Diversity
Per Scholas plays a crucial role in bridging the tech talent gap and promoting diversity in the industry. By providing training to individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, Per Scholas helps create a more inclusive and equitable tech workforce.
The Per Scholas median learner is 30 years old, has some college credits but no degree, though 40% of participants have a bachelor’s degree. The classrooms are diverse in age, circumstance, and previous work experience, which offers “a clearer, more realistic replication of what a workplace is than most educational environments,” Brazill said.
TEKsystems and Per Scholas have worked together to bridge the diverse talent gap in America’s technology workforce and help job seekers make a more streamlined, direct connection to in-demand employment opportunities.
Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Success
The stories of Per Scholas alumni are filled with examples of individuals who have overcome significant obstacles to achieve their goals. From financial hardships to lack of prior tech experience, Per Scholas learners have demonstrated resilience, determination, and a willingness to work hard.
Dayna, a single mother of two young children, decided to take the leap and apply to Per Scholas’ end-user desktop support training. It was definitely hard, but I kept looking at my kids. "There were many late nights studying,” she explained.
Ashwini took part in the virtual training while her husband worked from home and her oldest child attended virtual school. “It was like being in full-time college again but add on hectic juggling life,” she said. “My family really stepped up, though. My husband and mom were so supportive. The dedicated Per Scholas instructors helped bring her skills up to date.
Terrell grew up in Detroit, one of four children raised by a single mother, who passed away when he was 15. With the support of his wife and three daughters, Terrell began Per Scholas training, while also working on his master’s degree in cybersecurity. Despite his IT background, he found the Per Scholas coursework intense. Yet, his family was in his corner encouraging him, “Hey, dad.
Amber Braaten, a mother of seven in her forties based in Arizona, was out of work and recovering from her fourth surgery in six months, before she took a remote IT support course with Per Scholas.
These stories serve as an inspiration to others who may be considering a career change or seeking to improve their economic prospects. Per Scholas provides a pathway to success for those who are willing to put in the effort.
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