Zhenya Sakal

For most of her life, Zhenya Sakal lived in the world of history. After earning a Ph.D. in the subject, she immersed herself in research and teaching for years following the academic path she had built. But when her historical work concluded in 2021, she found herself at a crossroads. 

“I started to explore other paths I might be interested in,” Zhenya shared. She had always loved the challenge of “untangling things,” whether complex historical texts or intricate puzzles, and she began to wonder how those analytical skills might serve her in a completely new field.

Despite her deep knowledge and experience in history and teaching, she found herself unemployed and uncertain about her future. The job market was tough, and the leap from academia into a different career felt overwhelming. But everything began to change with a simple Google search of a name she’d seen before: Per Scholas.

Zhenya had known about Per Scholas for years but hadn’t been able to pursue it due to timing and location. In 2023, those barriers lifted when she moved to Chicago, where she had access to a local Per Scholas campus that offered AWS re/Start training. She also realized the world was rapidly moving to the cloud: “Everything is in the Cloud,” she noted. 

Excited and a little nervous, she applied. That decision would become, in her words, “one of those events that were life-shaping in so many ways.”

Once in the program, Zhenya threw herself into learning. “I really enjoyed the educational part,” she said. The curriculum was broader than she expected, not just focused on cloud computing, but on foundational IT skills, Linux, and networking. She especially valued the mock interviews and the supportive environment built by instructors and fellow learners. 

“It taught us how not to be afraid: to ask questions, to voice concerns, and to be confident. These are just as important as the technical skills.”

Zhenya leaned on Per Scholas’ network and career support team. The tech job market was tightening, but she received leads, encouragement, and coaching. Just three months after graduating, she landed a contracting role at Humana, facilitated through someone she had connected with via Per Scholas. After five months, she was offered a full-time position as a Cloud Services Engineer.

With her new role at Humana, Zhenya’s life changed dramatically. 

“There is no doubt about it,” she said. “It gave me peace of mind to have stability and a stable paycheck.” 

The emotional weight of uncertainty lifted. She moved to Charlotte and was able to start saving for the future. More than anything, the stability allowed her to focus on her future, both personally and professionally. 

Zhenya isn’t just enjoying her career; she’s also helping others discover their potential. She’s referred two women to Per Scholas who, after graduating, also found jobs. She noted that it was great to see others succeed in their careers and have the same experience as hers.

She sees herself continuing to grow at Humana: taking on new responsibilities, deepening her skills, and gaining a role in leadership. “There’s always something new to learn in tech. It’s never boring,” she said with a smile. 

Zhenya continues to advocate for Per Scholas and its mission: “I encourage people to apply. Any training program is great. I’ve seen success in so many people, not just myself.”

When asked to describe Per Scholas in one word, Zhenya didn’t hesitate: “Catalyst” because if you already have a strong desire for change, Per Scholas is a catalyst that can make it happen faster. Her journey from an unemployed academic to a thriving Cloud Services Engineer is a powerful testament to the impact of opportunity, support, and accessible training. “It allowed me to change my life and my family’s life in so many positive ways,” she said. “From the stress of unknown, unstable work…I can now focus on other things in life.”

Zhenya’s story is a clear example of the transformative power of Per Scholas: unlocking potential, creating economic mobility, and building futures that once seemed out of reach with a pivotal career change.