Marcus Knighton

“Stay hungry—hunger feeds success.”

Before Marcus Knighton ever wrote a line of code, he spent his days bouncing from job to job, doing what he had to do just to get by. He worked at a soap factory, picked up trash at a theme park, parked cars as a valet, and had other various jobs. 

But no matter where he was, one thought stayed with him: “I know I’m meant for more than this.” 

That’s where Per Scholas came in.

Marcus had always been curious about technology. As a kid, he loved breaking things apart to see how they worked. But life didn’t give him a straight path to explore those interests. By the time he heard about Per Scholas through a friend, he was in a place many people find themselves: working hard, but with no clear way forward.

He applied, unsure of what to expect. What he found wasn’t just a training program; it was a launchpad for a career in technology. From day one, Marcus felt something different at Per Scholas Atlanta.

The training wasn’t just filled with computers—it was filled with people who believed in each other. Instructors challenged and encouraged; career coaches listened and pushed; classmates came from all walks of life…but all shared a common goal: to build a better future.

“Per Scholas didn’t just teach me tech. It taught me structure, confidence, and how to carry myself in a professional space. It gave me something I hadn’t had in years: a real sense of direction,” Marcus commented.

For Marcus, it was the first time he had a consistent schedule that centered on his growth. That routine allowed him to dive deep into IT skills and gave him the space and confidence to go back to school and continue his education.

After completing the program, Marcus landed a role as an IT Career Explorer for Roadtrip Nation’s ‘Chip In’ series. Following that unique opportunity, he started his role as an Innovation Hub Tech Support Analyst with Accenture.

For the first time, he wasn’t surviving. He was thriving. Marcus recalled the moment he bought a ticket to Japan—something that had once felt like a fantasy. It was written on his vision board before he ever walked into Per Scholas, and he’s now crossed off multiple items from that board: traveling, saving for a home, and giving back to his community.

The Per Scholas experience allowed Marcus to give back. He didn’t stop at his own success. He now leads Hour of Code programs across Georgia, introducing thousands of learners to the world of coding, many of them from the same kinds of neighborhoods he grew up in.

“They look at me and see someone who gets it. Someone who came from the same place and made it in tech. That’s powerful,” he said. 

He’s also returned to his high school to speak with students, showing them firsthand that technology isn’t out of reach. Through partnerships with organizations like Next IT Girls and STEAM Truck, Marcus brings STEM experiences directly into underserved schools. 

His mission is simple: open doors for others, just like Per Scholas opened one for him.

When Marcus describes Per Scholas, he doesn’t talk about classes or certificates—he talks about family. Even after graduation, he returns to the Atlanta campus to mentor, support, and serve on the alumni board. He knows firsthand how critical the program’s structure and community were to his success, and he wants others to feel that same support.

“There’s something special about walking into a place where people see you, not just as you are, but as what you could be.”

Per Scholas didn’t just prepare Marcus for a career. It helped him rewrite his entire narrative—from wondering what’s possible to knowing it is. Marcus is now studying engineering and exploring his passion for robotics and AI. But no matter how far he goes, his mission remains rooted in economic mobility and access.

He is one of thousands of lives transformed by Per Scholas. His journey is proof that talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t. When we invest in learners, including Marcus, we don’t just change their lives; we change communities and build futures.