Karl Kuehn

For many, a degree is promised as a golden ticket. But for Indianapolis local Karl Kuehn, graduating with a degree in business and computer science didn’t lead to instant results. Instead, it led to a mountain of student debt and a professional reality that didn’t match his ambitions.

To chip away at loans, Karl took the jobs available to him: manufacturing and retail, which were disconnected from his passion for problem-solving.

“It just didn’t connect with my goals or where I saw myself,” Karl reflects. “I was searching for certifications, looking for a way to actually get my foot in the door of the tech industry.”

That search led him to Per Scholas Indianapolis. For Karl, it wasn’t just a school; it was the pivot point he had been looking for. Enrolling in the CompTIA A+ certification course, he found an environment that traded the isolation of a manufacturing shift for the energy of a collaborative cohort.

The instructors weren’t just teaching from a manual; they were building a community. “The whole team in Indianapolis… they really are passionate about what they do,” Karl says. “We were a close cohort—we even spent time together outside of class. That support makes you feel reachable at any time.”

One of Karl’s most vivid memories wasn’t a lecture, but a moment of tactile discovery: taking a computer apart for the first time. That curiosity for how things work under the hood soon became the foundation of his professional life.

The transition into tech is rarely a straight line. Karl’s first role post-graduation was at a troubleshooting firm. It provided essential entry-level experience. However, a layoff due to downsizing hit, and Karl didn’t panic. He called his Per Scholas career coach.

Through the Per Scholas network, Karl was connected to American Art Clay Co, Inc. (AMACO). IT Manager Marty Dickerson and Senior IT Technician Ted Shockey were looking for more than just a resume—they were looking for “fire” and professional polish. Karl hit every mark.

Starting as a Junior Technician, Karl was quickly promoted to IT Technician. Today, he works on a small, high-impact team of three, managing a fleet of 200+ machines and around 150 employees.

His impact was felt almost immediately when leadership handed him a stalled software implementation project for the production side of the business.

“They handed it to me and said, ‘We don’t know how to use this, so you figure it out,’” Karl recalls. He didn’t just fix the existing bugs; he reimagined the tool from the ground up, condensing thousands of files into 50 and making the process seamless for production personnel.

In a poignant display of gratitude, Karl’s journey recently came full circle. Recognizing the importance of hands-on learning, Karl helped facilitate a donation of “aged-out” backup laptops from AMACO to the Per Scholas Indianapolis campus. It’s a way of “sowing back” into the organization, ensuring the next generation of learners has the tools he once used to build his new life.

Today, Karl describes his tech journey in one word: Learning.

“I’m making more money than I have in my entire life, which is nice, but it’s not just about the money,” Karl explains. “Per Scholas built the base of confidence I have right now to grow as a person and in my career.”

Now, when Karl sees others stuck in the same grind he once endured, he doesn’t hesitate to share the secret: “I went through this program, and it totally changed my career trajectory.”