Aasif Allen

For Aasif Allen, the path to a career at Microsoft didn’t begin in a computer science lab—it began in a church production booth and a high-pressure restaurant. While many see tech as a field of logic and code, Aasif’s journey is a story of faith, vulnerability, and a life-changing partnership between Per Scholas, TEKsystems, and Microsoft.

Today, Aasif is a Data Center Technician for Microsoft, but his road was paved with moments of deep uncertainty and a single leap of faith.

Before discovering Per Scholas Phoenix, Aasif was working in the restaurant industry. While he had always been a tinkerer who jailbroke software and built his first computer a decade ago, his tech interests remained a dormant hobby. Eventually, the industry’s burnout became impossible to ignore.

“I was at a very low point personally and had no direction,” Aasif shares candidly. “I wasn’t in the best financial spot either. I constantly prayed for purpose and clarity in my life at that time.”

The spark reignited when he began serving on his church’s production team. Managing live streams and troubleshooting hardware reminded him of the joy he found in tech. When a Per Scholas video ad appeared on his screen, he decided to submit an application. 

Aasif enrolled in the Data Center program at the Per Scholas Phoenix campus. Walking into the downtown classroom on the first day, he wasn’t sure what to expect, but he quickly realized he wasn’t alone.

“I took my guard down and saw that my classmates were in the same position,” he says. The program provided a rigorous technical foundation, leading him to earn a Cisco Networking Essentials certification, a milestone he once thought he’d have to achieve entirely on his own.

However, Aasif credits the development of his soft skills as the most transformative part of his time on campus.

“Professional development was a big part of my being able to apply for jobs and to get into that mindset of pursuing a job and making myself marketable. Brainstorming with my classmates, doing mock interviews, and refreshing my resume gave me that edge.”

What makes Aasif’s story a standout is the direct pipeline he entered upon graduation. Through the “Raising Talent” program, Per Scholas graduates receive a clear pathway into the Microsoft ecosystem through TEKsystems.

Directly after graduation, Aasif began a contract with TEKsystems supporting Microsoft data centers. This wasn’t just a job; it was an apprenticeship in one of the most sophisticated tech environments in the world.

“I was working in their data centers, working with hardware, replacing internal components, and doing network configuration,” Aasif explains. “There were quite a few of us who came over from Per Scholas. Having those relationships and carrying them over into a professional working field was wonderful.”

At the end of his contract, the partnership provided a final, life-changing opportunity: a direct interview for a permanent role. “That preparation, having that experience from Per Scholas and turning over to TEKsystems… I took that over to Microsoft, had an interview, and got the position as a full-time technician.”

Aasif is a firm believer that no one reaches the top alone. He emphasizes that the community he found at Per Scholas was just as important as the certifications.

“Surround yourself with people who are in the same boat as you, looking for the same type of opportunities. You can go further when you have a good group around you. Trust your gut, give it a fair shot. There’s not anyone that can’t do it. You’re your best friend or your worst enemy—you have to make the most of it.”

He encourages prospective learners to be forthcoming about where they are and to seek out constructive criticism as a tool for growth.

Reflecting on his life before and after the program, Aasif describes the change as total: “It’s night and day from where I was before Per Scholas to where I am now,” he says. “Personally, I feel more confident in where I’m at and where I’m going. Financially, I’m making more than I ever made before.”

Aasif is a lifelong learner. While working full-time at Microsoft, he is also pursuing a Computer Science degree, which he expects to complete next year. He is already talking with his managers about upskilling into Cloud Solutions, eager to see where his new skills can take him next.

Aasif Allen’s story proves that the cloud is more than just servers and data—it’s a place where second chances are built, and prayers are answered through hard work and the right partnership.