On Friday, November 1st, 2018 Per Scholas celebrated the graduation of the pilot Network and Help Desk IT Career Course in Baltimore, Maryland. With support from Champion partner, TEKsystems and Baltimore-based community partner, Living Classrooms Foundation, graduates completed a 15-week course focused on troubleshooting and maintaining computers, software, networks and mobile devices. The course also provided the opportunity for students to earn CompTIA’s industry recognized A+ and NETWORK+ certifications.

TEKsystems colleagues instrumental in the development and implementation of the curriculum in Baltimore included Faith Johnson, vice president of human resources at TEKsystems and Franklin Reed, director of diversity and inclusion. ““It has been an amazing journey for us and the students as we’ve watched them progress through the course in pursuit of their goals,” said Faith Johnson. “We sincerely believe a course like this can change the trajectory of someone’s life, and we’re so moved to see them take the next step in that journey.”

Community partners, Living Classrooms, provided both the program site for the pilot course as well as support for the professional development training that students received as part of a comprehensive soft skill and technical training curriculum preparing them for the workforce.

The graduation was held at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park in Baltimore and included keynote remarks from Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations, Kelly Schulz.

Class valedictorian, Zobaria Iqbal, shared with the crowd, “when I applied I was scared because I didn’t have an IT background. But Per Scholas believed in me and gave me a chance. They provided me with training and support.” She also offered remarks specific to her technical instructor, Michael Boggs, saying, “I have never had a teacher with such passion for his students. His knowledge is unbelievable and his teaching style is out of this world.”

On Thursday, September 27th 100 guests gathered for Diverse by Design’s 2nd Annual Jeffersonian Dinner hosted at the home of Tony Spinelli, Per Scholas National Board Member and Chief Operating Officer & President, Cyber Division at Fractal Industries Inc.

The tradition of a Jeffersonian dinner began at the home of Thomas Jefferson in the early 1800s. Gathering together thought leaders and influencers across a broad range of issues, then President Jefferson posed a challenge for the group, and encouraged spirited debate throughout the evening.

In accordance with the tradition, Diverse by Design invited voices across a number of technology industries that included C-Suite leaders, recruiters and hiring managers in cybersecurity, IT and talent development to discuss actionable solutions employers can leverage to build more diverse and inclusive workplaces. The dinner was a starting point to a conversation and a network to foster substantive changes powered by an employer network in the National Capital Region.

The dinner’s host, Tony Spinelli, challenged the group to commit to strengthening their workforce through intentional sourcing, recruiting and hiring practices. Jeff Senne, Managing Director, PwC followed with remarks that included concrete examples for how PwC is challenging their existing structures from leadership to entry-level positions. According to Jeff, each person is responsible for championing inclusion in the workplace. The spirited discussion that followed continued late into the evening. The culminating moment was a “report out” where individual employers and corporate representatives reflected aloud to fellow employers in the room about reframing a “can’t do” attitude into an actionable strategy moving forward. Partners were encouraged to visit Per Scholas’ Silver Spring location following the event to have the opportunity to meet individuals trained in both cybersecurity and IT Support.

Thank you to everyone involved in the event. The evening was made possible by Platinum Level Sponsor Fannie Mae, as well as Silver Level Sponsors Kudelski Security, Synchrony Financial and Farm Credit Financial. For more information about the evening, Diverse by Design or Per Scholas, please reach out to [email protected] or visit the website www.diversebydesign.org.

On July 27th, Per Scholas, in partnership with Year Up, celebrated the graduation of the first Cyber Ops training in the National Capital Region supported by Per Scholas’ Champion Partner, Capital One. The Cyber Ops training graduated 22 students who have all been placed in internships and will continue their hands on learning opportunities, eventually targeting full-time technology roles. A keynote address was offered by Michael Johnson, Chief Information Security Officer, Capital One, who spoke to the value of partnership, and investment in the future of tech talent for the region. Per Scholas Alumni, Renique King, currently working on the Cyber Audit & Exam Liaison Team at Capital One shared her experience with graduates, friends, and families. Renique’s message echoed many of the core values embraced by both Per Scholas and Year Up, and she emphasized that the work is not over, but perseverance and networking pays off.

Per Scholas and Year Up, two national workforce nonprofits, are both committed to building skills and careers for untapped talent in the U.S. Both organizations have demonstrated successful models for providing market-based skills training to overlooked talent pools while solving the workforce needs of corporate partners. Per Scholas and Year Up launched a new partnership this year in the National Capital Region that offers advanced technology courses to budding young professionals.

Through coordinated recruitment, students are brought to Per Scholas for a condensed ten-week Cyber Ops training at Per Scholas’ new state of the art eSOC (Education Security Operations Center) funded by Capital One. After completion of the course, Year Up leverages employer connections to place students in a full-time six-month internship with supplementary career coaching and professional development. After completing the internship, Per Scholas and Year Up work together through business solutions team members to find successful graduates in full-time roles in the cybersecurity industry.

The Cyber Ops track allows students the opportunity to have hands on experience with addressing and data delivery, cryptography, ethical hacking, and python programming. The course also includes professional development training that prepares them for a rigorous interview process. Students earn an industry standard Cisco CCNA Cyber Operations Certification, widely recognized by hiring partners in the industry.

Congratulations to the first 22 graduates in their new internships! Per Scholas and Year Up are currently recruiting for the next Cyber Ops cycle with support of Champion Partner, Capital One.

Once you’ve finished your training and earned your certifications, you’re qualified for a great career, but you’ve still got to put your best foot forward to impress employers. Fortunately, Per Scholas has a team of amazing Career Advancement professionals with years of experience and knowledge to share with Per Scholas students and graduates.

Prior to working at Per Scholas, Diahan Collins worked for JPMorgan as a Team Leader in the Operations Customer Service Department for eight years. She also worked for Young Adult Institute (YAI) as an Employment Training Specialist and Family Service Specialist for over three years, and for FedCap Rehabilitation Services as Job Preparation and Placement Coordinator for a year. Now she helps prepare Per Scholas students for the job market as a Career Advancement Manager in Brooklyn. We asked her to share the most important advice for Per Scholas graduates to remember as they set out to land their next position. Here’s what she said: 

1) Make sure your resume is tailored to the position that you are applying for. Review the job description and key requirements carefully.

2) Make sure you are networking more than you are applying for jobs online. That is, interface with potential individuals who can lead you to an opportunity. Don’t forget about the folks who are already employed in your field. They can be a great help in your job search!

3) Don’t forget about the company that you desire to work for. Go directly to their website and apply.

4) When utilizing LinkedIn, make sure your profile is free of typos and your presentation is professional.

5) Effective tracking tools will help you organize your job search. Keep notes of the companies you have applied for, agencies you have registered with, number of interviews, references, and professional networks.

6) Your Career Coach and the Business Solutions Team are here to assist in your job search.

7) Don’t give up! The more No’s you get will bring you closer to your Yes.

Per Scholas is known across the country for its reputable workforce development model. Technical training, career advancement, and supplying a diverse workforce for the tech sector have become synonymous with the national nonprofit. But nearly two decades ago, Per Scholas was better known for its IT asset reconditioning.

In 1995, Per Scholas got its start by collecting used computers and recycling them to give to families and schools. There was even a retail store operated out of the Bronx, NY office which sold and repaired discounted tech equipment. As Per Scholas’ mission shifted from refurbishing computers to opening doors to technology careers, its asset recovery efforts changed too.

“We’ve consistently adjusted and improved our process for the better, in response to numerous industry requirements and specific client needs,” says ZuQuan Rooks, Director of Social Ventures.

Today, Per Scholas partners with a handful of vetted and highly-qualified recyclers to outsource its IT asset recovery services. The e-Steward, R2 and ISO-certified recycler Liquid Technology, has become a Champion Partner of the organization. Six years ago, Liquid Technology began hiring Per Scholas graduates and donating computer hardware, which led to a positive and mutually-beneficial relationship.

“Liquid Technology is highly pivotal in delivering this important business solution to many of our client-partners,” Rooks says. “Any revenue generated from valuable retired hardware goes toward our important social mission. We proudly share with our partners the specific impact of their material support and use of our asset recovery services.”

Brenda Rodriguez, Manager of Social Ventures, handles communications with clients, coordinates logistics, and manages Per Scholas’ relationship with recycling partners, such as Liquid Technology. “We’ve had to become more selective about which donations we are able to accept,” Brenda says about all the donation offers she gets on a daily basis. She adds, “Although any donation offers are appreciated, not all are beneficial to our mission.” We are careful to ensure that the related costs inherent with their collection do not outweigh the value and volume of the donated equipment.”

On behalf of Per Scholas, Liquid Technology audits, tests and re-markets any hardware that has residual value, and recycles all obsolete hardware in an environmentally-responsible manner. When it comes to the recycling of retired tech equipment, Eric DeRosa, Director of Sales, Liquid Technology, rhetorically adds, “Since responsible e-waste management is a bonafide business solution which companies are legally required to do anyway, why not make sure it’s performed in a compliant manner and supports a good cause?”

Since industry standards and requirements for legal compliance have grown tremendously, Per Scholas urges companies to put their hardware in highly-qualified hands. Fox Sports, Mastercard International, Ford Foundation, IRS, Montefiore Medical Systems, Queens Library System and Amazon.com, among others, have trusted Per Scholas with the handling of their retired IT assets.

Last year Liquid Technology, among others, helped Per Scholas recycle 139,490 pounds of equipment. That’s 732,581 total pounds of carbon emissions that were prevented from entering Earth’s atmosphere. That’s equivalent to 1,061,712 plastic bottles!

Although Per Scholas administrates its asset recovery business out of its New York office, the Social Ventures team works with and constantly seeks national and global clientele. If your company would like Per Scholas to collect and process its retired tech equipment to directly benefit motivated, yet under-served technology students, please email ZuQuan Rooks at [email protected] for more information.

In today’s shifting job market, having relevant technical skills is only half the battle of securing employment. Recently, 57 percent of 2,000 business leaders surveyed by LinkedIn identified soft skills as most important to them. With this in mind, Per Scholas has continuously put an emphasis on professional development.

Career coaches of Per Scholas work with students one-on-one, preparing them to become competitive job candidates by graduation. National Capital Region alumnus Ken Curry speaks fondly of his experience with Peyton Brooks, Director of Business Solutions. “Peyton focuses on the person. He knows how to tailor each resume to make students stand out with their unique skills.”

Before attending Per Scholas, Ken never had to job search. He worked in IT for a government contractor, but grew bored with his mundane routine. He then transitioned to the restaurant business. As much as Ken loved the fast-paced environment, working 12 to 14 hour shifts, 6 days a week, left him no downtime to spend with his wife and children.

In search of a more sustainable career, Ken enrolled in Per Scholas’ IT Security course. “It’s life changing for people who put time into it,” he says of his training. Even with prior experience, Ken had more to learn. The IT Security course at Per Scholas was the perfect opportunity for Ken to upskill and earn two certifications. After being out of the IT industry for 12 years, Ken realized that the hiring process had evolved. “With online job boards, it’s tough to get in front of people for an interview.” But Peyton helped Ken keep his resume simple and develop an authentic elevator pitch to attract employers.

During his job hunt, Ken was anxious to get hired. Peyton told him to be patient and broaden his scope. “Do everything they tell you to do,” Ken advises current and future Per Scholas students. After graduating in December 2017, Ken started his role as On-Site Customer Engineer for mindSHIFT, a Ricoh company, in March 2018.

With his flexible new IT job, Ken now has more time to spend with his family. “This turned out to be a great career changer. My position is well tailored to my skill set.” One of the most valuable things he learned from the career coaching services at Per Scholas was realizing his spot in the marketplace or “finding his niche”.

“Two years ago I was a full-time bartender,” Ken recalls. “Now I’m an ambassador for a great company.” Alumnus Ken Curry is just one example of how Per Scholas’ career coaching services are working in communities across the country.