Amira Lions

After 20+ years in commercial transport and then employee benefits, Amira Lions knew it was time for a change. Tech had always intrigued her, but trying to break into the field on her own proved frustrating and isolating.

“I was trying various avenues…learning on my own, joining groups, watching tutorials. I’d get stuck, and there was no one to ask questions,” she recalls. 

That’s when she found Per Scholas Seattle.

“Many prior trainings were intense, but not structured. At Per Scholas, it was different,” she says. “We had a live instructor, the training times were long, and we had full access to robust platforms. It was the most intense and well-organized learning experience I’d come across.”

But for Amira, it wasn’t just about structure—it was about community.

“One of the biggest things I missed learning on my own was camaraderie. At Per Scholas, I could ask questions, get help, and stay motivated. That made all the difference.”

Years of trying and not quite getting there had chipped away at Amira’s self-belief. But finishing the Per Scholas course helped restore her confidence.

“People don’t talk about this part, but when you keep signing up for courses and don’t finish, you start to doubt yourself,” she says. “Per Scholas changed that. They were there to support us through everything. They made sure we had every opportunity to finish.”

And Amira did. She completed the program, earned her certifications, and emerged with renewed self-confidence and results. Today, Amira works as a Data and Constituent Services Specialist, supporting volunteers and users through Microsoft Dynamics. 

“Per Scholas helped me land this contract—and it even got extended. They made employers take a second look at me,” she says.

Amira is not stopping there. Her sights are now set on cybersecurity, and she’s already taken the next steps, signing up for the Google Cybersecurity Certificate offered through Per Scholas’ upskilling programs. 

She also recently began working with the company that provided her with a Zero Percent Interest Loan during her training. They offered her a part-time internship that fits her busy schedule and exercises her tech skills.  

Amira doesn’t mince words when it comes to what made her Per Scholas journey possible.

“I had pretty much run through my savings trying to make boot camps work. I was right on the edge,” she says. That’s when she learned about the Zero Percent Loan during orientation. 

Unlike many boot camps, which cost thousands upfront, Per Scholas offers a no-cost tuition model and the optional Zero Percent Interest Loan through a financial partner to help cover living expenses during training.

“I tried to work during the beginning of the course, but the homework was intense. The Zero Percent Loan made it possible for me to focus, to breathe.”

She also credits Per Scholas’ financial and lifestyle counselors for helping her immensely: “I had help finding resources I didn’t even know existed. It was a full circle of support.”

And don’t be fooled by the tuition model, she warns: “People think if it’s no-cost, it’s not worth much. That couldn’t be further from the truth. This was one of the most intense, serious programs I’ve ever taken. Take it seriously—because it’s the real deal.”

Amira describes Per Scholas in two words: supportive and holistic.

“This is not just a tech course. They take care of the whole learner. They helped me academically, professionally, and personally. You just don’t get that with other training. They want your money, and they want you to take the course that’s easiest to place you—even if it’s not what you want. But Per Scholas? They give you tools and let you chart your own path.”

Amira also appreciated the peer support from her cohorts.

She is still on the path—learning, growing, and building her future one certification and opportunity at a time.

“Within five years, I see myself in cybersecurity. And I’m going to keep working on certificates that Per Scholas offers. That’s something I want new learners to know—if you finish the course, there’s more waiting for you.”

Amira’s story is a testament to the fact that the Per Scholas journey doesn’t just open doors; it helps you walk through them.