Arnell Darden

Arnell’s journey to Per Scholas began with a moment of clarity. After more than a decade in customer service, he realized he had hit a ceiling. “Customer service taught me a lot, but it was limiting. I didn’t want to move into management, and I didn’t see a path to the income or future I wanted for myself and my family.”

In 2024, Arnell began exploring new possibilities. He considered business school and technology, but felt unsure about both. “I honestly thought I was too old to start a business career. Companies hiring for those roles often prefer younger candidates. But tech felt different; it felt open.”

So he searched online for no-cost tech training options in Detroit and found Per Scholas. “I saw a window open. I reached out in November, and Britney got back to me. She was so gracious and informative. I knew right away Per Scholas was where I wanted to be.”

Arnell applied for the IT Support course and appreciated how thorough and intentional the admissions process felt, with assignments, interviews, and introductions. “It got me into the mindset. It made it feel real. And I knew I wanted a place where learning was face-to-face, so the hybrid model was perfect.” When his cohort began on April 7, 2025, he immediately noticed what would become the most meaningful part of the experience: the people. “There were 20 of us in my learner cohort, including college-aged learners, people in their 40s, folks from all kinds of professional and cultural backgrounds. That mix was incredible. On the first day, we all shared our ‘why,’ and that mattered. A 13-week course can be overwhelming. But knowing why you’re there grounds you.”

Arnell, married with two children, prepared his family for the shift. “They were used to me being home. I’d been working remotely since 2018. But once class started, I was locked in. I knew this was the path to the life I wanted for us.” He also had to navigate ADHD and found new tools for staying focused and confident. “For the first time, I felt I had everything I needed to succeed.”

The learning was intense, especially the exam preparation. “It’s easy to feel unprepared at that pace. But we were more ready than we realized. As my IT instructor, Mr. G, told us, ‘You have to trust the work you put in.’” What made the biggest difference, however, was the community he helped build.

“I’m a writer at heart, so communication is my thing. I naturally stepped in to organize weekend study groups and tried to work with classmates to motivate one another. My classmates nicknamed me ‘Professor Nell.’ We supported each other’s strengths and weaknesses. That collaboration was everything.” His cohort group chat is still active, and a handful of them meet weekly for study, meals, and have even started recording a podcast together.

Arnell also credits Claire Bogrow, his professional development instructor, with a transformative impact. “What I learned from Claire will sustain me for the rest of my life. Not just interviews or résumés, but also leadership, communication, and presence. She helped make networking feel human. Now I can walk into any room prepared.”

Toward the end of training, job opportunities began to surface. Brandi, from the Per Scholas team, consistently sent leads. “We built a network in our cohort with a simple rule: if a door opens for me, I’m opening it for you.”

His first IT job came directly through a Per Scholas classmate at a financial firm. After just a month in that position, another friend reached out with news that a fast-growing startup, Ryze Superfoods, was building out its internal tech infrastructure and hiring.

Arnell applied. “My résumé was impressive because of the work we did at Per Scholas. That got me in the door. The interview skills Claire drilled into us got me the job.” Today, Arnell is an IT Engineer at Ryze Superfoods, earning more than twice what he made before Per Scholas. “I had a goal for what I wanted to earn within three years. I hit that number six months after graduation.”

His company is supporting his continued education, and he’s already studying for additional certifications.“My future feels wide open. I’m building the lifestyle I want for my family. This career is a vehicle for everything else I want to create.” There have been adjustments. His kids miss having him around full-time, but he knows the foundation he built with them from 2018 to 2025 remains strong. “I’m maximizing the time we have together now. And they’re proud of me.”

Arnell has recommended Per Scholas many times. “It’s no-cost. It’s life-changing. Whether your career changes immediately or gradually, it raises your potential and your confidence.” Arnell hopes to stay connected to Per Scholas and even expressed interest in future roles supporting outreach. “I’d love to go into schools and share my experience, to show people what’s possible.”

Reflecting on his transformation from customer service to a thriving IT career, he said, “I didn’t want to feel boxed in anymore. Now I don’t. My life feels bigger, and the future feels limitless.”