Dianne Numkena

Before discovering Per Scholas, Dianne Numkena was already no stranger to the tech world. She had spent several years as a software developer but realized that programming day to day wasn’t her passion. Looking for something more creative, she stepped away from her technical career—but life had other plans.

The time away from tech was challenging. “I got sick pretty bad. I was in the hospital for quite a long time. My house flooded, so it was being rebuilt,” Dianne recalls. Emerging from these hardships, Dianne found herself essentially starting over. 

Two years out of the tech industry, she quickly realized how much the field had evolved. “If you’re not staying up to date with tech, it’s really hard to break back in since there are always evolving skills that you need to relearn,” she says.

To make ends meet, Dianne took on various roles while testing the waters for her next move. Eventually, she landed a job at her local library as a technology assistant, helping patrons troubleshoot tech issues. It was here that she discovered a new passion: blending technical knowledge with customer interaction. 

“I didn’t even know I liked that because as a software developer, you’re kind of siloed and you sit in your cubicle and code all day… seeing their happy faces when you troubleshoot their problem or teach them something new, I felt that more fulfilling than what I was doing before,” she shares.

This realization led her to Per Scholas Phoenix. After researching programs that could help her return to tech without breaking the bank, she stumbled upon an ad for Per Scholas. The program not only offered training and certification exams but also provided the structure and support she needed. 

At the beginning of the program, Dianne was introduced to the Zero Percent Loan. After weighing the pros and cons, she realized it would provide the stability she needed while committing to full-time training.

“It truly is 0%… You don’t repay until you have your first job making over a certain threshold,” Dianne shares. With a three-year term and no added interest, she describes the monthly payment as manageable—“It’s not that bad, it’s like paying a utility bill.”

Now that she is repaying the loan after securing her role in tech, Dianne views the program as critical support during a pivotal time. She also appreciated knowing that repayment could be paused if circumstances changed, providing additional peace of mind. “It’s a blessing in disguise, honestly,” she shares. 

Once enrolled, Dianne found her cohort to be a cornerstone of her learning experience. She quickly found camaraderie and collaboration. “We really gelled together… We had study sessions and mini quizzes, and we made sure we all learned the subject together. It was like our own little mini community that we all wanted the best for each other,” she remembers fondly.

Her instructors and staff also played a crucial role, helping Dianne connect classroom learning with real-world applications. “Hearing the instructors’ previous experiences was great… some of them came back to help learners even after getting their own certificates, which I thought was really neat,” she says. This support, combined with structured learning modules, helped her navigate the course confidently and effectively.

After graduating, Dianne quickly landed a Tier 1 IT Support Specialist role, applying the skills she learned at Per Scholas daily. From hands-on hardware fixes and network troubleshooting to managing software updates, she experienced firsthand how classroom knowledge translates to the workplace.

Dianne has since transitioned into her current role as an Instructional Technology Professional Development Coordinator, combining technical expertise with leadership and customer service. She oversees instructional technologies, creates learning manuals, and supports staff before IT escalations, bridging the gap between curriculum needs and technical solutions. 

“It’s kind of crazy because all my years of experience culminated in this… my software development background, my IT training from Per Scholas, and my customer service experience all came together,” she says.

Looking ahead, Dianne is focused on growth and upskilling. She hopes to move into more technical leadership roles, such as IT Manager, or explore creative tech paths like UX design or product analysis. She is also considering additional Per Scholas upskilling courses, such as Python automation, to further enhance her growing skillset.

Reflecting on her journey, Dianne describes her Per Scholas experience as “Rewarding. It was fun, different, and honestly, life-changing.”

For anyone considering Per Scholas and transitioning to a tech career, she offers simple advice: “Do it. It’s literally no cost—you just have to commit your time. The instructors, your classmates, and the opportunities afterward are incredible. If you’re looking to change your life, it’s totally worth it.”