Jason Egbo

“Per Scholas in one word? Family.”

For Jason Egbo, the fascination with technology started with a screwdriver and a game console. As a kid, he wasn’t just playing games; he was “hacking” his hardware, teaching himself to copy and paste files, and learning how to encrypt Windows devices. 

“I always had a passion for it,” Jason says. But passion alone doesn’t open doors.

After moving back to the U.S. from Nigeria following high school, Jason hit a wall. He applied for cybersecurity programs at traditional colleges, only to be told he needed more technical experience. He was caught in the entry-level paradox: he needed a job to get experience, but needed experience to get the degree.

He found his solution in the Per Scholas Satellite program.

The Per Scholas Satellite model is designed for learners like Jason—high-potential individuals who have the drive but are separated from urban tech hubs by geography. While the lead instructors were physically at the Cincinnati campus at CityLink, Jason and his cohort gathered at the Kentucky Career Center (KCC) in Covington.

This wasn’t just another remote course. Through a high-definition video transmission, the Cincinnati classroom was beamed live into Kentucky.

“I was at KCC, watching their faces on a screen in Cincinnati,” Jason explains. “But I wasn’t alone in a room at home. I was there with my people.” This hybrid environment allowed Jason to benefit from the Satellite experience: the elite curriculum of a major city campus paired with the tight-knit, local support of a neighborhood cohort. 

When Jason struggled with complex tech prompts, he had a family of peers physically beside him and instructors virtually, both equally invested in his success.

The Satellite program allowed Jason to walk away with a powerhouse portfolio of certifications, including:

• CompTIA A+
• Google IT Support Professional
• IBM Cloud Computing Fundamentals
• ServiceNow Academic Certifications

“I’m still shocked,” Jason reflects. “They taught us things that should take a year to grasp in just three months. It was not just about the tech, it was about who I became as a professional.” 

Through Per Scholas’ Professional Development, Jason mastered soft skills that gave him the confidence to navigate a corporate environment.

The impact of the Satellite model is best seen in Jason’s daily life today. As a Service Desk Analyst at Encore Technologies, Jason is no longer the one looking for a way in—he is the one providing the way out for others.

Every day, Jason provides critical remote hardware and system support for large regional healthcare and financial institutions, including Fifth Third Bank, TriHealth, and The Christ Hospital. Using sophisticated ticketing systems such as ServiceNow and BMC Helix, he troubleshoots end-user issues in real time.

“Personally, I have more experience now. I know how to land a job, and I understand the IT work environment,” Jason comments. 

The financial stability from his role isn’t just a paycheck; it’s a foundation. It is currently helping him fund his next big leap: starting university to finally earn that Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity.

Jason’s story is a blueprint for the future of tech access. It proves that talent is everywhere, even if opportunity isn’t. By using technology to teach technology, the Satellite program removes the location barrier to success.

Now an alum who frequently returns to Per Scholas for further training, most recently for his Network+ certification, Jason has a message for future learners: Don’t rush. “Even if you feel poor performing at the beginning, you’re going to get better. It’s a learning curve that everyone goes through. If you have determination, you’re going to be fine.”