Marie Cari

Growing up as a first-generation Albanian American in New York, Marie Cari learned early on what it meant to carry the weight of expectation without a roadmap. While her parents gave everything they could, navigating the complexities of American school systems, extracurriculars, and college applications was a journey Marie had to figure out on her own.

Marie excelled academically, earning college scholarships. But without full financial coverage, the reality of surviving in New York hit hard. To keep herself afloat and enrolled in school, she took on an overwhelming schedule—juggling coursework alongside grueling shifts at retail stores.

“I was at the brink of sheer exhaustion. It was completely unsustainable, and I ended up dropping out of school without telling my parents. I felt so exhausted, like I was never going to get my degree or find a real career.”

Refusing to give up on her future, Marie set her sights on moving into the tech industry. While researching alternative pathways, she came across a story about a woman who had successfully moved into the technology industry without a traditional degree. That discovery led her directly to Per Scholas.

At first, the opportunity almost sounded too good to be true.

“I was super skeptical because when I was looking at other coding bootcamps in New York, they were starting in the tens of thousands of dollars range. If I had that kind of money, I wouldn’t have been in that situation in the first place! Per Scholas offering this training at no cost was an absolute game-changer. There is truly nothing like it,” she adds.

Marie took a chance and enrolled in the 2022 Software Engineering cohort. 

“My journey is a total 180,” Marie shares. “I went from working long weeks at minimum wage, feeling like my goals were impossible, to having a thriving career, finishing my degree without going into debt, and being able to lift up everyone around me.”

Over the course of the intensive software engineering program, she mastered the full MERN stack, which included MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js. This allowed her to gain hands-on experience building complex, full-stack web applications from scratch.

Just as crucial as the technical rigors was the holistic support system Per Scholas wrapped around every learner. She credits her career coaches for helping every learner, from networking skills to job searches and contract negotiations.

Equipped with market-relevant technical skills and professional polish, Marie landed a six-month contract as a full-stack Software Engineer at Bank of America.

Her versatility and adaptability quickly set her apart. When her team went several months without a dedicated User Interface (UI) developer, Marie leaned into her full-stack training from Per Scholas and stepped up to cover front-end responsibilities. 

Recognizing her work ethic and drive, her manager invited her to take on additional leadership duties. Marie seized the opportunity, earning her Certified Scrum Master credential (along with a second professional certification) to manage team sprints, release paperwork, and Jira workflows.

Within six months, Bank of America converted Marie from a contractor into a permanent, full-time Software Engineer.

The financial stability and comprehensive benefits from her role didn’t just change Marie’s life—they protected her entire family when they needed it most. Shortly after transitioning into her full-time position, Marie received devastating news: her father was diagnosed with cancer.

“Had I not done Per Scholas and been able to land this career, I would not have been able to take care of him and my family,” Marie reflects softly. “The benefits of Per Scholas haven’t just impacted me—they’ve had a ripple effect on my family and my entire community.”

Alongside supporting her family, Marie achieved a historic milestone… she moved into her own apartment, becoming the first woman in her family’s lineage to achieve complete financial independence.

Marie continues to lift up those around her. She has become an influential ambassador within the Per Scholas alumni network, regularly speaking to prospective partners and future learners—including high-profile speaking engagements at the New York Times and a special panel at the United Nations.

Inside her tech role at Bank of America, she serves as an ambassador for the Women’s Employee Network, where she organizes panels for incoming interns and hosts informational sessions for new Per Scholas alumni. She also dedicates her personal time to mentoring young women and underrepresented groups in tech through organizations like Breakthrough Tech, Rewriting the Code, and Girls Who Code.

“Getting more women—especially immigrant women—into tech is so important to me. The higher I advance in my career toward becoming a senior developer, the easier it will be for me to open doors for others,” Marie explains. 

As she looks toward the future—with goals of pursuing a Master’s degree or PhD and climbing into senior leadership—she offers a vital piece of advice for anyone standing where she once stood: “Figure out your ‘why’ and remember it. Tech is rigorous. When you feel like you don’t belong, having your ‘why’ reminds you of the bigger picture.”

Her journey shows that with perseverance and community partnerships, anyone can make strides in the tech landscape.

“Per Scholas gave me the tools, the skills, and the community to transform my life. If you hold onto your purpose, you will get through the hard times and achieve things you never thought were possible,” Marie adds.