Mason Williams

After almost a decade of bouncing between call center work and security, Mason Williams was ready for a change.

He had tried college twice, but it never quite clicked. “I felt like I was going through the motions and the same routine every day for years,” he recalls. “I finally got frustrated—and motivated—enough to do something about it.”

Mason was working as a security guard at the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island (JCC) when a Per Scholas Satellite classroom opened right there in the building. He’d always been fascinated by tech as a tool we use daily, and he was drawn to the industry’s constant evolution.

Deciding to apply for the IT Support program was the easy part; taking the leap was harder. “I deferred my training for one semester, partially because of my fear of the unknown and partially because I had become too comfortable in my old position.”

Mason eventually took the plunge, resigning from his job to enroll in the 2023 JCC cohort. While the uncertainty was daunting, he found strength in his peers. “I loved being around like-minded individuals who were taking the same leap of faith.”

The bootcamp was fast-paced, but Mason thrived, noting that the coursework taught him “how to be a problem-solver and think like a tech professional.” He also valued soft-skills training: “Per Scholas professional development teaches you how to carry yourself in the business world, not just in tech.”

Within a month of graduating in Spring 2023, Mason landed a role as a Center Station Officer at Scutum Digital. “I find my training at Per Scholas comes in handy when the phones start acting up!”

Today, Mason is continuing his growth as an Imaging Technician at ICP. The career shift has impacted more than just his paycheck; it has changed his mindset. “[This] has emboldened me to take more risks in my life, not just professionally but personally as well.”

As for the advice he offers new learners? “If this is something that you want to do and you think it would change your life, don’t give up on it. I didn’t, and I’d do it all over again. My journey has only just begun.”