Mishelle Esser

Mishelle Esser: A Journey of Resilience, Passion, and Purpose  

For Mishelle Esser, the journey to a career in tech was as much about perseverance as it was about passion. A military spouse and mother, Mishelle’s path has taken her across continents and through countless challenges, but her love for technology remained constant.  

With a background in Management Information Systems and degrees at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels, Mishelle had always felt a deep connection to tech. She worked on database design and scripting in the past, but life’s demands—including raising multiple children and supporting her family through military relocations—made it difficult to fully pursue her dreams.  

When she heard about Per Scholas’ Women in Software Engineering (WISE) program, Mishelle saw the perfect opportunity to reignite her career in tech without the financial burden of a costly bootcamp. “I knew I needed to return to IT, but spending $20,000 on a bootcamp just wasn’t feasible,” she recalls. “Per Scholas offered the support and structure I needed to build my skills and prepare for the future.”  

The program wasn’t easy, but Mishelle embraced the challenge. From learning the basics of HTML and CSS to mastering complex JavaScript functions, APIs, and full-stack development with MongoDB, Express, and JWT Web Tokens, she immersed herself in the coursework. Along the way, she collaborated with classmates on projects in an Agile environment, honing both technical and teamwork skills.  

“There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, but the view at the end was breathtaking,” Mishelle says. “The support of my instructors, particularly Teo, who guided us with expertise and empathy, and the encouragement of my family kept me going. My husband stayed up with me late into the night, and my kids cheered me on—even if it meant eating leftover food and instant noodles.”  

Graduating in March 2024 as the class valedictorian, Mishelle didn’t just complete the program—she thrived. She expanded her skills with additional projects involving GraphQL, Vue, and TypeScript and is now pursuing certifications in Java and AWS.  

Mishelle acknowledges the challenges ahead, from navigating a male-dominated industry to competing in a crowded job market. But she remains undeterred. “We’ve already proven our grit and tenacity by making it this far,” she says. “This isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of something amazing.”  

To those considering a career in tech, Mishelle offers this advice: “Embrace challenges as stepping stones to success. Pursue your passion relentlessly, and let it propel you toward your goals. Stay committed, stay curious, and remember: there’s no turning back on the path to success.”  

With her unwavering determination and a strong foundation from Per Scholas, Mishelle is poised to make her mark in the tech industry, proving that resilience and passion can turn any dream into reality.