Mitchell Young

Growing up, Mitchell Young was captivated by anything that had a screen, a motherboard, or a power button. From video games to the inner workings of computers, technology was his passion. But as he entered adulthood, that childhood passion felt entirely out of reach.

To pay the bills, Mitchell took a job working as a security guard. He spent his off-hours teaching himself web and software development, but without guidance, professional networks, or financial backing, the bridge to a real tech career seemed broken.

“Without programs like Per Scholas, getting into tech felt impossible due to the financial cost of traditional education,” Mitchell shares. “College was expensive, and I suffered from a lack of knowledge and support.”

Determined to find an affordable path, Mitchell began researching alternative tech programs. Hungering for more knowledge and eager to diversify his skill set into infrastructure and hardware, Mitchell discovered Per Scholas.

“Some of the biggest challenges I faced pursuing tech were things like getting out of my comfort zone,” Mitchell comments. “Forcing myself to get out and network with others, working on my public speaking skills, and building up my confidence in myself, both with my non-technical and technical skills.”

Per Scholas provided the exact ecosystem Mitchell needed to grow. The intensive curriculum modeled real-world expectations. By treating the classroom like an enterprise environment, Mitchell learned how to:

• Navigate a corporate setting
• Master rigorous interview strategies
• Communicate effectively under pressure
• And more 

“My experience at Per Scholas was eye-opening. While the coursework was extensive, I was motivated. I wanted to learn more and more as the program went on, and being around other classmates who were just as interested in tech as I made the experience so much better.”

By graduation, Mitchell had accumulated a powerful toolkit of credentials, including his CompTIA A+ certification, a Google IT Support Professional Certificate, and vital OSHA training.

Immediately after graduating from Per Scholas, Mitchell leveraged his unique blend of software knowledge, hardware certifications, and security background to land a life-changing role as a Data Center Technician at Google.

Mitchell now walks into a cutting-edge Google data center every day, applying the exact methodologies he mastered during his training.

“Technical skills like troubleshooting are a big part of my daily routine. But being open-minded, utilizing teamwork, and cooperation have been huge soft skills I rely on as well.”

The transition from a security guard’s hourly wages to a career in big tech has fundamentally rewritten the trajectory of Mitchell’s life. The growth has been financial, professional, and deeply personal. 

“Working in data centers is something I used to think I’d never reach. I can now help support my family in a way I never could before. Also, for my community, I have shown others that it’s not impossible to make a shift in their career pathway.”

“I love the company I work with [Google] and enjoy working in the tech space at a data center,” he adds. 

Mitchell finds his Per Scholas journey “pivotal.” And for those standing where he once stood? He offers a straightforward perspective:  “Take a deep breath, lock in, and go see what opportunities are on the other side.”

Opportunities like Per Scholas show that, with a little passion, a lot of motivation, and a willingness to learn, new career pathways are within reach for anyone.