Natori Haynes

For many looking into tech careers, the biggest hurdle isn’t just learning the hard skills—it is overcoming the internal doubt that says, “Can I really do this?” 

For Natori Haynes, the doubt was real. But through determination, a tight-knit community, and training provided by Per Scholas, Natori transformed her life. She went from working as an airport valet to becoming a successful IT professional at Southwest Airlines, more than doubling her income and stepping into her potential.

Naturally inclined toward hands-on problem-solving, she initially set her sights on a different trade. The turning point came entirely by chance during a shift at the airport, where someone mentioned Per Scholas.

The roots of Natori’s analytical mind ran deep. Growing up, her mother had enrolled her in a specialized school, though the career guidance at the time missed the mark on tech.

“I never even thought about going to school for tech—even though I love building, I love using my hands, I love problem-solving, I love talking to people. My school was the foundation of it all. My mom putting me into a STEM school was really the foundation for me.”

However, returning to a classroom environment for the first time since high school brought hurdles. Beyond the academic stress, balancing everyday costs without a full-time income was a concern. 

To bridge this gap and ensure she could focus entirely on her studies, Natori participated in the Zero Percent Loan program. This resource provided her with an interest-free loan to help cover her basic living costs during her time as a learner. 

As for the emotional hurdles? “I just really started believing in myself and trusting myself. From there on, I was able to defeat those challenges of thinking that I couldn’t do it—and I could,” Natori comments. 

She credits her tech breakthrough to a few major factors:

1. The unwavering support of her fellow learners
2. Her family’s love, especially her mother and fiancé, who encouraged her through the program and the barriers she faced
3. A transformative Professional Development (PD) instructor who helped the self-described introvert find her voice

Beyond the technical certifications, Per Scholas places a heavy emphasis on business communication and career readiness. For Natori, this proved helpful. 

“Per Scholas really helped me to step out of my box, and that goes from learning, talking, communicating, just shining my light,” she adds. 

After finding her voice, Natori launched a career transformation that truly shows the growth and opportunities inside the tech world. After landing her first full-time role, she leveraged her skills to advance. 

Her first role was at SMS Infocom. She started as a Server Repair Technician and eventually moved into a Failure Analysis Engineer role. 

Natori later transitioned to Dell, where she worked as a Field Technician repairing computers across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

One day, a simple, efficient repair job turned into her next life-changing career leap: “I met this guy at Southwest, his name is Ishmael. I had repaired his keyboard so fast that after it all, he found me on LinkedIn and sent me an open position at Southwest. I ended up getting the job.”

Today, Natori is an integral part of Southwest Airlines’ on-site technology team. Her daily routine is dynamic, collaborative, and deeply fulfilling, including:

• Managing walk-up troubleshooting requests in the corporate “Tech Zone.”
• Setting up desks and rolling out new hardware
• Collaborating with the Audio-Visual (AV) department on conference room setups
• Diagnosing networking and connectivity infrastructure directly at the switch level

“I enjoy all aspects of working at a Data Center. Every day looks different— it’s really just all over the place, wherever I need to help that day. For example, sometimes we’ll go in helping with cabling, because somebody’s desk can’t get the LAN, and so we have to go downstairs and fix that with the switches.”

The deep-level technical training from Per Scholas Data Center program has become so ingrained in Natori’s mind that she now troubleshoots instinctively: “Now it’s like a muscle memory for me when it comes to hearing problems with computers. I’m able to remember things and able to fix problems without even having to look them up. I love the tactile nature of fixing computers and networks.”

Natori also credits tech for its client-facing aspects and for helping her lift the spirits of those she serves.

The trajectory of Natori’s life has altered drastically since her days in the airport parking lot. The growth she experienced spans her financial reality, self-worth, and long-term career goals.

Natori isn’t planning on slowing down. With a strong IT foundation firmly established, she is eyeing the next frontier of the digital landscape.

“I would say to not count yourself out and to believe in yourself. Stay positive through it all. You can accomplish and do all great things.”