Tara Jacobs

“I never really knew how to communicate professionally or sell myself in an interview, but with the management and development team at Per Scholas, I was able to build on my mindset, my character, and my technical skills. I am grateful for Per Scholas in many ways.”

Tara’s experience with Per Scholas inspires many prospective learners. Thanks to the skills she learned through her training, Tara already had multiple interviews and job offers lined up before she completed her Per Scholas course back in November 2019. After graduating, Tara landed a technology position with Global IP Networks, which provided a fulfilling career while enabling her to provide for herself and her children.

However, her life didn’t always have this positive outlook. Prior to joining Per Scholas, Tara was in a women’s shelter in Houston and faced many challenges. There, she found out about Per Scholas and decided to move to Dallas with her father.

From here, Tara’s life began to turn around. Tara credits the Per Scholas Dallas management team with the positive impact on her life and experience. They connected Tara with essential resources such as child care and funding for study materials like a personal computer. Tara says, “What motivated me was knowing that I have this support to help me succeed and that others believed in me. Everything was up to me, but they helped me get to where I am now.”

Tara notes that Per Scholas’s support motivated her to push through the training and aim for a tech career that would provide much more than simple financial stability. She found her way onto a dynamic and fulfilling career trajectory.

After graduating and moving to Austin, Texas, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Despite the job uncertainty and numerous layoffs, Tara remained stable in her tech career. Her skills were

essential, and rather than losing her role, she received a raise during this crisis period.

She reflects on how Per Scholas helped her beyond her technical training: “I never really knew how to communicate professionally or sell myself in an interview, but with the management and development team at Per Scholas, I was able to build on my mindset, my character, and my technical skills. I am grateful for Per Scholas in many ways.” Next up, Tara plans to receive additional certifications and learn coding, expanding her skillset and opening up more opportunities for the future.